Noninvasive imaging in congenital heart disease

Abstract

Imaging algorithms in congenital heart disease, as in the patient with acquired heart diseases continue to evolve, with more and more information gleaned noninvasively. The emphasis will be on the newer aspects of imaging, not cross sectional echocardiography with color Doppler.

Contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance angiography of the great arteries in patients with congenital heart disease: an accurate tool for planning catheter-guided interventions

“…Cross-sectional echocardiography and MRI are at present the leading techniques for advanced anatomical and functional imaging. Diagnostic catheterization with conventional angiography is limited to selected cases, in whom pulmonary vascular resistance need to be determined or specific anatomical conditions have to be addi- tionally clarified [2]. In contrast catheter-guided interventions are increasingly performed as alternative to surgery.…”

“…Imaging strategies continue to evolve and at present increasingly more information is gleaned non-invasively [1]. In routine clinical practice cross-sectional echocardiography has replaced cardiac catheterization as the preoperative imaging modality of choice for several patients with CHD [2]. In case of a limited acoustic window the anatomy can be well demonstrated by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) [3].…”

“…The number of diagnostic catheterization is drastically declining [2]. In contrast catheter-guided interventions are increasingly used as alternative to surgical therapy [11].…”

A prospective study of dobutamine stress echocardiography for the assessment of cardiac allograft vasculopathy in pediatric heart transplant recipients

“…Patients underwent DSE assessment at enrollment (pre‐existing transplant patients) or six months post‐transplant (new transplant patients) and then annually thereafter. DSEs were performed according to established institutional protocol (13). Studies were graded according to the American Society of Echocardiography 16‐segment model as either normal or abnormal.…”

Pediatric Cardiology and Cardiovascular Surgery: 1950-2000

“…Contrast echocardiography, cardiac CT, MRI, single photon emission CT perfusion imaging, stress echocardiography, tissue Doppler characterization, 3D echocardiography, PET, and intravascular ultrasound are but some of the newer imaging tools. 54 With these modalities, used in isolation or in combination, considerable information about cardiac structure, function, myocardial perfusion, and tissue characterization can be obtained. Fetal echocardiography has provided a new frontier for diagnosis, counseling, and treatment.…”