The possibilities of computed tomography using heart-axis-oriented multiplanar reformations in diagnostics of the great arteries transposition

Abstract

This article contents the results of computed tomography with intravenous bolus contrast media administration data analysis in children with transposition and congenitally corrected transposition of the great arteries with the consequental performing of the multiplanar heart-axis-oriented reformations. Among 148 examined children transposition of great arteries was detected in 13 patients (9 boys and 4 girls aged 1-144 day of life); congenitally corrected transposition was found in 4 cases of children aged from 6 months to 15 years and 6 months (2 boys and 2 girls). In this article comprehensive anatomical criteria of each heart chamber morphology are presented and reformations where these criteria can be seen are shown. Also in the article is given comparative characterization of heart and great arteries structures in transposition and congenitally corrected transposition in every certain heart-axis-oriented reformation. By the results of consequently performed heart-axis-oriented reformations data analysis the peculiar anatomical signs of transposition and congenitally corrected transposition are determined. The results of data analysis show that from the list of offered reformations the peculiar anatomical signs of both kinds of transposition are significantly determined in long-axis of right ventricle inflow tract reformation, left heart chambers reformation, supply ventricle division reformation, short-axis reformation at the level of great arteries. Computed tomographic angiocardiography heart-axis-oriented multiplanar reformations permit full and correct assessment of heart and main vessels, which is important for planning of surgical treatment in congenital heart diseases.