[Cardiac and vascular malformations]

Area of Science:

• Cardiovascular Medicine
• Medical Imaging
• Pediatric Cardiology

Context:

• Congenital heart malformations exhibit significant variability, ranging from asymptomatic incidental findings to critical conditions requiring neonatal surgical intervention.
• Echocardiography is the primary diagnostic imaging modality for characterizing cardiac and vascular malformations.
• Advanced imaging techniques like CT and MRI are reserved for complex cases, presenting challenges due to small anatomical structures and physiological parameters in neonates.

Purpose:

• To review the most frequent vascular, cardiac, and complex cardiovascular malformations.
• To discuss diagnostic imaging strategies for congenital heart disease.
• To provide an overview of malformations irrespective of the initial diagnostic imaging modality.

Summary:

• Congenital heart and great vessel malformations vary widely, with some detected incidentally (e.g., persistent left superior vena cava) and others necessitating prompt surgical treatment post-birth.
• Echocardiography remains the gold standard for diagnosing and assessing these malformations, offering detailed morphological and functional insights.
• While CT and MRI are valuable for specific complex cases, challenges in imaging neonates due to size and physiological rates exist; this review encompasses malformations regardless of the primary imaging modality used.

Impact:

• Enhances understanding of the spectrum of congenital cardiovascular malformations.
• Informs diagnostic imaging strategies for pediatric cardiology.
• Provides a comprehensive resource for clinicians managing congenital heart disease.