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[Normal values of the growth of the aorta in children. An angiography study]
S Rammos1, H H Kramer, H J Trampisch
1Abteilung für Kinderkardiologie, Heinrich-Heine-Universität Düsseldorf.
Insights
This study establishes normal diameter standards for the aorta in children using angiocardiography. These measurements aid in diagnosing and managing congenital heart disease, crucial for surgical decisions and follow-up care.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular imaging
- Pediatric cardiology
- Medical diagnostics
Context:
- Congenital heart disease diagnosis and management rely on accurate aortic measurements.
- Angiocardiography is a key imaging modality for evaluating cardiac structures.
- Establishing normative data is essential for interpreting pediatric cardiovascular assessments.
Purpose:
- To establish normal diameter standards for the aortic valve ring, ascending aorta, and descending aorta in infants, children, and adolescents.
- To provide reference values for angiocardiographic measurements used in congenital heart disease evaluation.
- To support clinical decision-making and postoperative monitoring in pediatric cardiac patients.
Summary:
- Analyzed 51 cineangiograms from pediatric patients without significant heart disease to determine normal aortic dimensions.
- Measured systolic and diastolic diameters of the aortic valve ring, sinus, and descending aorta, referencing them to body length and BSA.
- Excluded patients with specific aortic valve conditions to ensure data integrity for normative standards.
Impact:
- Provides crucial normative data for the pediatric aorta, enhancing diagnostic accuracy for congenital heart disease.
- Facilitates better surgical planning and risk assessment in pediatric cardiovascular interventions.
- Supports standardized follow-up protocols for children with or at risk of heart conditions.
Abstract:
Angiocardiography is a standard procedure for quantification and evaluation of congenital heart disease. Knowledge of the diameters at the level of aortic valve ring, ascending and descending aorta can contribute to the decision in repair of congenital heart disease. Moreover, they are helpful for postoperative follow-up studies. In order to establish normal standards, analysis was performed on 51 cineangiograms obtained from infants, children and adolescents with no evidence of heart disease (n = 16) or only hemodynamically irrelevant cardiovascular malformations (n = 35). The individual diagnoses in these patients appear in the accompanying publication in this issue. Patients with bicuspid aortic valve or subvalvular aortic stenosis were excluded from measurements of the aortic valve ring, the sinus and the ascending aorta. Angiocardiography was performed in a fasting state, after sedation and in the supine position with injections of contrast material in the pulmonary artery and or in the left ventricle and ascending aorta. For purposes of calibration, a grid or the known diameter of the catheter was used. Systolic and diastolic diameters of the aortic valve ring (AO-R), sinus (AO-S) and distal region, between sinus valsalvae and ascending aorta (AO-D), as well as those of the isthmus (DAO-I), postisthmic region (DAO-PI) and descending thoracoabdominal aorta (DAO-T) were measured. To obtain a mean value for each vascular structure, the corresponding systolic and diastolic diameters were averaged. The mean diameter was referenced to body length and body surface area (BSA).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)