Related Experiment Videos
[Anomalies of the urinary tract associated with congenital heart diseases]
A Buendía Hernández1, J Vázquez, J Fuentes
1Servicio de Cardiología Pediátrica, Instituto Nacional de Cardiología Ignacio Chávez, México, D.F.
Insights
Congenital heart disease is often linked to urinary tract malformations. A study of 434 patients found 70 with such issues, highlighting the need for post-angiogram abdominal X-rays to detect these common, often asymptomatic, conditions.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Cardiology
- Urology
- Diagnostic Imaging
Background:
- Congenital heart disease (CHD) frequently co-occurs with congenital urinary tract malformations (UTMs).
- Early detection of UTMs is crucial for managing potential complications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the prevalence of UTMs in patients diagnosed with CHD.
- To evaluate the utility of plain abdominal X-rays in identifying UTMs in this population.
Main Methods:
- A cohort of 434 patients undergoing angiocardiography for CHD diagnosis was studied.
- Plain abdominal X-ray films were obtained post-angiogram to assess urinary tract anatomy and contrast excretion.
Main Results:
- Seventy patients (16.1%) exhibited UTMs.
- Pyelo-caliceal dilatation was the most common malformation (47.1% of UTMs), followed by double pyelo-caliceal systems (25.7%) and kidney hypoplasia (10%).
- Most patients with UTMs were asymptomatic.
Conclusions:
- A significant association exists between CHD and UTMs.
- Routine post-angiographic plain abdominal X-rays are recommended for CHD patients to screen for UTMs.
- Contrast urography may be indicated in select cases for further evaluation.
Abstract:
Due to the frequent association of congenital heart disease and urinary tract malformations we studied 434 patients undergoing angiocardiograms for diagnosis of their congenital heart disease. In every patient a plain abdominal X-ray film was made in order to observe urinary elimination of the contrast material. We found 70 patients with urinary tract malformations, the most frequent of which was pyelo-chaliceal dilatation, accounting for 47.1% of all the malformations found. A double pyelo-chaliceal system was found in 25.7%, kidney hypoplasia in 10% and in lower frequencies double urethers, kidney agenesia, pelvic kidneys, horseshoe-shaped kidney and others. Patients were usually urologically asymptomatic. In view of the frequent association of congenital heart disease and urinary tract malformations a plain abdominal X-ray film should always be performed postangiographically. In some cases a contrast urography is recommended.