Anatomic and functional imaging of congenital heart disease with digital subtraction angiography

Digital subtraction angiography (DSA) of the heart was performed in 54 patients for the evaluation of congenital heart disorders. DSA produced high-quality diagnostic images and accurate physiologic shunt data that compared favorably with catheter angiography and nuclear medicine studies. Retrospective analysis of this series of patients indicated that DSA studies contributed sufficient information to shorten significantly or modify cardiac catheterization in 85% (79/93) of the defects that were identified. Interatrial septal defects were particularly well diagnosed, with identification occurring in 10 of 10 cases, whereas intraventricular septal defects were identified in only 6 of 9 patients. Evaluation of postsurgical patients was accurate in 19 of 20 cases.