Selective coronary arteriography in infants and children

The recent increase in incidence of Kawasaki disease with attendant coronary artery aneurysms spurred our interest in developing a technique for selective coronary arteriographic examination of infants and children. Right and left coronary artery catheters were shaped according to the aortic root diameters and ascending aorta lengths predicted from the patient's heights. Thirty-eight studies were done in 34 patients who were 7 months to 18 years of age (median 3.2 years) and no permanent sequelae resulted. Advantages of the use of selective coronary arteriography include the ability to visualize stenoses, important branches, and intercoronary anastomoses. The technique is also useful in evaluation of anomalous coronary arteries, myocardial ischemia, and coronary artery distribution before right ventricular outflow tract reconstruction.