[Radiological and echotomographic findings in 98 children with isolated atrial septal defects]

Chest roentgenograms were carried out in 98 children with atrial septal defects and showed in 71 of them an increase of the pulmonary vascular markings, an increased heart index and right ventricular enlargement. In other children, abnormalities were either incomplete (18 cases) misleading (7 cases) or normal (2 cases). Echocardiogram was characteristic in 34 of 35 children showing an increased telediastolic ratio in virtually all cases and paradoxical septal motion in 79%. Postoperatively, chest roentgenographic findings include a return to normal of pulmonary markings and heart index while right ventricular enlargement regresses only partially. Echocardiograms show a decrease of the telediastolic ratio in all patients and a normal septal motion in 78%.