Conotruncal malformations: diagnosis in infancy using subxiphoid 2-dimensional echocardiography

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Cardiology
• Medical Imaging
• Congenital Heart Disease

Background:

• Conotruncal malformations are a group of complex congenital heart defects.
• Accurate and timely diagnosis is crucial for infant outcomes.
• Echocardiography is a primary non-invasive imaging modality.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of subxiphoid 2-dimensional echocardiography.
• To assess its utility in infants with conotruncal malformations.
• To determine sensitivity and specificity for specific defects.

Main Methods:

• Subxiphoid 2-dimensional echocardiography performed before cardiac catheterization.
• Study included 113 infants (<1 year) with conotruncal malformations.
• Diagnostic accuracy compared to cardiac catheterization findings.

Main Results:

• Successful examination in 109 of 113 infants.
• Correct diagnosis achieved in 104 of 109 infants (95.4%).
• High accuracy for d-transposition of great arteries, double-outlet right ventricle, Tetralogy of Fallot, and truncus arteriosus.

Conclusions:

• Subxiphoid 2-dimensional echocardiography is a sensitive and specific tool.
• It provides accurate diagnoses for conotruncal malformations in infancy.
• This technique aids in the management of complex congenital heart disease.