Two-dimensional echocardiography in infants with persistent truncus arteriosus

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Cardiology
• Congenital Heart Disease
• Diagnostic Imaging

Background:

• Persistent truncus arteriosus is a complex congenital heart defect.
• Accurate and early diagnosis is crucial for infant outcomes.
• Echocardiography is a primary non-invasive imaging modality for pediatric cardiac assessment.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the diagnostic utility of two-dimensional echocardiography for persistent truncus arteriosus in infants.
• To identify specific echocardiographic criteria for diagnosing this condition.

Main Methods:

• Consecutive series of 13 infants with suspected persistent truncus arteriosus.
• Two-dimensional echocardiography was performed on all participants.
• Analysis focused on the great artery origin, branching patterns, and semilunar valve morphology.

Main Results:

• All 13 infants demonstrated a single great artery with an aortic-like course.
• Branching from the ascending great artery was observed in 10 infants.
• More than three semilunar valve cusps were identified in 5 infants.
• These echocardiographic findings led to a correct diagnosis in 12 out of 13 infants.

Conclusions:

• Two-dimensional echocardiography is effective in diagnosing persistent truncus arteriosus in neonates and infants.
• Identifying a single great artery with characteristic branching and/or abnormal semilunar valve cusp number are reliable diagnostic markers.
• Echocardiographic assessment provides crucial information for managing this severe congenital heart defect.