[Transesophageal paracoronal transgastric imaging. Use and indications in pediatric cardiology]

To evaluate the contribution and comparative value of paracoronal transgastric view compared with conventional transesophageal examination for morpho-functional assessment of different types of congenital heart disease in a pediatric group.

Fifteen patients with clinical and echocardiographic diagnosis of congenital heart disease were selected for single plane transesophageal examination. After routine evaluation, the probe was positioned to obtain a paracoronal transgastric view, and images that result from this technique were recorded and compared with those obtained in the conventional way. Eleven procedures were carried out in the cathlab and four in pediatric intensive care unit, under general anesthesia or heavy sedation. The age and weight were 32.0 months and 11.6 kg respectively. No adverse reactions were observed with this method.

In comparison with conventional transesophageal study, the paracoronal transgastric view permitted better morpho-functional assessment of the outlets of the right and left ventricles, as well as additional informations about the left pulmonary artery.

Morphological and hemodynamic informations obtained from paracoronal transgastric view is a safe method which can be used either as an alternative or a complement to conventional examination to assess the outlets of both ventricles, as well as to evaluate the subvalvar, valvar and supravalvar region in different types of congenital heart disease.