[Digital subtraction angiography in the diagnosis of Fallot 's tetralogy]

The authors analyze the efficacy of digital subtraction angiography (DSA) in the diagnosis of Fallot's tetralogy (FT); this method helps simplify and cut down the scope of investigations but does not deteriorate their informative value. DSA findings in 120 patients with TF are analyzed. The study was confined to right ventriculography in the majority of cases, which permitted clear-cut imaging of the anatomical details of the defect due to computer processing of the image. Morphometrical parameters were used to make assessment of involvement of the pulmonary artery system more objective: the ratio of the width of various portions of the pulmonary artery system to the width of descending aorta and the pulmonary arterial index characterizing the area of section of both pulmonary arteries in relation to body surface. The quality of imaging the stenoses and hypoplasia in the pulmonary artery system was high, meeting the requirements of present-day surgery. Moreover, DSA helps diagnose other anatomical particulars of TF and the concomitant defects and abnormalities, left ventricular hypoplasia and the type of right aortic arch among other things. The advantages of DSA in the diagnosis of TF are a lesser volume of catheterization, reduced number of sessions and of the dose of contrast agent infused at each session, better imaging of the anatomical details of the defect and of concomitant defects and abnormalities. All this permit examinations on an outpatient basis.