Echocardiographic Spectrum of Inter-arterial and Arterioyentr;c War Relationship of Great Arteries

Abstract

MATERIAL AND METHODS:
Eighteen patients were selected from amongst 820 echocardiograrns performed between 1978-1979 on children with various congenital cardiac malformations These 18 patients comprised 2 patients with normally related great vessels, 4. patients with tetralogy of Fallot, 3 patients with double outlet right ventricle and subpulmonary stenosis.

RESULTS:

Normally related great vessels could be imaged in various planes from varied transducer locations. From the subxiphoid location with sector beam in left ventricular long axis plane, the origin of the ascending aorta from the left ventricle could be imaged. Confirmation of the normally related great vessel relationship could be obtained in short axis image obtained with transducer located parasternally at the base of the heart. The aorta 1ñ this view was seen as acircle4anterior to the left atrium.

DISCUSSION:

Our study showed that the arterio-venticular connections, can be prospectively imaged using a two-dimensional sector scan echocardiographic technique. Interarterial and arterio-ventricular relationships can be established using various planar views (2,3). In smaller children, due to a small intrapulmonary air interphase, cardiac imaging can be done from almost all areas over the precordium. Our experience with double outlet left ventr icle is limited; however, the diagnosis seems to be possible preoperatively. It is concluded that two-dimensional sector scan echocardiography provides a precise means for the prospective diagnosis of the interarterial and arterio-ventric ular relationships of the great arteries when all possible transducer locations are utilized to study. these relationships.