Learning objectives
To identify the CT and MR imaging findings of various post operative complications in patients with cyanotic congenital heart diseases.
Background
Cross-sectional imaging plays a major role in the evaluation of post operative structural and functional changes in patients who undergo surgical palliation or repair of cyanotic congenital heart diseases (CHD).
Although both Computed Tomography (CT) and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) are excellent modalities to delineate anatomical features in post operative CHD,
MRI scores better as it additionally provides functional information like hemodynamic significance of stenosis/regurgitation (on phase contrast imaging) as well as allows the evaluation of ventricular functions.
In this pictorial essay,
we illustrate the...
Findings and procedure details
We retrospectively analyzed thescans done in post-operative cyanotic CHDpatients from 2014 to 2018 in the department of Cardiovascular Radiology and endovascular intervention,
All India Institute of Medical Sciences,
New Delhi,
India.
CT Protocol: Patients were scanned with a 256/384 slice CT scanner.
CT angiogram was performed using an 80 kV technique either using a retrospective ECG gated scan or an ultra-high pitch prospective gated scan depending upon the complexity of the CHD.
MRI protocol: MR imaging protocol included cine vertical long axis (VLA),
short axis...
Conclusion
It is importantfor the radiologist to be familiar with the wide range of imaging appearances of complications after repaired cyanotic CHDs.
Early detection of complicationscan help in identifying the candidates for medical or surgical reintervention and thus helps in improving survival and quality of life in these patients.
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