BACKGROUND: Advances in the diagnosis and treatment of congenital heart disease are associated to advances in imaging techniques. Anatomic images obtained by computed tomography scan, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and echocardiography have been useful but cannot provide accurate hemodynamic data. 3D rotational angiography (3D-RA) is a new 3D reconstruction method carried out in the cath lab that has been widely used in neurological and urological procedures. This study was aimed at evaluating the use of 3D-RA in the diagnosis and treatment of congenital heart disease METHOD: Review of catheterization results of patients with congenital heart disease referred for diagnostic assessment in which the 3D reconstruction method was employed. Philips Allure FD 10 equipment and low osmolarity contrast medium were used for angiographies RESULTS: Overall, 53 patients were reviewed and 2.2 ± 1.1 mL/kg of contrast medium were used per patient. Anatomic details not previously shown by 2D angiographies were observed in 23% of the patients. Furthermore, 3D-RA imaging was used to make treatment decisions in 49% of the patients. Exposure to radiation was not statistically different from 2D angiography. None of the patients had complications related to the method CONCLUSION: 3D-RA provided information not usually seen by conventional angiography which was useful in the treatment of selected patients with congenital heart disease. The use of 3D-RA may reduce the number of imaging tests per procedure and as a consequence, limit patient exposure to radiation and contrast media.
Heart defects, congenital; Angiography; Radiation exposure
