[Clinical value of ECG-gated dual-source computed tomography and angiography in assessing coarctation of aorta]

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to explore the clinical value of ECG-gated dual-source CT angiography (DSCTA) in evaluating coarctation of aorta (CoA). 23 patients suspected with CoA underwent DSCTA and transthoracic echocardiography (TTE). Surgical results were taken as reference standard. 23 patients were diagnosed with CoA, 12 cases had focal stenosis of aorta, while 11 had tubular stenosis. 19 cases were associated with other cardiovascular malformations, including 5 cases of hypoplastic aortic arch, 5 of patent ductus arteriosus, 10 of ventricular septal defect, 2 of bicuspid aortic valve, 4 of collateral arteries, 2 of aberrant left subclavian artery and 2 of persistent left superior vena cava, respectively. The mean diameter of stenotic segment of aorta was (7.0 +/- 3.7) mm. In 9 patients with tubular CoA, the diameter and length of stenotic segment of aorta were (6.2 +/- 7. 3) mm and (29.2 +/- 5.9) mm, respectively. The accuracies of DSCTA and TTE in the diagnosis of CoA were 100% and 91.3% (P > 0.05), respectively. It is well concluded that ECG-gated DSCTA could accurately evaluate CoA and associated cardiovascular malformations, and provide detailed anatomic information before surgery.