Preoperative angiocardiography in infants with tetrad of Fallot. Review of 36 cases

Abstract

Angiocardiograms in 36 infants with tetrad of Fallot were reviewed to determine which projections best displayed the anatomy. The occurrence of associated cardiovascular anomalies was also recorded. An additional ventricular septal defect was found in 14 percent (5 of 36), peripheral pulmonary stenoses in 30 percent (10 of 36) and surgically important coronary arterial abnormalities in 8 percent (3 of 36). This retrospective study indicated that optimal biplane angiocardiography should include: (1) right ventriculography in a sitting or hepatoclavicular view for demonstration of the right ventricular, infundibular, and pulmonary artery anatomy, (2) left ventriculography in the long axial oblique (cranially angled oblique) view for display of ventricular septal defects and coronary arteries, and (3) and aortogram at the valve level (oblique view) if coronary arteries are not well seen in the left ventricular study.