Purpose:
The purpose of this study was to determine the diagnostic accuracy and radiation dose in patients undergoing computerized tomography angiography (CTA) for evaluation of anatomy before first or second stage single ventricle palliation.
Methods:
All patients undergoing CTA before first or second stage single ventricle palliation in our practice in 2008 were retrospectively reviewed. The angiographic data was compared to the operative findings in all patients. Radiation dose was calculated as dose length product (DLP) multiplied by the chest conversion factor (.017). Radiation dose is listed as miliSievert.
Results:
CTA was performed in 5 patients before first or second stage single ventricle palliation, age 2 days to five months. All studies were performed in a Toshiba 64 slice scanner without EKG gating. A breath hold sequence was used and the usual scan range was from the thoracic inlet through the upper abdomen. All images were diagnostic and there were no adverse events from anesthesia. The anatomic information as found by CTA was confirmed at the time of surgery. DLP range for the studies was 42-115, the corresponding radiation dose is 0.7 to 1.9 milisievert.
Conclusions:
CTA is feasible in the pediatric population for accurate assessment of great artery and venous anatomy before first or second stage single ventricle palliation. The radiation doses are similar, or less, to invasive angiography.