Assessment of intracardiac and extracardiac anomalies associated with coarctation of aorta and interrupted aortic arch using dual-source computed tomography

To evaluate the value of dual-source computed tomography (DSCT) compared with transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) in assessing intracardiac and extracardiac anomalies in patients with coarctation of aorta (CoA) and interrupted aortic arch (IAA). Seventy-five patients (63 with CoA and 12 with IAA) who received preoperative DSCT and TTE were retrospectively studied. Intracardiac and extracardiac anomalies were recorded and compared by DSCT and TTE, in reference to surgical or cardiac catheterization findings. A total of 155 associated anomalies were finally found. Collateral circulation (56, 74.70%), patent ductus arteriosus (PDA; 41, 54.67%) were the most common anomalies. PDA, aortopulmonary window, and collateral circulation were more frequently present in patients with IAA than those with CoA (100% vs. 46.03%, 16.67% vs. 0%, and 100% vs. 69.84%, respectively, all p < 0.05). DSCT was superior to TTE in assessing associated extracardiac-vascular anomalies (sensitivity: 100% vs. 39.81%; specificity: 100% vs. 100%; positive predictive value: 100% vs. 100%; negative predictive value: 100% vs. 76.06%). Extracardiac-vascular anomalies, including collateral circulation and PDA, were the most common anomalies in patients with IAA and CoA. Compared with TTE, DSCT is more reliable in providing an overall preoperative evaluation of morphological features and extracardiac anomalies for surgical planning.