Angiocardiographic and echocardiographic diagnosis of complete transposition of great vessels in association with pathology of the aorta

: The article analyses experience in the diagnosis of a pathological condition of the aorta in complete transposition of the great vessels (CTGV) in infants. Pathology of the aorta was revealed in 9 (2.6%) of the 350 patients who were examined. Six patients with CTGV had coarctation of the aorta (CA), 2 had subaortic stenosis, and one patient had complete interruption of the arch of the aorta. Our experience provides evidence that two-dimensional echocardiography allows the region of the thoracic aorta to be located from a suprasternal or a high right parasternal approach. Subaortic stenosis was diagnosed in 2 patients during autopsy. Retrospective analysis of the echocardiograms and angiocardiograms revealed characteristic signs of subaortic obstruction. Absence of the continuity of the arch and descending aorta is an echocardiographic sign of interruption of the arch of the aorta which was recognized retrospectively only after angiocardiography. Right and left ventriculography must be performed for precise anatomical diagnosis of CTGV with an intact interventricular septum combined with coarctation of the aorta. In patients with concomitant interventricular septal defect this examination is supplemented by antegrade and retrograde aortography from the ascending aorta to exclude patent ductus arteriosus and for better visualization of CA. Catheterization of all heart cavities, right and left ventriculography, aortography, and pulmonary arteriography must be carried out in all patients with total interruption of the continuity of the arch of the aorta.