Angiocardiographic diagnosis of ventricular septal defects in complete transposition of great vessels

: The article analyses experience in angiocardiographic diagnosis of the localization of ventricular septal defects (VSD) in 47 patients with complete transposition of the great vessels (CTGV) and high pulmonary hypertension. Axial X-ray views ("4 chambers" and "long axis") were used in the examination. The work shows the angiographic signs of all types of VSD. It is concluded that at present there is no single X-ray view universal for all types of VSD. Two-dimensional echocardiography is important in the choice of the view in angiocardiography. The muscular type of VSD is encountered most frequently (40.5%) in CTGV. Absence of contact of the superior margin of the defect with the valve of the aorta and pulmonary artery is a characteristic angiocardiographic sign of the defect. Contact of the superior margin of the defect with the valve of the pulmonary artery and absence of contact with the aortic valve are characteristics of the perimembranous types of VSD. Subarterial types of VSD are characterized by contact of the upper margin of the defect both with the aortic valve and the valve of the pulmonary artery. In 11 patients the results of angiocardiography were compared with the findings of autopsy.