Major Aortopulmonary Collateral Arteries

Association of right aortic arch and agenesis of ductus arteriosus in prenatal tetralogy of Fallot spectrum and its clinical implications

OBJECTIVE

In our center, we observed an increased frequency of right aortic arch (RAA) with an agenesis of the ductus arteriosus (ADA) in prenatally diagnosed tetralogy of Fallot (ToF) and its variations. This study aimed to determine whether there is an association of RAA and ADA in fetuses with ToF. Distribution of genetic anomalies and impact on postnatal outcome were further evaluated.

METHOD

Single-center retrospective observational study including pregnancies with prenatal diagnosis of ToF from 2010 to 2023. All cases were subdivided into ToF with pulmonary stenosis (PS) and pulmonary atresia (PA). Clinical and echocardiographic databases were reviewed for pregnancy outcome, genetic anomalies, and postnatal course.

RESULTS

The cohort included 169 cases, 124 (73.4%) with ToF/PS and 45(26.6%) with ToF/PA. Agenesis of the ductus arteriosus was significantly associated with RAA in both subtypes of ToF (p = 0.001) compared to left aortic arch and found in 82.5% (33/40) versus 10.7% (9/84) of fetuses with ToF/PS and in 57.1% (8/14) versus 12.9% (4/31) of fetuses with ToF/PA. In both ToF/PS and ToF/PA, RAA/ADA versus RAA/patent DA revealed a significantly higher risk for the presence of genetic abnormalities, especially microdeletion 22q11.2, major aorto-pulmonary collateral arteries and a shorter time to complete surgical repair.

CONCLUSION

We demonstrated a significantly increased frequency of RAA/ADA in patients with prenatally diagnosed ToF. Although this association revealed no significant impact on overall survival, the prenatal detection of RAA/ADA has implications for counseling, genetic evaluation and postnatal management.

Don't skip a beat! Critical findings in imaging studies performed in adults with congenital heart disease

With ongoing advances in both medical and surgical management, the population of adults with congenital heart disease (CHD) continues to grow each year and has surpassed the number of pediatric cases. These adult patients will present to adult emergency departments with increasing frequency. Adults with CHD are at increased risk of developing not only cardiovascular complications, such as aortic dissection and thromboemboli, but also abdominopelvic and neurologic processes at younger ages. These individuals are also more likely to develop less urgent but clinically significant complications including end-organ dysfunction, baffle leaks, or bleeding collateral vessels. Ultimately, imaging can play a critical role in determining the triage, diagnosis, and management of adult CHD patients. To accomplish this goal, radiologists must be able to distinguish acute and chronic complications of treated CHD from benign processes, including expected post-surgical changes or imaging artifacts. Radiologists also need to be familiar with the various long-term risks and complications associated with both treated and untreated forms of CHD, particularly those in adults with complex lesions.

Complex Tetralogy of Fallot in an Acyanotic Adult Dog

•TOF with PA hypoplasia can be diagnosed in adult dogs. •MAPCAs were suspected on the basis of TTE detection of collateral vessels. •Acyanosis in this dog was attributed to multiple sources of pulmonary blood flow. •Augmented reality can provide unique imaging capabilities for complex heart defects.

Multiple vascular anomalies and refractory pericardial effusion in a young patient with Cantu syndrome: a case report and review of the literature

BACKGROUND

Cantu syndrome is a rare and complex multisystem disorder characterized by hypertrichosis, facial dysmorphism, osteochondroplasia and cardiac abnormalities. With only 150 cases reported worldwide, Cantu syndrome is now gaining wider recognition due to molecular testing and a growing body of literature that further characterizes the syndrome and some of its most important features. Cardiovascular pathology previously described in the literature include cardiomegaly, pericardial effusion, vascular dilation and tortuosity, and other congenital heart defects. However, cardiovascular involvement is highly variable amongst individuals with Cantu syndrome. In some instances, it can be extensive and severe requiring surgical management and long term follow up.

CASE PRESENTATION

Herein we report a case of a fourteen-year-old female who presented with worsening pericardial effusion of unknown etiology, and echocardiographic findings of concentric left ventricular hypertrophy, a mildly dilated aortic root and ascending aorta. Her medical history was notable for hemoptysis and an episode of pulmonary hemorrhage secondary to multiple aortopulmonary collaterals that were subsequently embolized in early childhood. She was initially managed with Ibuprofen and Colchicine but continued to worsen, and ultimately required a pericardial window for the management of refractory pericardial effusion. Imaging studies obtained on subsequent visits revealed multiple dilated and tortuous blood vessels in the head, neck, chest, and pelvis. A cardiomyopathy molecular studies panel was sent, and a pathogenic variant was identified in the ABCC9 gene, confirming the molecular diagnosis of autosomal dominant Cantu syndrome.

CONCLUSIONS

Vascular anomalies and significant cardiac involvement are often present in Cantu syndrome, however there are currently no established screening recommendations or surveillance protocols in place. The triad of hypertrichosis, facial dysmorphism, and unexplained cardiovascular involvement in any patient should raise suspicion for Cantu syndrome and warrant further investigation. Initial cardiac evaluation and follow up should be indicated in any patient with a clinical and/or molecular diagnosis of Cantu syndrome. Furthermore, whole body imaging should be utilized to evaluate the extent of vascular involvement and dictate long term monitoring and care.

Short-term outcomes following total correction of tetralogy of fallot in adult patients

OBJECTIVES

Tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) is a common congenital heart disease which should be corrected. The recommended time for the Tetralogy of Fallot Total Correction (TFTC) surgery is during the infancy for the possible difficulties during the surgery and the related issues. However, sometimes TOF is diagnosed and managed during the adulthood.

METHODS

This study is a descriptive and retrospective one which included all patients who underwent TFTC at the age of 15-year and older in 10 years (between the years 2010 and 2020) to identify short-term (in-hospital mortality, ICU stay, postoperative bleeding, respiratory complications after the surgery such as pulmonary edema, pneumonia, etc.) and one-year (left ventricle ejection fraction (LVEF), right ventricle (RV) ejection fraction, the severity of tricuspid and aortic regurgitation after surgery) outcomes. All data were taken from medical records at Rajaie Cardiovascular Medical and Research Center. Data were analyzed using SPSS 22.

RESULTS

94 patients with the mean ± SD age of 26.7 ± 9.6 years were enrolled. Most of them were male (59.6%) (P-value: 0.009). In-hospital mortality in our study were 5.3%. Tricuspid regurgitation (TR) was significantly resolved after the surgery (P-value: 0.006). Of 17 (18.1%) patients with small or hypoplastic pulmonary artery (PA) branches, 14 patients had acceptable PA branch size after surgery.

CONCLUSION

TFTC at an older age is safe with acceptable results. Age is not a contraindication for TFTC and surgery should be recommended if the patients are diagnosed with TOF in adulthood. Also, the TOF diagnosis should be considered in adult patients with suspicious signs and symptoms.

Basic Concepts and Insights into Aortopulmonary Collateral Arteries in Congenital Heart Diseases

Aortopulmonary collateral arteries are persistent embryological vessels supplying lung parenchyma in various cardiopulmonary diseases with underlying pulmonary hypoperfusion. Their identification and mapping are important because of associated clinical implications and tendency to affect the surgical outcome. This article describes the embryological development and clinical relevance of aortopulmonary collaterals in various congenital cardiopulmonary conditions, along with the significance for treatment planning. Roles, strength, and shortcomings of the various imaging options and image-guided interventions are discussed, with a focus on presurgical planning and preparation, as well as postsurgical management.

Unique Pulmonary Hypertensive Vascular Diseases Associated with Heart and Lung Developmental Defects

Although pediatric pulmonary hypertension (PH) shares features and mechanisms with adult PH, there are also some significant differences between the two conditions. Segmental PH is a unique pediatric subtype of PH with unclear and/or multifactorial pathophysiological mechanisms, and is often associated with complex congenital heart disease (CHD), pulmonary atresia with ventricular septal defect, and aortopulmonary collateral arteries. Some cases of complex CHD, associated with a single ventricle after Fontan operation, show pathological changes in the small peripheral pulmonary arteries and pulmonary vascular resistance similar to those observed in pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). This condition is termed as the pediatric pulmonary hypertensive vascular disease (PPHVD). Recent advances in genetics have identified the genes responsible for PAH associated with developmental defects of the heart and lungs, such as TBX4 and SOX17. Targeted therapies for PAH have been developed; however, their effects on PH associated with developmental heart and lung defects remain to be established. Real-world data analyses on the anatomy, pathophysiology, genetics, and molecular biology of unique PPHVD cases associated with developmental defects of the heart and lungs, using nationwide and/or international registries, should be conducted in order to improve the treatments and prognosis of patients with these types of pediatric PH.

Society of Chest Imaging and Interventions Consensus Guidelines for the Interventional Radiology Management of Hemoptysis

The recommendations from the Society of Chest Imaging and Interventions expert group comprehensively cover all the aspects of management of hemoptysis, highlighting the role of diagnostic and interventional radiology. The diversity existing in etiopathology, imaging findings, and management of hemoptysis has been addressed. The management algorithm recommends the options for effective treatment while minimizing the chances of recurrence, based on the best evidence available and opinion from the experts.

Radiology: Cardiothoracic Imaging Highlights 2022

Since its inaugural issue in 2019, Radiology: Cardiothoracic Imaging has disseminated the latest scientific advances and technical developments in cardiac, vascular, and thoracic imaging. In this review, we highlight select articles published in this journal between October 2021 and October 2022. The scope of the review encompasses various aspects of coronary artery and congenital heart diseases, vascular diseases, thoracic imaging, and health services research. Key highlights include changes in the revised Coronary Artery Disease Reporting and Data System 2.0, the value of coronary CT angiography in informing prognosis and guiding treatment decisions, cardiac MRI findings after COVID-19 vaccination or infection, high-risk features at CT angiography to identify patients with aortic dissection at risk for late adverse events, and CT-guided fiducial marker placement for preoperative planning for pulmonary nodules. Ongoing research and future directions include photon-counting CT and artificial intelligence applications in cardiovascular imaging. Keywords: Pediatrics, CT Angiography, CT-Perfusion, CT-Spectral Imaging, MR Angiography, PET/CT, Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation/Replacement (TAVI/TAVR), Cardiac, Pulmonary, Vascular, Aorta, Coronary Arteries © RSNA, 2023.

Collaterals in congenital heart disease: when and how to treat?

The development of collateral circulation is not that rare in patients with congenital heart defects. These collaterals can affect cardiovascular hemodynamics and cause systemic arterial desaturation, which arises the question whether these should be closed. To date, few if any reports have been published on the therapeutic management of collaterals in adult patients with congenital heart disease in heart failure (HF). The focus of this article is to provide a pragmatic approach in the assessment of collateral circulation of the patient with HF. By considering the underlying hemodynamics and overall effects of the collateral circulation, we aim to provide a practical tool useful in clinical decision making. The paper highlights mainly the systemic venous to systemic venous collaterals, systemic venous to pulmonary venous (or pulmonary venous atrium) collaterals, and pulmonary arterio-venous malformations. Systemic venous anomalies are frequent and reported in 20% to 40% of patients who underwent Glenn or Fontan procedure. A reduction in effective pulmonary blood flow, coupled with increasing oxygen demands with growth, as well as a pressure difference between the higher pressure caval venous system and lower pressure atria (so called decompressing collaterals) are potential causes of collateral formation. Whether angiogenesis de novo or reappearance of embryological venous channels is responsible for collateral formation remains to be elucidated.

Clinical deterioration following arterial switch surgery due to extensive aortopulmonary collaterals, unusual condition but worth considering: case report

BACKGROUND

The occurrence of major aortopulmonary collateral arteries (MAPCAs) is infrequent in patients with D-transposition of great arteries (D-TGA) with intact ventricular septum (IVS). Hemodynamically significant MAPCAs may complicate the postoperative course of these patients after arterial switch operation (ASO).

CASE PRESENTATION

We present a rare case of neonatal D-TGA-IVS associated with extensive MAPCAs. After the ASO, the patient developed pulmonary hemorrhage, chest wall edema, and deterioration of lung compliance with the need for high-frequency ventilation (HFV). The patient also had a significant capillary leak with skin edema, high chest tube drainage, and high peritoneal drainage. Cardiac catheterization revealed extensive MAPCAs supplying the whole lung segments. After the catheter closure of most of these MAPCAs, the patient had clinical improvement.

CONCLUSIONS

Although the occurrence of MAPCAs with D-TGA-IVS is infrequent, clinicians should suspect their presence in cases with unexplained heart failure, pulmonary hemorrhage, or cardiovascular compromise after ASO. Catheter closure of MAPCAs is feasible with an acceptable short-term outcome.

Large isolated major aortopulmonary collateral artery causing dilated left ventricle

Isolated major aortopulmonary collateral artery (MAPCA), in the absence of evidence of structural heart disease, is a very rare observation. This anomaly usually appears in preterm newborns. In the majority of babies, isolated MAPCAs cause no symptoms and regress spontaneously after birth and their conservative management is usually sufficient. We report a case of an asymptomatic full-term 5-month-old infant presenting with heart murmur as the only sign during clinical evaluation. Echocardiography revealed a dilated left ventricle, with no pulmonary hypertension. Computed tomography angiogram showed a large MAPCA arising from the descending thoracic aorta and supplying blood to the left lower lobe. The condition was managed successfully by percutaneous obliteration with Amplatzer vascular plugs. Isolated MAPCA is usually a benign anomaly, presenting no clinical finding and requiring no specific treatment. However, in a small minority of infants, this congenital disorder may progress, with detrimental impacts on cardiac structure before clinical symptoms appear. Early intervention may be required to prevent irreversible sequelae.