Synchronization of contrast media administration with retrograde blood flow in patients with hypoplastic ascending aorta

Abstract

Detailed cardiovascular assessment, including careful evaluation of the great vessel ori-gins, their relationship to the cardiac chambers, and associated anomalies, should be partof the routine cardiac/coronary CT angiography (CTA) assessment of hypoplastic left heartsyndrome (HLHS) [1-3]. CTA provides detailed anatomical and functional information ofthe heart and coronaries, via two-dimensional (2D) reformatted and three-dimensional(3D) reconstructed images [4]. Obtaining optimal diagnostic images is critical in under-standing patients' anatomy and cardiovascular hemodynamics. Matching compromisedcardiovascular dynamics with patient-specific iodinated contrast material administration(CM) protocols is considerably improved with the use of ECG-gated thoracic CTA. The impor-Tance of predicting CM administration in patients with compromised blood flow requiresan understanding of CM administration and scanner parameters affecting bolus geometry. © 2015 Published by Elsevier Masson SAS on behalf of the Editions francaises de radiologie.