OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the feasibility
of electron beam tomography (EBCT) for morphological assessment of congenital
heart disease.
MATERIALS AND METHODS:
Sixteen subjects were examined by EBCT, transthoracic
echocardiography, cardiac cine angiography and surgery. EBCT scan was performed
using single slice continuous volume mode to acquire high-resolution static
image. Double dose contrast medium was injected by bolus technique after
measuring scan delay time and calculation of proper injection rate. The results
of EBCT and echocardiography were compared based on the results of cardiac cine
angiography and surgical findings. All anomalous components were evaluated in
all subjects and grouped according to major cardiac structures. Statistical
analysis was performed to compare two modalities' ability to evaluate the
anomalies of major structures.
RESULTS: EBCT
was more sensitive to evaluate the anomalies of systemic vessels, pulmonary
vessels and small systemic arteries such as coronary artery. EBCT was less
sensitive to identify the abnormality of cardiac valves such as valvular
regurgitation. There was no difference of sensitivity in evaluation of cardiac
chambers and septa between the two modalities.
CONCLUSION:
EBCT
assisted by transthoracic echocardiography is excellent noninvasive modality to
diagnose congenital heart disease.
