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Optimising pre-operative assessment in double-outlet right ventricle: the complementary role of echocardiography and CT angiography
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 07 October 2025
Abstract
Background:
Double-outlet right ventricle is a complex congenital cardiac anomaly in which both great arteries arise predominantly from the right ventricle. Accurate anatomical evaluation is critical for surgical planning. While transthoracic echocardiography is commonly used for intracardiac assessment, its limitations in visualising extracardiac structures highlight the need for additional imaging modalities like CT angiography.
Objective:
To compare the diagnostic accuracy and clinical utility of transthoracic echocardiography and CT angiography in the pre-operative evaluation and surgical planning of infants with double-outlet right ventricle.
Methods:
This retrospective, single-centre study included 78 infants diagnosed with double-outlet right ventricle. All patients underwent both transthoracic echocardiography and CT angiography before surgical intervention. Imaging findings were compared with intraoperative surgical results to assess sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and overall accuracy for each modality.
Results:
CT angiography was significantly more effective than transthoracic echocardiography in identifying extracardiac anomalies such as coronary artery anomalies (p = 0.014), aortic arch hypoplasia (p = 0.024), aortopulmonary collateral vessels (p = 0.039), anomalous pulmonary venous connections (p = 0.001), and persistent left superior vena cava (p = 0.001). In contrast, transthoracic echocardiography was more sensitive in detecting small ventricular septal defects (p = 0.035).
Conclusion:
Transthoracic echocardiography remains the first-line modality for intracardiac evaluation in double-outlet right ventricle, but CT angiography provides superior visualisation of extracardiac structures. The combined use of both imaging techniques improves diagnostic accuracy and surgical planning, supporting better outcomes in the management of CHD.
Keywords
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- Original Article
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- Copyright
- © The Author(s), 2025. Published by Cambridge University Press
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