Arteriography Coronary with Ventriculography Before advances in echocardiography, cardiac catheterization was the mainstay for making the diagnosis of CoA. The pressure gradient across the coarctation segment and the collateral vascularity can be accurately assessed with direct angiography. In the current era, it is primarily used when as catheter-based investigation such as balloon angioplasty or stent insertion are being considered [76]. Arteriography Pulmonary There is no relevant literature to support the use of pulmonary arteriography in the evaluation of known or suspected aortic coarctation. CT Heart Function and Morphology There is no relevant literature to support the use of CT heart function and morphology in the evaluation of suspected aortic coarctation, although its use was supported in adults by expert opinion in situations in which TEE windows are inadequate. The panel agreed that CT for function is not useful for a child in this clinical scenario. CTA Chest CTA chest is a complementary imaging modality in patients with suspected aortic coarctation after echocardiography. In patients with suboptimal arch imaging with echocardiography, CTA chest works as a great tool to assist with surgical planning [77-79]. Aortic coarctation is often associated with a hypoplastic aortic arch, and CTA chest is helpful in identifying the severity of arch hypoplasia, the length of the hypoplasia, and the relative origins of the aortic arch branch vessels in relation to the coarctation and arch hypoplasia [79]. CTA Coronary Arteries There is no relevant literature to support the use of CTA coronary arteries in the evaluation of suspected aortic coarctation. MRA Abdomen There is no relevant literature to support the use of MRA abdomen in the evaluation of suspected aortic coarctation. MRA Chest MRA chest can be used as the second line of imaging after echocardiography in young children who do not require sedation and adolescents [79,80].
Congenital or Acquired Heart Disease. Arteriography Coronary with Ventriculography Before advances in echocardiography, cardiac catheterization was the mainstay for making the diagnosis of CoA. The pressure gradient across the coarctation segment and the collateral vascularity can be accurately assessed with direct angiography. In the current era, it is primarily used when as catheter-based investigation such as balloon angioplasty or stent insertion are being considered [76]. Arteriography Pulmonary There is no relevant literature to support the use of pulmonary arteriography in the evaluation of known or suspected aortic coarctation. CT Heart Function and Morphology There is no relevant literature to support the use of CT heart function and morphology in the evaluation of suspected aortic coarctation, although its use was supported in adults by expert opinion in situations in which TEE windows are inadequate. The panel agreed that CT for function is not useful for a child in this clinical scenario. CTA Chest CTA chest is a complementary imaging modality in patients with suspected aortic coarctation after echocardiography. In patients with suboptimal arch imaging with echocardiography, CTA chest works as a great tool to assist with surgical planning [77-79]. Aortic coarctation is often associated with a hypoplastic aortic arch, and CTA chest is helpful in identifying the severity of arch hypoplasia, the length of the hypoplasia, and the relative origins of the aortic arch branch vessels in relation to the coarctation and arch hypoplasia [79]. CTA Coronary Arteries There is no relevant literature to support the use of CTA coronary arteries in the evaluation of suspected aortic coarctation. MRA Abdomen There is no relevant literature to support the use of MRA abdomen in the evaluation of suspected aortic coarctation. MRA Chest MRA chest can be used as the second line of imaging after echocardiography in young children who do not require sedation and adolescents [79,80].