Abstract 12305: Cardiac Computed Tomography Derived Aorta and Aortic Arch Z-scores in Children

Abstract

Introduction: Echocardiogram, Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging, and Computed Tomography Angiography (CTA) play a key role in the diagnosis and follow-up of congenital heart disease patients. Our objective was to establish CTA-derived normative data for aortic root (AoR), aortic sinotubular junction (STJ), ascending aorta (AAO), proximal (PAA), distal transverse aortic arch (DAA), isthmus (Is), and descending aorta (DAO) in children. Methods: Maximum, minimum, and mean diameters for STJ, AAO, PAA, DAA, Is, and DAO in systole and diastole were measured in 100 subjects who had CTA between January 2015 through December 2020 with no intracardiac defect or shunt lesion. The allometric exponent (AE) for each parameter was derived, and the parameter/body surface area (BSA)^AE is established using previously described methods. Regression analysis is performed to demonstrate a linear relationship to BSA. Using this data, normalized mean and standard deviation (SD) are calculated for all the structures mentioned and z-score curves are plotted in relation to BSA. Results: The normalized mean diameters (mm) in systole for AoR is 19.67 ± 1.99, STJ 17.25 ± 1.77, AAO 17.73 ± 2.18, PAA 16.39 ± 2.05, DAA 15.32 ± 1.75, Is 14.25 ± 1.69, and DAO 12.46 ± 1.64. For diastole, AoR is 18.87 ± 1.83, STJ 16.39 ± 1.77, AAO 16.39 ± 2.07, PAA 15.04 ± 2.13, DAA 14.22 ± 1.78, Is 13.26 ± 1.58, and DAO 11.66 ± 1.33. The figure shows the z-score plots. Conclusions: This is the first study in children that provides normative CTA-derived data for the AoR, STJ, AAO, PAA, DAA, Is, and DAO. This data is helpful to guide medical and surgical decision-making in children with congenital heart disease.