Ahmed Mohammed Samman
Ministry of Health, Saudi Arabia
Title: The role of advanced cardiac imaging is diagnosis of complex adult’s congenital heart disease
Biography
Biography: Ahmed Mohammed Samman
Abstract
Background: The recent improvements in non-invasive, cross-sectional cardiovascular imaging modalities (MR and CT) have
resulted in a change in our approach to the assessment and follow up of patients with Congenital Heart Disease (CHD).
Currently, clinical practice is to use echocardiography in all cases of CHD. However, echocardiography can be technically
difficult to perform, providing sub-optimal imaging. In these situations, we use cardiovascular MR to further define CHD
anatomy and physiology. This is particularly important prior to and following corrective surgical and interventional procedures.
Method: Sequential segmental analysis is illustrated using different cases from adults with CHD. Cardiovascular MR is critical to the non-invasive assessment of ventricular/valvular function and blood flow through haemodynamically significant lesions and shunts. We specifically use MDCT in the initial diagnostic assessment of great vessel anatomy in young patients, especially in circumstances where functional information is not required. Finally, the use of cardiac catheterization/angiography if haemo-dynamic information is required (pulmonary vascular resistance studies) or if there is a high degree of suspicion of coronary artery abnormalities.
Conclusion: This approach can improve non-invasive diagnosis and reveal detailed anatomy that is important for both clinical
decision-making and surgical planning of adults with CHD.