The purpose of this study is to determine whether patients with repaired congenital heart disease show differences in size or function of their heart atria compared to normal controls and depending on the nature of their heart disease.
Atrial function is important for good ventricular filling and function. In patients with impaired cardiac function, atrial contraction is even more important. So far, the size and function of the atria have been assessed two-dimensionally by angiography and by echocardiography. However, these do not allow exact characterization of the volumetric changes of the atria during the cardiac cycle. Recently, cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) has been used to assess size and function of the left atrium in adults. Little data are available about function and volume of the atria in children and the role of the atria in congenital heart disease (CHD). The study will recruit patients with CHD (n=40) and normal controls (n=10). The patient group will be composed by patients suffering from the following conditions: coarctation of the aorta (n=10), tetralogy of Fallot (n=10), transposition of the great arteries after atrial switch (Senning procedure) (n=10), transposition of the great arteries after arterial switch operation (n=10). The study consists of measurements of sizes and function of the right and the left atrium, respectively, by examining three-dimensional volume changes across the heart cycle, and of phase contrast measurements of blood flow across the valves of the heart.
Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Enrollment
22
University Children's Hospital Zürich, Switzerland
Zurich, Canton of Zurich, Switzerland
Right and left atrial volume
Measurement of maximal volume (at end of systole), volume before atrial contraction (in late diastole), and minimal volume (at end of diastole) of both atria.
Time frame: Day of CMR (baseline only, no intervention)
Blood flow across the atrio-ventricular valves
Phase contrast measurement of blood flow across the atrio-ventricular and the ventriculo-arterial valves, respectively, to serve as an internal validation of total atrial emptying volumes, as well as to contribute maximum early and late diastolic velocities.
Time frame: Day of CMR (baseline only, no intervention)
This platform is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional.