Normal values for aortic diameters in children and adolescents--assessment in vivo by contrast-enhanced CMR-angiography.
BACKGROUND
Contrast-enhanced CMR angiography (CE-CMRA) is being increasingly used for diagnosing aortic arch anomalies, planning interventions and follow-up assessment. We sought to establish normal values for the diameters of the thoracic aorta and reference curves related to body growth in children using CE-CMRA.


RESULTS
CE-CMRA was performed in 53 children without cardiovascular disease. The median age was 9 years (range 2 - 20 years), weight 30 kg (range 12 - 75 kg), height 131 cm (range 81 - 184 cm), body surface area (BSA) 1.05 m2 (range 0.52-1.9 m2). Aortic diameters were measured at nine standardized sites on oblique maximum-intensity projection (MIP) images. Regression analysis of diameters in relation to BSA demonstrated linear relationship between the cross-sectional aortic diameters and the square root of BSA (BSA0.5). Normative diameters were (0.57 + 19.37*BSA0.5) mm for the aortic sinus, (-3.52 + 18.66*BSA0.5) mm for the first segment of the aortic arch, (-3.37 + 16.52*BSA0.5) mm for the isthmic region and (-1.27 + 9.89*BSA0.5) mm for the descending aorta at the level of the diaphragm. Normative curves are presented.


CONCLUSIONS
This study provides normative values for aortic diameters in children measured by CE-CMRA. These data may serve for making the diagnosis of pediatric arch anomalies, assessing the need for treatment and planning interventions.
Kaiser
Thomas
T
Division of Pediatric Cardiology, University Children's Hospital, Zurich, Switzerland. thomas.kaiser@kispi.uzh.ch
Kellenberger
Christian J
CJ
Albisetti
Manuela
M
Bergsträsser
Eva
E
Valsangiacomo Buechel
Emanuela R
ER
D000293:Adolescent; D001013:Aorta, Thoracic / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D001027:Aortography / Q000379:methods*; D049628:Body Size; D001830:Body Surface Area; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003287:Contrast Media; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D018810:Magnetic Resonance Angiography; D008297:Male; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012016:Reference Values; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D055815:Young Adult
D003287:Contrast Media