Non-Invasive Imaging Assessment in Patients with Aortic Coarctation: A Contemporary Review

Coarctation of the aorta (CoA) is a congenital abnormality characterized by a narrowing of the aortic lumen, which can lead to significant morbidity and mortality if left untreated. Even after repair and despite significant advances in therapeutic management, these patients have overall reduced long-term survival due to the consequences of chronic afterload increase. Cardiovascular imaging is key from the first diagnosis to serial follow-up. In recent years, novel imaging techniques have emerged, increasing accessibility to advanced imaging modalities and enabling early and non-invasive identification of complications after repair. The aim of this paper is to provide a comprehensive review of the role of different imaging techniques in the evaluation and management of patients with native or repaired CoA, highlighting their unique strengths and limitations.

[1]  B. Borlaug,et al.  Determinants and Prognostic Implications of Left Atrial Reverse Remodeling After Coarctation of Aorta Repair in Adults. , 2023, European heart journal. Cardiovascular Imaging.

[2]  A. Evangelista,et al.  Mechanisms of Aortic Dilation in Patients With Bicuspid Aortic Valve: JACC State-of-the-Art Review. , 2023, Journal of the American College of Cardiology.

[3]  D. Cullington,et al.  Coarctation of the Aorta: Diagnosis and Management , 2023, Diagnostics.

[4]  C. Kuhl,et al.  Photon-counting versus Dual-Source CT of Congenital Heart Defects in Neonates and Infants: Initial Experience. , 2023, Radiology.

[5]  A. Secinaro,et al.  Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance from Fetal to Adult Life—Indications and Challenges: A State-of-the-Art Review , 2023, Children.

[6]  S. Plein,et al.  Comprehensive Neonatal Cardiac, Feed and Wrap, Non‐contrast, Non‐sedated, Free‐breathing Compressed Sensing 4D Flow MRI Assessment , 2022, Journal of magnetic resonance imaging : JMRI.

[7]  B. Landis,et al.  Isolated Coarctation of the Aorta: Current Concepts and Perspectives , 2022, Frontiers in Cardiovascular Medicine.

[8]  Kanwal M. Farooqi,et al.  Three-dimensional printing, holograms, computational modelling, and artificial intelligence for adult congenital heart disease care: an exciting future. , 2022, European heart journal.

[9]  A. Einstein,et al.  Radiation safety for cardiovascular computed tomography imaging in paediatric cardiology: a joint expert consensus document of the EACVI, ESCR, AEPC, and ESPR. , 2022, European heart journal. Cardiovascular Imaging.

[10]  S. Maskatia,et al.  Coarctation of the aorta: Prenatal assessment, postnatal management and neonatal outcomes. , 2022, Seminars in perinatology.

[11]  A. Krieger,et al.  Altered hemodynamics by 4D flow cardiovascular magnetic resonance predict exercise intolerance in repaired coarctation of the aorta: an in vitro study , 2021, Journal of Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance.

[12]  A. Egbe,et al.  Prognostic implications of left heart diastolic dysfunction in adults with coarctation of aorta. , 2021, European heart journal. Cardiovascular Imaging.

[13]  S. Plein,et al.  Four‐Dimensional Flow Magnetic Resonance Imaging in the Assessment of Blood Flow in the Heart and Great Vessels: A Systematic Review , 2021, Journal of magnetic resonance imaging : JMRI.

[14]  C. Indolfi,et al.  Early reduction of left atrial function predicts adverse clinical outcomes in patients with severe aortic stenosis undergoing transcatheter aortic valve replacement , 2021, Open Heart.

[15]  J. Hajnal,et al.  Analysis of 3-Dimensional Arch Anatomy, Vascular Flow, and Postnatal Outcome in Cases of Suspected Coarctation of the Aorta Using Fetal Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging , 2021, Circulation. Cardiovascular imaging.

[16]  G. Di Salvo,et al.  How to measure left ventricular twist by two-dimensional speckle-tracking analysis. , 2021, European heart journal. Cardiovascular Imaging.

[17]  M. Stuber,et al.  2D cine vs. 3D self-navigated free-breathing high-resolution whole heart cardiovascular magnetic resonance for aortic root measurements in congenital heart disease , 2021, Journal of Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance.

[18]  H. Arheden,et al.  Utility of Fetal Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance for Prenatal Diagnosis of Complex Congenital Heart Defects , 2021, JAMA network open.

[19]  E. S. Farag,et al.  Fully quantitative mapping of abnormal aortic velocity and wall shear stress direction in patients with bicuspid aortic valves and repaired coarctation using 4D flow cardiovascular magnetic resonance , 2021, Journal of Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance.

[20]  G. Di Salvo,et al.  Blood speckle imaging: A new echocardiographic approach to study fluid dynamics in congenital heart disease , 2021, International Journal of Cardiology Congenital Heart Disease.

[21]  P. Liuba,et al.  Fetal Echocardiographic Dimension Indices: Important Predictors of Postnatal Coarctation , 2020, Pediatric Cardiology.

[22]  M. Schwerzmann,et al.  2020 ESC Guidelines for the management of adult congenital heart disease. , 2020, European heart journal.

[23]  G. Di Salvo,et al.  Left Atrial Strain to Identify Diastolic Dysfunction in Children with Cardiomyopathies , 2019, Journal of clinical medicine.

[24]  C. Rihal,et al.  Coronary Artery Disease in Adults With Coarctation of Aorta: Incidence, Risk Factors, and Outcomes , 2019, Journal of the American Heart Association.

[25]  M. Sklansky,et al.  Aortic Coarctation: A Comprehensive Analysis of Shape, Size, and Contractility of the Fetal Heart , 2019, Fetal Diagnosis and Therapy.

[26]  E. Jaeggi,et al.  Improving Prenatal Diagnosis of Coarctation of the Aorta. , 2019, The Canadian journal of cardiology.

[27]  Y. D'udekem,et al.  Long-term mortality and cardiovascular burden for adult survivors of coarctation of the aorta , 2019, Heart.

[28]  Jan L. Bruse,et al.  Aortic morphological variability in patients with bicuspid aortic valve and aortic coarctation , 2018, European journal of cardio-thoracic surgery : official journal of the European Association for Cardio-thoracic Surgery.

[29]  B. Gerber,et al.  Imaging the adult with congenital heart disease: a multimodality imaging approach—position paper from the EACVI , 2018, European heart journal cardiovascular Imaging.

[30]  T. Leiner,et al.  Computed tomography image quality of aortic stents in patients with aortic coarctation: a multicentre evaluation , 2018, European Radiology Experimental.

[31]  X. Pillois,et al.  Toward the integration of global longitudinal strain analysis in the assessment of neonatal aortic coarctation? A preliminary study. , 2018, Archives of cardiovascular diseases.

[32]  S. Tibby,et al.  Myocardial deformation in fetuses with coarctation of the aorta: a case–control study , 2017, Ultrasound in obstetrics & gynecology : the official journal of the International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology.

[33]  T. Leiner,et al.  Diagnosis, imaging and clinical management of aortic coarctation , 2017, Heart.

[34]  A. Khalil,et al.  Risk Factors for Coarctation of the Aorta on Prenatal Ultrasound: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. , 2017, Circulation.

[35]  Maxime Sermesant,et al.  How successful is successful? Aortic arch shape after successful aortic coarctation repair correlates with left ventricular function , 2017, The Journal of thoracic and cardiovascular surgery.

[36]  G. Shirali,et al.  Echocardiography of coarctation of the aorta, aortic arch hypoplasia, and arch interruption: strategies for evaluation of the aortic arch , 2016, Cardiology in the Young.

[37]  J. McGhie,et al.  Quantitative assessment of systolic left ventricular function with speckle-tracking echocardiography in adult patients with repaired aortic coarctation , 2016, The International Journal of Cardiovascular Imaging.

[38]  J. Schwitter,et al.  Indications for cardiovascular magnetic resonance in children with congenital and acquired heart disease: an expert consensus paper of the Imaging Working Group of the AEPC and the Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance Section of the EACVI , 2015, Cardiology in the Young.

[39]  J. Schwitter,et al.  Indications for cardiovascular magnetic resonance in children with congenital and acquired heart disease: an expert consensus paper of the Imaging Working Group of the AEPC and the Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance Section of the EACVI. , 2015, European heart journal cardiovascular Imaging.

[40]  M. Kalra,et al.  CT and MRI of aortic coarctation: pre- and postsurgical findings. , 2015, AJR. American journal of roentgenology.

[41]  A. Lin,et al.  Delayed Diagnosis of Critical Congenital Heart Defects: Trends and Associated Factors , 2014, Pediatrics.

[42]  D. Celermajer,et al.  Detection of serious complications by MR imaging in asymptomatic young adults with repaired coarctation of the aorta. , 2014, Heart, lung & circulation.

[43]  K. Gauvreau,et al.  Acute outcome of stent therapy for coarctation of the aorta: Results of the coarctation of the aorta stent trial , 2013, Catheterization and cardiovascular interventions : official journal of the Society for Cardiac Angiography & Interventions.

[44]  M. Siegel,et al.  CT Atlas of Adult Congenital Heart Disease , 2013 .

[45]  A. Taylor,et al.  Guidelines and protocols for cardiovascular magnetic resonance in children and adults with congenital heart disease: SCMR expert consensus group on congenital heart disease , 2013, Journal of Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance.

[46]  A. Assa,et al.  A double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled trial of oral midazolam plus oral ketamine for sedation of children during laceration repair , 2013, Emergency Medicine Journal.

[47]  A. Galindo,et al.  Prediction of coarctation of the aorta in the second half of pregnancy , 2013, Ultrasound in obstetrics & gynecology : the official journal of the International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology.

[48]  M. Budoff,et al.  Use of Noninvasive Imaging in the Evaluation of Coarctation of Aorta , 2013, Journal of computer assisted tomography.

[49]  G. DeVore Re: Sonographic predictors of surgery in fetal coarctation of the aorta. V. Jowett, P. Aparicio, S. Santhakumaran, A. Seale, H. Jicinska and H. M. Gardiner. Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol 2012; 40: 47–54. , 2012, Ultrasound in obstetrics & gynecology : the official journal of the International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology.

[50]  C. Higgins,et al.  Usefulness of cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging to predict the need for intervention in patients with coarctation of the aorta. , 2012, The American journal of cardiology.

[51]  C. Higgins,et al.  Prediction of hemodynamic severity of coarctation by magnetic resonance imaging. , 2011, The American journal of cardiology.

[52]  H. Halperin,et al.  A Prospective Evaluation of a Protocol for Magnetic Resonance Imaging of Patients With Implanted Cardiac Devices , 2011, Annals of Internal Medicine.

[53]  Michael Markl,et al.  Aortic Hemodynamics in Patients With and Without Repair of Aortic Coarctation: In Vivo Analysis by 4D Flow-Sensitive Magnetic Resonance Imaging , 2011, Investigative radiology.

[54]  David Saloner,et al.  Clinical evaluation of aortic coarctation with 4D flow MR imaging , 2010, Journal of magnetic resonance imaging : JMRI.

[55]  E. Donal,et al.  Influence of afterload on left ventricular radial and longitudinal systolic functions: a two-dimensional strain imaging study. , 2009, European journal of echocardiography : the journal of the Working Group on Echocardiography of the European Society of Cardiology.

[56]  Tim Leiner,et al.  NSF prevention in clinical practice: Summary of recommendations and guidelines in the United States, Canada, and Europe , 2009, Journal of magnetic resonance imaging : JMRI.

[57]  Terry O Woods,et al.  MR labeling information for implants and devices: explanation of terminology. , 2009, Radiology.

[58]  D. Hagler,et al.  Abdominal aortic pulsed wave Doppler patterns reliably reflect clinical severity in patients with coarctation of the aorta. , 2008, Congenital heart disease.

[59]  G. Di Salvo,et al.  Abnormal regional myocardial deformation properties and increased aortic stiffness in normotensive patients with aortic coarctation despite successful correction: an ABPM, standard echocardiography and strain rate imaging study. , 2007, Clinical science.

[60]  É. Mousseaux,et al.  Abstract 3220: Increased Central Aortic Stiffness and Left Ventricular Mass in Normotensive Young Subjects after Successful Coarctation Repair , 2006 .

[61]  Tal Geva,et al.  Magnetic Resonance Imaging Predictors of Coarctation Severity , 2005, Circulation.

[62]  Phalla Ou,et al.  Late systemic hypertension and aortic arch geometry after successful repair of coarctation of the aorta. , 2004, European heart journal.

[63]  E. Larsson,et al.  Collateral flow in coarctation of the aorta with magnetic resonance velocity mapping: Correlation to morphological imaging of collateral vessels , 2002, Journal of magnetic resonance imaging : JMRI.

[64]  L. Allan,et al.  Coarctation of the aorta: difficulties in prenatal diagnosis. , 1994, British heart journal.

[65]  G. W. Gross,et al.  Radiographic manifestations of congenital heart disease in the adult patient. , 1991, Radiologic clinics of North America.

[66]  OUP accepted manuscript , 2021, European Heart Journal - Cardiovascular Imaging.

[67]  J. Schwitter,et al.  Quantification of aortic flow by phase-contrast magnetic resonance in patients with bicuspid aortic valve. , 2014, European heart journal cardiovascular Imaging.

[68]  Simon Wildermuth,et al.  Principles of CT Imaging , 2014 .

[69]  Z. Hijazi,et al.  Coarctation of the aorta: from fetal life to adulthood. , 2011, Cardiology journal.

[70]  P. Weinberg Aortic arch anomalies. , 2006, Journal of cardiovascular magnetic resonance : official journal of the Society for Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance.