Pediatric cardiovascular diagnosis.

Abstract

Significant progress is being made in the field of pediatric cardiovascular imaging. The application of color Doppler transesophageal echocardiography has proven to be extremely useful in both intra- and perioperative examinations. The introduction of the long-axis pediatric probe has expanded the abilities of transesophageal imaging in clinical pediatric practice. MR imaging is continuing to evolve as a noninvasive imaging technique. The development of cine-MR imaging now permits simultaneous evaluation of cardiac anatomy and function and is forecasting a larger role for this technology. In the field of interventional cardiovascular radiology, there have been further reports describing percutaneous balloon valvoplasty both at valve and vascular levels, as well as the application of balloon expandable intravascular stents for a variety of obstructive lesions.