# Application of Computed Tomography Angiography in Preoperative Diagnosis of Coarctation of Aorta and Evaluation of Aortic Dilatation in Infants

## TL;DR

This study shows that infants with aortic coarctation often have aortic dilatation, and the severity of coarctation predicts the risk of dilation.

## Contribution

The study identifies coarctation severity as an independent predictor of aortic dilatation in infants using MSCT.

## Key findings

- Severe CoA group had higher dilation rates and z scores in the ascending aorta compared to mild CoA group.
- Aortic dilatation was significantly more in the severe CoA group than in the ventricular septal defect group.
- Coarctation severity was an independent predictor of aortic dilatation.

## Abstract

To evaluate the occurrence of aortic dilatation and its associated predictors
with coarctation of the aorta (CoA) in infants using multi-slice computed
tomography (MSCT).

The clinical data of 47 infantile patients with CoA diagnosed by MSCT and 28
infantile patients with simple ventricular septal defect were analyzed
retrospectively. Aortic diameters were measured at six different levels, and
aortic sizes were compared by z score. The coarctation site-diaphragm ratio
was used to describe the degree of narrowing. Relevant clinical data were
collated and analyzed.

The dilation rate and z score of the ascending aorta in the severe CoA group
were significantly higher than those in the mild CoA group (11 [52.38%] vs.
21 [80.77%], P=0.038 and 2.00 ± 0.48 vs. 2.36 ± 0.43,
P=0.010). Pearson’s correlation analysis found that the z score of the
ascending aorta was negatively correlated with the coarctation
site-diaphragm ratio value (r=-0.410, P=0.004). A logistic retrospective
analysis found that an increased degree of coarctation was an independent
predictor of aortic dilatation (adjusted odds ratio 0.002; 95% confidence
interval 0.00-0.819; P=0.043). The z score of the ascending aorta in the
severe CoA group was significantly higher than that in the ventricular
septal defect group (P<0.05).

Most infants with CoA can also have significant dilatation of the ascending
aorta, and the degree of this dilatation is related to the degree of
coarctation. Assessment of aortic diameter and related malformations by MSCT
can predict the risk of aortic dilatation in infants with CoA.