Imaging the adult with transposition of the great arteries

Abstract

Purpose of review Patients with complete and congenitally corrected transposition of the great arteries commonly survive into adulthood and present with a vast array of clinical residua. Recent findings Echocardiography remains the primary imaging modality in the routine assessment of the adult with transposition of the great arteries. It provides a comprehensive anatomic and hemodynamic evaluation. Limitations to echocardiography include evaluation of the following: the systemic right ventricle, baffle patency following atrial switch procedure, coronary arteries following arterial switch procedure or Nikadoh, and multilevel right ventricular outflow tract obstruction. Summary Each form of palliation for transposition of the great arteries results in unique long-term sequelae that affect outcomes. A multimodality approach to imaging is required for a complete evaluation.