RT Journal
A1 SINGLETON EB, McNAMARA DG, COOLEY DA
T1 RAdiologic features of isolated ventricular septal defects
JF A.M.A. Archives of Surgery
JO A.M.A. Archives of Surgery
YR 1959
FD November 1
VO 79
IS 5
SP 715
OP 723
DO 10.1001/archsurg.1959.04320110017003
UL http://dx.doi.org/10.1001/archsurg.1959.04320110017003
AB The roentgenologic features of isolated ventricular septal defects depend upon size of the defect, amount of pulmonary resistance, and resulting direction and degree of the shunt. Fluoroscopy is indispensable in evaluating the physiologic alterations in all forms of congenital heart disease and should be a part of the radiologic evaluation of ventricular septal defects. Routine chest roentgenograms, including posteroanterior and right and left oblique with radiopaque contrast material in the esophagus, are equally important not only in determining the anatomical alterations but also in serving as a permanent record for comparison with subsequent studies. There are no pathognomonic radiographic characteristics of ventricular septal defects, but certain distinguishing features should be recognized. Because the alteration in cardiac configuration in ventricular septal defects as well as in other types of congenital heart disease is dependent upon pressure changes, we have devised the following classification in which the radiologic features are correlated with