Radiologic Aspects of Operable Heart Disease

Patent ductus arteriosus and coarctation of the aorta are common causes of congestive heart failure in infancy, yet are more difficult to diagnose than in later life. Retrograde brachial aortography is a relatively simple method of establishing the diagnosis with assurance. A description ofthe technic is followed by a discussion of the normal aortogram in infancy. A relatively large series of cases, in which a high diagnostic yield was obtained, is analyzed. The hazards of the procedure are few if highly concentrated media are avoided and careful attention is paid to details of technic.