Selecting optimal imaging modalities for total anomalous pulmonary venous connection visualization

Bastarbekova L. Rakhimzhanova R. Dautov T. Altenov K. Moldakhanova Z. Zholshybek N.
December 2025 Springer Nature

Egyptian Journal of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine
2025 #56 Issue 1

In healthy individuals, pulmonary veins drain oxygenated blood from the lungs into the left atrium. Total anomalous pulmonary venous connection (TAPVC) disrupts this process, causing severe clinical issues. TAPVC is classified into four types based on drainage site: supracardiac, cardiac, infracardiac, and mixed. Untreated, TAPVC is life-threatening with high neonatal mortality, though surgical advances have lowered mortality rates to below 10%. Early diagnosis and intervention are critical for better outcomes, especially in obstructed cases. Transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) is the primary diagnostic tool for TAPVC, identifying the absence of pulmonary venous connection to the left atrium and the presence of a common pulmonary venous trunk. However, TTE’s limitations, such as poor acoustic windows and inadequate spatial resolution, often necessitate advanced imaging like computed tomography angiography (CTA) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). CTA offers high spatial and temporal resolution, providing detailed anatomical information crucial for preoperative planning. Although it involves radiation exposure, it outperforms TTE in visualizing extracardiac vascular structures. MRI provides comprehensive anatomical and functional assessments without radiation, making it ideal for younger patients. It evaluates ventricular function, shunt ratios, and vascular anomalies but requires longer acquisition times. Cardiac catheterization remains the reference standard for diagnosing complex TAPVC, offering direct hemodynamic assessment despite being invasive. TTE is the first-line diagnostic tool for neonates, while CTA and MRI are preferred for detailed anatomical and functional assessments in adults. The manuscript reviews and compares these imaging techniques for optimal TAPVC diagnosis and management.

Cardiovascular abnormalities , Cardiovascular imaging , Imaging modalities , Pulmonary veins , Total anomalous pulmonary venous connection

Text of the article Перейти на текст статьи

Heart Center, University Medical Center, Astana, Kazakhstan
Scientific Research Institute of Radiology named after Zh.Kh. Khamzabayev, Astana Medical University, Astana, Kazakhstan
Clinical and Academic Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, University Medical Center, Astana, Kazakhstan
Anesthesiology, Resuscitation and Intensive Care Unit, Pavlodar Regional Cardiology Center, Pavlodar, Kazakhstan
School of Medicine, Nazarbayev University, Astana, Kazakhstan

Heart Center
Scientific Research Institute of Radiology named after Zh.Kh. Khamzabayev
Clinical and Academic Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine
Anesthesiology
School of Medicine

10 лет помогаем публиковать статьи Международный издатель

Книга Публикация научной статьи Волощук 2026 Book Publication of a scientific article 2026