Comparative Evaluation of Transthoracic Echocardiography and Multislice Computed Tomography in the Preoperative Assessment of Tetralogy of Fallot

Abstract

Background

Tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) is the most common cyanotic congenital heart disease, requiring precise anatomical assessment for optimal surgical planning. Transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) and multislice computed tomography (MSCT) are widely used imaging modalities for TOF evaluation, yet their relative diagnostic value, particularly in infants, remains an area of active investigation. This study aims to compare the diagnostic performance of TTE and MSCT in assessing intracardiac and extracardiac abnormalities in infants with TOF, with surgical findings as the reference standard.

Materials and Methods

A prospective, single-center study was conducted on 35 infants diagnosed with TOF who underwent both TTE and 128-slice MSCT before surgical repair. Imaging findings were compared with intraoperative measurements, evaluating the sensitivity, specificity, and agreement (Cohen's kappa) between modalities.

Results

TTE and MSCT demonstrated comparable accuracy in assessing intracardiac abnormalities, with TTE showing slightly better agreement with surgical findings for ventricular septal defect (VSD) localization (κ = 0.581) than MSCT (κ = 0.485). Both modalities underestimated VSD size compared with intraoperative measurements, with MSCT showing a greater degree of underestimation (p < 0.001). In contrast, MSCT exhibited superior sensitivity in detecting extracardiac abnormalities, including coronary artery anomalies (100 vs. 50%) and major aortopulmonary collateral arteries (90 vs. 25%). While higher-generation MSCT scanners offer improved image resolution, the use of a 128-slice MSCT scanner proved to be a feasible alternative when more advanced technology is unavailable.

Conclusion

TTE remains a reliable imaging modality for intracardiac assessment and is not inferior to MSCT in evaluating cardiac deformities in TOF. However, MSCT provides superior anatomical delineation of extracardiac structures, making it valuable for comprehensive preoperative planning. Despite its operator dependency, TTE remains the preferred first-line imaging tool due to its noninvasiveness and real-time functional assessment, whereas MSCT serves as a complementary modality, particularly for extracardiac evaluation. Further multicenter studies with larger cohorts are warranted to refine imaging protocols and optimize TOF assessment strategies in infants.

Keywords

tetralogy of Fallot - echocardiography - multidetector computed tomography

Note

Language editing was performed by Editage.

Authors' Contributions

The research hypothesis was introduced by V.H. G.T.T. were responsible for the data collection. Data analysis was performed by D.N.D. and D.T.N., revised by D.T.V. D.T.V. were responsible for writing the article. V.H. was responsible for final correction of the article. D.T.V. was responsible for revising the article after the first submission.

Data Availability Statement

Datasets generated during and/or analyzed during the current study are publicly available, available upon reasonable request.

Ethical Approval

The study was approved by the hospital ethics committee: Hanoi Heart Hospital Ethics Committee, signed by the Director of the Hanoi Heart Hospital.

Patients' Consent

The legal guardians of all participants received clear explanations of the data collection process and provided written informed consent before participation.

Publication History

Article published online:
12 July 2025

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