pediatrics
Tricuspid Atresia
Diagnosis of Tricuspid Atresia
Chest x-ray and ECG Echocardiography Usually cardiac catheterization Diagnosis of tricuspid atresia is suspected clinically, supported by chest x-ray and ECG, and established by 2-dimensional echocardiography with color flow and Doppler studies. In the most common form, chest x-ray shows normal or slightly increased heart size, right atrial enlargement, and decreased pulmonary vascular markings. Occasionally, the cardiac silhouette resembles that of Tetralogy of Fallot (with a boot-shaped heart and concave pulmonary artery segment). Pulmonary vascular markings may be increased and cardiomegaly may be present in infants with associated Cardiac catheterization may be useful (particularly in older children) before the first palliative procedure to define hemodynamics and pulmonary artery anatomy. 