Weight-adapted low-kilovoltage contrast-enhanced chest CT examinations can be routinely performed with 80 kV. Use of these protocols results in good diagnostic image quality and makes it possible to reduce contrast material use by more than 50%.

No abstract

Results of aortic arch repair for interrupted aortic arch or aortic coarctation have considerably improved. However, re-stenosis or aneurysm formation is a common complication requiring complex re-interventions or even extra-anatomic bypass grafting. In two patients with recurrent coarctation, the use of cardiopulmonary bypass was mandatory, in one due to the concomitant repair of the intra-cardiac defect, in the other due to the small aortic arch, the long segment aortic coarctation and the small diameter of the supra-aortic vessels. In both patients a segment of the ascending aorta was interposed between the distal aortic arch and the proximal descending aorta with uneventful postoperative courses and freedom from pathological findings at 1 year and 6 months follow-up. In patients undergoing complex congenital heart surgery involving the ascending aorta, a segment of the autologous ascending aorta may be used to repair recurrent isthmic stenosis, avoiding the use of any foreign material.