Congenital Heart Disease: Morphological and Functional Assessment

This book comprehensively covers the latest information about ventricular–vascular morphology and function in congenital heart disease (CHD) assessed by various innovative methodologies.

Anatomical (morphological) abnormalities in CHD are generally accompanied with abnormal loading conditions, which, in turn, cause ventricular and vascular functional impairments. The functional impairments may also exist independently of the anatomical abnormalities. These two (morphological and functional abnormalities) importantly interact to determine underlying pathophysiology and generate clinical symptoms in CHD. Therefore, detailed and precise assessment of morphology and function is essential to better understand and treat this disease. Recent advances in technology have provided useful tools for this purpose, and novel findings are accumulating. The information contained here will provide researchers and clinicians with invaluable knowledge in this field.