Growth-adjusted reference values for the main pulmonary artery-to-ascending aorta ratio derived from clinically indicated chest CT in children - Scorecard - MDSpire

Growth-adjusted reference values for the main pulmonary artery-to-ascending aorta ratio derived from clinically indicated chest CT in children

  • By

  • Ying Lyu

  • Mingshu Yang

  • Huaqin Bu

  • Chao Gong

  • Jinhua Ma

  • Tingting Luo

  • Li Zhong

  • Yongle Zhao

  • Xiao Yang

  • Ting Wang

  • Yan Chen

  • Daiyin Tian

  • July 18, 2026

Share

Clinical Scorecard: Reference Values for the Main Pulmonary Artery to Ascending Aorta Ratio Adjusted for Growth Based on Chest CT in Pediatric Patients

At a Glance

CategoryDetail
ConditionPulmonary Hypertension (PH)
Key MechanismsElevated pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) and increased right heart burden
Target PopulationPediatric patients under 18 years
Care SettingPediatric medical centers

Key Highlights

  • MPA/AA ratio is a supportive marker in evaluating PH in children.
  • Current pediatric recommendations rely on absolute MPA/AA thresholds.
  • Growth-adjusted reference values for MPA/AA are needed for accurate interpretation.
  • Study includes a modeling cohort and an independent RHC cohort.
  • CT examinations were performed using various scanners and protocols.

Guideline-Based Recommendations

Diagnosis

  • Right heart catheterization (RHC) is the reference standard for diagnosis.

Management

    Monitoring & Follow-up

      Risks

      • Examinations excluded if known conditions affecting pulmonary vascular hemodynamics are present.

      Patient & Prescribing Data

      Children without known conditions affecting pulmonary arterial morphology.

      CT-derived MPA/AA measurements are used for risk stratification.

      Clinical Best Practices

      • Use growth-adjusted MPA/AA ratios for individual interpretation in children.
      • Ensure adequate image quality for reliable MPA/AA measurement.

      Related Resources & Content

      Original Source(s)

      Related Content