ECHOCARDIOGRAPHIC DIAGNOSIS OF CONGENITAL LEFT-VENTRICULAR - RIGHT ATRIAL COMMUNICATION

  • 1 January 1979
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 9  (6) , 493-497
Abstract
Patients aged 8 mo. and 48 yr, referred for diagnosis of ventricular septal defect, were studied by ultrasound cardiography. In both, fluttering and anterior bowing of the systolic segment of the tricuspid valve was found, consistent with presence of left ventricular-right atrial shunt. Diagnosis was confirmed by angiography and at open-heart surgery, showing in 1 patient a supravalvular defect, and an infravalvular one in the other. Postoperative echocardiograms of the tricuspid valve were normal. Ultrasound cardiography appears to be a safe and simple method of detecting this rare cardiac abnormality.