1
|
Chowdhury UK, Anderson RH, George N, Singh S, Sankhyan LK, Pradeep D, Chauhan A, Sengupta S, Vaswani P. A Review of the Surgical Management of Aorto-ventricular Tunnels. World J Pediatr Congenit Heart Surg 2021; 12:103-115. [PMID: 33407031 DOI: 10.1177/2150135120954809] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
We present a synthesis of 95 published investigations of the exceedingly rare tunnels that can exist between the aortic root and the left or right ventricles. From the 220 suitable cases included in these investigations, we reviewed the clinical presentations, modalities used for diagnosis, surgical approaches, and outcomes. Diagnostic information was provided by clinical presentation, radiographic findings, saline contrast echocardiography, computed tomographic angiocardiography, magnetic resonance imaging, cardiac catheterization, and angiocardiography. These techniques elucidated the coronary arterial origins and associated defects and defined the disease before surgery. Patients occasionally present with an asymptomatic cardiac murmur and cardiomegaly, but most suffer cardiac failure in the first year of life when the tunnel enters the left ventricle. Antenatal diagnosis by fetal echocardiography is reliable after 18 weeks of gestation. Associated defects, involving the proximal coronary arteries or the aortic or pulmonary valves, are present in nearly half the cases. Prompt diagnosis and surgical repair are important for a favorable outcome. Overall, operative mortality has been cited to be between 3% and 8.3%. Associated congenital coronary arterial anomalies, residual severe aortic stenosis, poor left ventricular function, and rupture of an infected suture line have been the reported causes of death. Despite early surgical intervention, an incidence of 16% to 60% postoperative residual aortic regurgitation of varying severity has been reported. The requirement of further repair or replacement of the aortic valve ranges from 0% to 50%. We submit that an increased appreciation of these details relative to the tunnels will contribute to improved surgical management.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ujjwal Kumar Chowdhury
- Cardiothoracic Sciences Centre, 28730All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
| | - Robert H Anderson
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, United Kingdom
| | - Niwin George
- Cardiothoracic Sciences Centre, 28730All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
| | - Sukhjeet Singh
- Cardiothoracic Sciences Centre, 28730All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
| | - Lakshmi Kumari Sankhyan
- Cardiothoracic Sciences Centre, 28730All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
| | - Doniparthi Pradeep
- Cardiothoracic Sciences Centre, 28730All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
| | - Abhinavsingh Chauhan
- Cardiothoracic Sciences Centre, 28730All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
| | - Sanjoy Sengupta
- Cardiothoracic Sciences Centre, 28730All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
| | - Prateek Vaswani
- Cardiothoracic Sciences Centre, 28730All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Abstract
Aorto-ventricular tunnel is an extremely rare congenital heart defect, consisting of failure of attachment of an aortic leaflet along the semilunar hinge. In all published reports the leaflet involved was either the right coronary leaflet, most frequently, or the left coronary leaflet, in most of the cases opening toward the left ventricle, with only one-eighth of the reported cases communicating with the right ventricle. Treatment of the aorto-ventricular tunnel has been anecdotally reported by interventional closure with a device and more frequently with surgical approach, either as an isolated malformation or as associated lesions. To the best of our knowledge, the presence of an aorto-ventricular tunnel of the non-adjacent aortic leaflet in transposition of the great arteries has never been reported. We have observed an aorto-ventricular tunnel involving the non-adjacent leaflet of the aortic root, which after arterial switch became the pulmonary root. The patient presented 18 years after the arterial switch with progressive dilatation of the right ventricle due to severe degree of pulmonary valve regurgitation, confirmed by echocardiography and cardiac MRI. Indication for surgery was given with the plan for a pulmonary valve implantation. Because of the intra-operative finding of disconnection of the anterior leaflet of the pulmonary valve (former aortic valve) along the semilunar hinge, the surgical plan was modified and the anterior leaflet was attached to the valve annulus, with subsequent plasty in correspondence with the right and left commissurae to reduce the size of the dilated annulus to normal diameter. The post-operative course was uneventful, with extubation after few hours and discharge 4 days after surgery, with echocardiography showing trivial degree of pulmonary valve regurgitation. The patient remains in good conditions 6 months after surgery.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Antonio F Corno
- Cardiovascular Research Center, University of Leicester, Leicester, United Kingdom.,East Midlands Congenital Heart Center, University Hospitals of Leicester, Glenfield Hospital, Leicester, United Kingdom
| | - Saravanan Durairaj
- East Midlands Congenital Heart Center, University Hospitals of Leicester, Glenfield Hospital, Leicester, United Kingdom
| | - Robert H Anderson
- Institute of Genetic Medicine, International Centre for Life, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Xie M, Yin J, Lv Q, Wang J. Clinical value of diagnosing aortico-left ventricular tunnel by echocardiography. Exp Ther Med 2016; 12:3315-3319. [PMID: 27882155 PMCID: PMC5103784 DOI: 10.3892/etm.2016.3747] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2016] [Accepted: 09/20/2016] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
In order to assess the clinical value of echocardiography in the diagnosis of aortico-left ventricular tunnel (ALVT) the echocardiographic data and clinical manifestations of six patients with ALVT were analyzed in the present study. Based on the results, a comprehensive study was conducted regarding 147 cases from related documents. Six patients were confirmed with ALVT by surgery. The echocardiographic images of the patients revealed an abnormal communication beginning in the ascending aorta above the coronary arteries, bypassing the aortic valve, and ending in the left ventricle. The color Doppler flow imaging showed a high-speed to- and -fro flow with or without the involvement of the aortic valve. According to Hovaguimian type casting, there were two cases of type I, two cases of type III, one case of type IV, and one case of type II (postoperative recanalization). Of the 153 cases reported, the accuracy rate of the ultrasound diagnosis was 79.6%, the misdiagnosis rate was 17.1%, and the missed diagnostic rate was 3.3%. In conclusion, echocardiography is the preferred method for non-invasive preoperative diagnosis of the ALVT and can accurately describe the type and involvement of the cardiac structure.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Manying Xie
- Department of Ultrasound Imaging, Xiangyang Hospital Affiliated to Hubei University of Medicine, Xiangyang, Hubei 441000, P.R. China
| | - Jiabao Yin
- Department of Ultrasound Imaging, Xiangyang Hospital Affiliated to Hubei University of Medicine, Xiangyang, Hubei 441000, P.R. China
| | - Qing Lv
- Department of Ultrasound Imaging, Xiehe Hospital Affiliated to Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430022, P.R. China
| | - Jing Wang
- Department of Ultrasound Imaging, Xiehe Hospital Affiliated to Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430022, P.R. China
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Abstract
Aorto-ventricular tunnel is a congenital, extracardiac channel which connects the ascending aorta above the sinutubular junction to the cavity of the left, or (less commonly) right ventricle. The exact incidence is unknown, estimates ranging from 0.5% of fetal cardiac malformations to less than 0.1% of congenitally malformed hearts in clinico-pathological series. Approximately 130 cases have been reported in the literature, about twice as many cases in males as in females. Associated defects, usually involving the proximal coronary arteries, or the aortic or pulmonary valves, are present in nearly half the cases. Occasional patients present with an asymptomatic heart murmur and cardiac enlargement, but most suffer heart failure in the first year of life. The etiology of aorto-ventricular tunnel is uncertain. It appears to result from a combination of maldevelopment of the cushions which give rise to the pulmonary and aortic roots, and abnormal separation of these structures. Echocardiography is the diagnostic investigation of choice. Antenatal diagnosis by fetal echocardiography is reliable after 18 weeks gestation. Aorto-ventricular tunnel must be distinguished from other lesions which cause rapid run-off of blood from the aorta and produce cardiac failure. Optimal management of symptomatic aorto-ventricular tunnel consists of diagnosis by echocardiography, complimented with cardiac catheterization as needed to elucidate coronary arterial origins or associated defects, and prompt surgical repair. Observation of the exceedingly rare, asymptomatic patient with a small tunnel may be justified by occasional spontaneous closure. All patients require life-long follow-up for recurrence of the tunnel, aortic valve incompetence, left ventricular function, and aneurysmal enlargement of the ascending aorta.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Roxane McKay
- Division of Cardiovascular Surgery, Le Bonheur Children's Hospital, Memphis, TN 38103, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Chowdhury UK, Kothari SS, Airan B. Successful two patch repair of the aortico-left ventricular tunnel. Heart Lung Circ 2000; 9:32-5. [PMID: 16351991 DOI: 10.1046/j.1444-2892.2000.009001032.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
A 7-month-old boy with aortico-left ventricular tunnel arising from the right coronary sinus underwent surgical correction using the two patch technique. The diagnosis was confirmed by 2D and Doppler echocardiogram alone. Patch closure of both the aortic and ventricular ends of the tunnel is recommended in order to prevent postoperative aortic regurgitation and recurrence of the lesion.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- U K Chowdhury
- Department of Cardiothoracic & Vascular Surgery, Cardiothoracic Centre, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Ansari Nagar, New Delhi, India
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
6
|
Michielon G, Sorbara C, Casarotto DC. Repair of aortico-left ventricular tunnel originating from the left aortic sinus. Ann Thorac Surg 1998; 65:1780-3. [PMID: 9647106 DOI: 10.1016/s0003-4975(98)00211-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
We report on a case of an 11-year-old asymptomatic child with aortico-left ventricular tunnel arising from the left aortic sinus. Preoperative transesophageal echocardiography showed a dilated aortic root with mild aortic valve incompetence and demonstrated the course of the tunnel, which originated from the left coronary sinus entering the outlet portion of the left ventricular outflow tract. Patch closure of the aortic end of the tunnel eliminated left ventricular volume overload with immediate marked reduction of cardiomegaly. At 10-month follow-up the child is asymptomatic and receiving no oral medications. Control two-dimensional Doppler echocardiography shows trivial central aortic valve incompetence.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- G Michielon
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, University of Padua Medical School, Italy
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
7
|
Sousa-Uva M, Touchot A, Fermont L, Piot D, Delezoide AL, Serraf A, Lacour-Gayet F, Roussin R, Bruniaux J, Planché C. Aortico-left ventricular tunnel in fetuses and infants. Ann Thorac Surg 1996; 61:1805-10. [PMID: 8651788 DOI: 10.1016/0003-4975(96)00189-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Aortico-left ventricular tunnel is a rare congenital abnormal communication between the aorta and the left ventricle presenting in early childhood as aortic regurgitation and cardiac failure. This condition has rarely been reported in fetuses. Operation is the only treatment, and postoperative aortic incompetence could be related to the age or the type of repair. METHODS We conducted a retrospective, two-institution review, from 1983 to 1995, of aortico-left ventricular tunnel diagnosed in utero and before 6 months of age. RESULTS Three cases of aortico-left ventricular tunnel were diagnosed in utero by Doppler echocardiography between 22 and 24 weeks' gestation. Prenatal aortico-left ventricular tunnel was associated with severe left ventricular dysfunction, aortic valve anomalies, and fetal hydrops. One death occurred in utero and one immediately after birth, and in 1 case pregnancy was interrupted. In these 3 cases the diagnosis was confirmed by autopsy. Three neonates and 2 infants had the diagnosis of aortico-left ventricular tunnel made after birth and underwent successful surgical repair. At short and midterm follow-up all patients are alive and aortic valve regurgitation is absent or trivial. CONCLUSIONS This series shows that aortico-left ventricular tunnel covers an anatomic spectrum of lesions. Cases diagnosed in utero by Doppler echocardiography are characterized by severe ventricular dysfunction, associated aortic valve lesions, and poor outcome. Postnatal cases represent the more favorable end of the spectrum, with no associated lesions, and can be repaired without mortality and with good functional results.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- M Sousa-Uva
- Hôpital Marie Lannelongue, Le Plessis Robinson, France
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
8
|
Knott-Craig CJ, van der Merwe PL, Kalis NN, Hunter J. Repair of aortico-left ventricular tunnel associated with subpulmonary obstruction. Ann Thorac Surg 1992; 54:557-9. [PMID: 1510526 DOI: 10.1016/0003-4975(92)90455-d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Aortico-left ventricular tunnel is a rare congenital cardiac defect. Because the tunnel traverses the upper portion of the interventricular septum, the potential exists for an aneurysmal tunnel to obstruct the outflow of the right ventricle. We report our clinical experience with such a patient, and emphasize the importance of a two-patch technique to avoid its occurrence.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- C J Knott-Craig
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, University of Stellenbosch, Tygerberg, Republic of South Africa
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
9
|
Abstract
Over a 14 year period, four children (three male, one female) underwent surgical correction of an aortico-left ventricular tunnel. All presented in infancy (age range 5 days to 9 months). The presenting feature was a systolic and diastolic murmur in all, one of whom developed heart failure within 2 weeks of presentation. In the first two patients, the echocardiographic findings were inconclusive and the diagnosis was confirmed at cardiac catheterization (at 10 and 23 months of age, respectively); the other two were diagnosed echocardiographically by two-dimensional and Doppler color flow imaging. All four patients underwent surgery by patch closure of the aortic end of the tunnel (three patients) or direct suture closure (one patient) and there were no deaths. The mean age at operation was 11 months. During a mean follow-up period of 71 months (range 2 to 157), three patients have clinical and echocardiographic evidence of trivial aortic valve regurgitation, which was noted in the immediate postoperative period in one and at early (less than 6 months) follow-up study in the other two. All are symptom-free, are taking no medications and are growing and developing normally. Aortico-left ventricular tunnel can be accurately diagnosed by echocardiography. In patients presenting in infancy, echocardiography also provides the necessary morphologic information to enable surgical correction without angiography. Early operation is associated with an excellent outcome, whereas repair at a later age is associated with a high incidence of residual aortic regurgitation requiring further surgery.
Collapse
|
10
|
Sreeram N, Franks R, Walsh K. Aortic-ventricular tunnel in a neonate: diagnosis and management based on cross sectional and colour Doppler ultrasonography. BRITISH HEART JOURNAL 1991; 65:161-2. [PMID: 2015126 PMCID: PMC1024542 DOI: 10.1136/hrt.65.3.161] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
A five day old symptom free neonate was referred for assessment of a to and fro murmur associated with large volume pulses. Cross sectional echocardiography and colour flow mapping confirmed the diagnosis of an aortic-ventricular tunnel with forward flow into the aorta and regurgitant flow into the ventricle through both the tunnel and the dilated aortic valve ring. Surgical correction by patch closure of the aortic end of the tunnel was successfully undertaken two weeks later without any additional investigations. Postoperative echocardiography and colour flow imaging showed no aortic regurgitation and normal left ventricular dimensions and function.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- N Sreeram
- Heart Clinic, Royal Liverpool Children's Hospital
| | | | | |
Collapse
|