Double-chambered right ventricle or sub-infundibular stenosis assessed by cardiovascular magnetic resonance

Role of Echocardiograghy in Treating a Case of Double Chamber Right Ventricle with Delayed Presentation

The clinical diagnosis of double chamber right ventricle (DCRV) is not straightforward. Clinical history, clinical examination, 12-lead electrocardiogram, chest X-ray, and Echocardiography (echo) contribute to morphological diagnosis. Cardiac catheterization is essential for hemodynamic evaluation. A thorough presurgical workup helps the cardiac surgeon to choose the appropriate surgical approach and timing of surgery in an individual case. We present a case of a DCRV who presented to us in the fifth decade of life. Echo confirmed the morphological diagnosis and cardiac catheterization complemented the exact pull back gradient across the obstruction in the right ventricle. This patient was suggested muscle bundle resection and ventricular septal defect closure using right atrial approach.

Double chambered right ventricle with ventricular septal defect in adults: case series and review of the literature

Double-chambered right ventricle (DCRV) is an uncommon congenital anomaly in which anomalous muscle bands divide the right ventricle into two chambers; a proximal high-pressure and distal low-pressure chamber. It may be associated with mid right ventricular obstruction. It is commonly associated with other congenital anomalies, most frequently perimembranous ventricular septal defect (PM-VSD). We herein present 5 adult patients with concomitant DCRV and PM-VSD who varied in their symptomatic presentations and the ways of management.

Increased right ventricular Septomarginal trabeculation mass is a novel marker for pulmonary hypertension: comparison with ventricular mass index and right ventricular mass

OBJECTIVE

: To prospectively evaluate the cardiac magnetic resonance (MR) imaging-derived measurement of right ventricular (RV) septomarginal trabeculation (SMT) mass as a noninvasive marker for pulmonary hypertension (PH), compared with the ventricular mass index (VMI = RV mass/left ventricular mass) and RV mass.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

: A total of 49 patients (60 ± 12 years; 35 female) with suspected PH underwent cardiac MR and right heart catheterization on the same day. Eighteen normal volunteers were also included. The performance of SMT mass, VMI and RV mass measurement, with regard to PH detection, was analyzed using receiver operating characteristic curves. Logistic regression analysis was used to assess the association between SMT mass, RV mass, VMI, and PH.

RESULTS

: The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve for SMT mass/body surface area (BSA), VMI, and RV mass/BSA in diagnosing the presence or absence of PH was 0.88, 0.87, and 0.73 respectively. In multivariable models, both SMT mass/BSA (P = 0.005, odds ratio: 8.6) and VMI (P = 0. 012, odds ratio: 1.1) were found to be significant, independent predictors of PH.

CONCLUSION

: Compared with right heart catheterization measurement, SMT mass and VMI are reproducible and noninvasive MR imaging markers for the diagnosis of PH.

Primary infundibular stenosis and pedigree analysis in three Golden Retriever littermates

Three eight-week-old Golden Retriever puppy littermates were evaluated because of left basilar systolic murmurs and were diagnosed with primary infundibular stenosis. Pedigree analysis in this line was also performed to identify a mode of inheritance. All dogs were asymptomatic at the time of diagnosis; two of the three had congenital lesions in addition to primary infundibular stenosis. Two additional affected dogs were identified in the line, and pedigree analysis suggested an autosomal recessive mode of inheritance. Another, unrelated golden retriever was also identified with isolated infundibular stenosis in the record database. Primary infundibular stenosis should be considered in the differential diagnoses for golden retriever dogs with a left basilar systolic murmur, and is often associated with complex congenital cardiac disease. Primary infundibular stenosis may worsen in severity with time, and in this line of dogs an autosomal recessive pattern of inheritance is likely.

The role of cardiovascular magnetic resonance in adults with congenital heart disease

The comprehensive coverage and versatility of cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR), providing functional as well as anatomical information, make it an important facility in a center specializing in the care of adults with congenital heart disease. Imaging specialists using CMR to investigate acquired heart disease should also be able to recognize and evaluate previously unsuspected congenital malformations. Conditions that may present or be picked up during imaging in adulthood include atrial septal defect, anomalously connected pulmonary veins, double-chambered right ventricle, congenitally corrected transposition of the great arteries, aortic coarctation, and patent arterial duct. To realize its full potential and to avoid pitfalls, CMR of adults with congenital heart disease requires specific training and experience. Appropriate pathophysiological understanding is needed to evaluate cardiovascular function after surgery for tetralogy of Fallot, after transposition of the great arteries, and after Fontan operations. For these and other more complex cases, CMR should ideally be undertaken by specialists committed to long-term collaboration with the clinicians and surgeons managing the patients in a tertiary referral center.

Imaging congenital heart disease in adults

Transthoracic echocardiography is the first-line modality for cardiovascular imaging in adults with congenital heart disease (ACHD). The windows of access that are possible with transthoracic echocardiography are, however, rarely adequate for all regions of interest. The choice of further imaging depends on the clinical questions that remain to be addressed. The strengths of MRI include comprehensive access and coverage, providing imaging of all parts of the right ventricle, the pulmonary arteries, pulmonary veins and aorta. Cine images and velocity maps are acquired in specifically aligned planes, with stacks of cines or dynamic contrast angiography providing more comprehensive coverage. Tissues can be characterised if necessary, and MRI provides relatively accurate measurements of biventricular function and volume flow. These parameters are important in the assessment and follow-up of adults after repairs for tetralogy of Fallot or transposition of the great arteries and after Fontan operations. The superior spatial resolution and rapid acquisition of CT are invaluable in selected situations, including the visualisation of anomalous coronary or aortopulmonary collateral arteries, the assessment of luminal patency after stenting and imaging in patients with pacemakers. Ionising radiation is, however, a concern in younger patients who may need repeated investigation. Adults with relatively complex conditions should ideally be imaged in a specialist ACHD centre, where dedicated echocardiographic and cardiovascular MRI services are a necessary facility. General radiologists should be aware of the nature and pathophysiology of congenital heart disease, and should be alert for previously undiagnosed cases presenting in adulthood, including cases of atrial septal defect, aortic coarctation, patent ductus arteriosus, double-chambered right ventricle and congenitally corrected transposition.

Recommendations for cardiovascular magnetic resonance in adults with congenital heart disease from the respective working groups of the European Society of Cardiology

This paper aims to provide information and explanations regarding the clinically relevant options, strengths, and limitations of cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) in relation to adults with congenital heart disease (CHD). Cardiovascular magnetic resonance can provide assessments of anatomical connections, biventricular function, myocardial viability, measurements of flow, angiography, and more, without ionizing radiation. It should be regarded as a necessary facility in a centre specializing in the care of adults with CHD. Also, those using CMR to investigate acquired heart disease should be able to recognize and evaluate previously unsuspected CHD such as septal defects, anomalously connected pulmonary veins, or double-chambered right ventricle. To realize its full potential and to avoid pitfalls, however, CMR of CHD requires training and experience. Appropriate pathophysiological understanding is needed to evaluate cardiovascular function after surgery for tetralogy of Fallot, transposition of the great arteries, and after Fontan operations. For these and other complex CHD, CMR should be undertaken by specialists committed to long-term collaboration with the clinicians and surgeons managing the patients. We provide a table of CMR acquisition protocols in relation to CHD categories as a guide towards appropriate use of this uniquely versatile imaging modality.

An elderly case of right ventricular outflow obstruction precisely diagnosed and successfully treated with surgical repair

Congenital diseases causing an obstruction of the right ventricular outflow are difficult to precisely diagnose, especially in elderly patients. Here, we describe a 76-year-old woman who presented to our hospital with shortness of breath on exertion and was finally diagnosed as infundibular pulmonary stenosis by multiple modalities. Surgery was successfully performed and the symptom was relieved. This case underscored the usefulness of multiple modalities for the precise assessment of the right ventricular outflow obstruction and the effectiveness of surgery even in elderly patients with infundibular pulmonary stenosis.

Usefulness of 3D reconstructed computed tomography imaging for double outlet right ventricle

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE

To evaluate the value of 3D reconstructed computed tomography (CT) imaging for patients with double outlet right ventricle (DORV).

METHODS

CT images were obtained preoperatively from 17 patients who ranged in age from 5 days to 5 years. Reconstructed 3D images were created using gradient-shading surface rendering, which allowed partial subtraction of the anterior sections of the virtual heart to view the interior. Interpretations of CT, echocardiography and cine-cardioangiography were compared and verified from surgical findings, autopsy, and consensus upon review of all imaging and diagnostic tests.

RESULTS

Three subaortic, seven subpulmonary, six non-committed, and one double-committed subtypes of ventricular septal defect (VSD) were observed. The 3D electron beam CT images provided good delineation of the spatial relationship inside the heart. The range of diagnostic accuracy for all VSD types in DORV was 88-100% for 3D CT, 71-94% for echocardiography, and 60-100% for cine-cardioangiography. In comparison, 3D CT offered better diagnostic accuracy for all variants of DORV.

CONCLUSION

3D constructed CT imaging is a good modality for differentiating VSD type in DORV. It allowed us to directly evaluate the inside of cardiac chambers for the right ventricular outlet, great arterial root, and determine the VSD relationships.

Non-invasive imaging in adult congenital heart disease using cardiovascular magnetic resonance

The population of adults with congenital heart disease is growing. Cardiovascular magnetic resonance can provide functional as well as structural data even in the setting of complex anatomy. Due to the lack of ionizing radiation cardiovascular magnetic resonance lends itself to serial follow-up of patients with adult congenital heart disease and can be used for the investigation of altered symptoms or signs, planning of transcatheter or surgical intervention, and for baseline post-operative assessment. Both in clinical practice and in research, cardiovascular magnetic resonance has distinct advantages for assessment of the right as well as left ventricle, as no geometrical assumptions are made, and it can quantify ventricular volumes, function and mass. The utility of cardiovascular magnetic resonance and its potential lifelong contribution to the management of different adult congenital heart disease patients is discussed below.

Double-chambered right ventricle in an adult with Noonan syndrome

We report the case of a double-chambered right ventricle in a 59-year-old man with previously undiagnosed Noonan syndrome. The patient presented with dyspnea on exertion and his transthoracic echocardiogram suggested a right ventricular outflow tract obstruction. Cardiac catheterization, cardiac magnetic resonance imaging, and transesophageal echocardiography revealed a hypertrophic muscle bundle dynamically obstructing right ventricular outflow. He was referred for operative repair of his double-chambered right ventricle and had successful patch expansion of his right ventricular outflow tract. In addition, he underwent a medical genetics evaluation that confirmed a new diagnosis of Noonan syndrome. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of a double-chambered right ventricle in an adult patient with Noonan syndrome.

Isolated Subvalvular Pulmonary Stenosis: Depiction at Whole Heart Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Isolated subvalvular pulmonary stenosis is a rare condition and its morphological evaluation is obscure. Whole heart magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a new, totally non-invasive technique which allows three-dimensional comprehension of the cardiac structure. We describe a patient with isolated subvalvular pulmonary stenosis, in whom whole heart MRI was useful to detect and evaluate the right ventricular outflow obstruction.

The role of echocardiography in diagnosing double chambered right ventricle in adults

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the utility of echocardiography in diagnosing double chambered right ventricle (DCRV) in adults.

DESIGN

A retrospective study.

SETTING

Department of Congenital Heart Diseases and Department of Cardiac Surgery, Institute of Cardiology, Warsaw, Poland.

PATIENTS

32 patients, mean age 32.5 years, 21 female, and 11 male.

INTERVENTION

Transthoracic (TTE) and transoesophageal (TOE) echocardiographic examination in patients with suspected DCRV.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Direct inspection during surgical treatment of 28 patients diagnosed as having DCRV as an isolated lesion or associated with other pathologies.

RESULTS

Echocardiography allowed the final diagnosis of DCRV in 26 patients (81%) out of 32 studied. TTE was diagnostic in 5 (15.6%) whereas TOE was diagnostic in 21 of 21 studied by this technique. Of 6 patients with negative TTE, DCRV was identified by cardiac catheterisation in 3 and directly during surgery in the remaining 3. Of 26 patients diagnosed by echocardiography, the anomalous muscle bundle was discrete in 20 (77%) and diffuse in 6 (23%). In 23 patients (88%) right ventricular outflow obstruction was localised low in the right ventricle, and in the remaining 3 (11.5%), the obstruction was localised high in the right ventricle. Abnormal bundles localised high were discrete, bundles localised in the lower part of right ventricle were discrete in 17 (74%) and diffuse in the remaining 6 (26%). DCRV was an isolated lesion in only 2 patients (6.2%). In all subjects surgical inspection confirmed echocardiographic data.

CONCLUSIONS

Echocardiography was very useful to diagnose DCRV in adults as well as to identify its anatomic type. Comparing two different approaches, TOE better defines the entire scope of pathology, including estimation of the resultant systolic pressure gradient within the right ventricular cavity.

When to order cardiovascular magnetic resonance in adults with congenital heart disease

Cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR), where available, contributes to the informed management of patients with congenital heart disease. In contrast to echocardiography, CMR becomes easier as patients grow. It is versatile and gives unrestricted access to the heart and intrathoracic vessels, providing functional and structural information. Its relative strengths are discussed, and examples are given of congenital conditions in which it provides clinically important information. CMR can prevent the need for diagnostic catheterization or expedite intervention if indicated, enabling planned, directed procedures. In our practice, CMR is used for serial follow-up, investigation of altered symptoms or signs, planning of transcatheter or surgical interventions, and for baseline assessment after surgery. As CMR becomes more widely available, it will contribute increasingly to the lifelong management of patients with congenital heart disease.