[Development of double-chambered right ventricle after surgical closure of a ventricular septal defect].
The double-chambered right ventricle (DCRV) is a rare cardiac malformation, often associated with ventricular septal defect (VSD).


METHODS
The authors describe a case of DCRV in a child who underwent surgical repair of perimembranous VSD at the age of 7 months because of systemic pulmonary artery hypertension and growth retardation. At this time, no pressure gradient was measured within the right ventricle and no muscle proliferation was observed on echocardiography or right ventriculography. Postoperative follow-up revealed hypertrophy of the moderator band accompanied by progressive development of a right midventricular pressure gradient, which reached 60 mm Hg at the age of 3 1/2 years. The child was operated after invasive confirmation of the diagnosis of DCRV and the haemodynamic data. The child is now 6 years old and no restenosis has been observed.


CONCLUSIONS
DCRV is usually associated with VSD, but the course of the two diseases can be dissociated. The diagnosis of DCRV must be considered in any child with a history of VSD, even after surgical or spontaneous closure, when clinical examination reveals a systolic ejection murmur.
Massin
M
M
Département Universitaire de Pédiatrie, CHR Citadelle, Liège, Belgique.
D000015:Abnormalities, Multiple; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004452:Echocardiography; D006130:Growth Disorders / Q000151:congenital*; D006345:Heart Septal Defects, Ventricular / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery; D006352:Heart Ventricles / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D011651:Pulmonary Artery / Q000002:abnormalities / Q000601:surgery; D011666:Pulmonary Valve Stenosis / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery