Acquired left ventricular-right atrial communication: Gerbode-type defect.
Left ventricular-right atrial (LV-RA) communications are rare intracardiac defects, often congenital in nature and clinically apparent during childhood. Acquired LV-RA shunts are encountered occasionally in the adult population as a result of a defect in the upper portion of the membranous ventricular septum. We describe the clinical and echocardiographic features of an elderly patient with an acquired LV-RA communication in the setting of an aortic composite valve graft and endocarditis. We also review the anatomical features and hemodynamic consequences of such defects.
Wasserman
Scott M
SM
Section of Cardiology, Palo Alto Veterans Affairs Medical Center, 3801 Miranda Ave, 111-C, Palo Alto, CA 94304, USA.
Fann
James I
JI
Atwood
J Edwin
JE
Burdon
Thomas A
TA
Fadel
Bahaa M
BM
D000368:Aged; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018618:Echocardiography, Doppler, Color; D017548:Echocardiography, Transesophageal / Q000379:methods*; D004697:Endocarditis, Bacterial / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000188:drug therapy; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006344:Heart Septal Defects, Atrial / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D006345:Heart Septal Defects, Ventricular / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D013203:Staphylococcal Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000188:drug therapy
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents