title: Acquired left ventricular-right atrial communication: Gerbode-type defect.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Section of Cardiology, Palo Alto Veterans Affairs Medical Center, 3801 Miranda Ave, 111-C, Palo Alto, CA 94304, USA.
authors.forename: Scott M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Wasserman
authors.forename: James I
authors.initials: JI
authors.lastname: Fann
authors.forename: J Edwin
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Atwood
authors.forename: Thomas A
authors.initials: TA
authors.lastname: Burdon
authors.forename: Bahaa M
authors.initials: BM
authors.lastname: Fadel
mesh_terms: 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
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents