title: Surgical correction of aortico-left ventricular tunnel.
abstract: Aortico-left ventricular tunnel is a rare, paravalvular communication of unclear etiology between the ascending aorta and the left ventricle. The resultant regurgitant diastolic blood flow leads to varying degrees of volume overload and congestive heart failure. Diagnosis is typically made postnatally with echocardiography. Surgical correction is the treatment of choice consisting of either patch closure or primary repair of the aortic orifice. Prognosis is good, although a significant percentage of patients will eventually require valve replacement because of progressive aortic valvular insufficiency.
authors.affiliation: Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
authors.forename: Richard W
authors.initials: RW
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Thomas L
authors.initials: TL
authors.lastname: Spray
mesh_terms: D001011:Aorta / Q000002:abnormalities; D001022:Aortic Valve Insufficiency / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery; D006348:Cardiac Surgical Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006330:Heart Defects, Congenital / Q000145:classification / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D019918:Heart Valve Prosthesis Implantation; D006352:Heart Ventricles / Q000002:abnormalities; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D012086:Reoperation