title: Acquired left ventricular-right atrium shunts.
abstract: Left ventricular to right atrial (LV-RA) shunt is an unusual type of ventricular septal defect (VSD). This article concentrates on acquired LV-RA shunts, which may be due to complications of cardiac operation, endocarditis, trauma or myocardial infarction. A previous cardiac operation is its most common cause. The diagnosis of LV-RA communication is not easy, and it should be remembered in patients who do not recover normally. Diagnosis can be confirmed with ultrasound or magnetic resonance image (MRI). Surgical correction is usually the treatment of choice, but closing the communication percutaneously should be considered as an option.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiology, Helsinki University Central Hospital, Helsinki, Finland. juha.sinisalo@hus.fi
authors.forename: Juha P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Sinisalo
authors.forename: Narayanswami
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Sreeram
authors.forename: Eero
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Jokinen
authors.forename: Shakeel A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Qureshi
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D021721:Balloon Occlusion; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004696:Endocarditis / Q000150:complications; D005260:Female; D006325:Heart Atria; D006335:Heart Injuries / Q000150:complications; D006345:Heart Septal Defects, Ventricular / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D006349:Heart Valve Diseases / Q000601:surgery; D006352:Heart Ventricles; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008943:Mitral Valve / Q000601:surgery; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000150:complications / Q000401:mortality; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000209:etiology; D012086:Reoperation; D055989:Septal Occluder Device; D055815:Young Adult