Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 23, 2026

Echocardiographic Assessment of Cardiac Anatomy and Function in Adult Rats
08:09

Echocardiographic Assessment of Cardiac Anatomy and Function in Adult Rats

Published on: December 13, 2019

Echocardiographic assessment of obstructive lesions in atrioventricular septal defects

R Sittiwangkul1, R Y Ma, B W McCrindle

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, Hospital for Sick Children, University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

Journal of the American College of Cardiology
|July 14, 2001
PubMed

Insights

Transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) accurately identifies risk factors in atrioventricular septal defect (AVSD) patients. While some lesions like double-orifice left atrioventricular valve were missed, TTE provides crucial preoperative information.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Medical Imaging
  • Pediatric Cardiology

Background:

  • Atrioventricular septal defect (AVSD) is a common congenital heart condition.
  • Echocardiography is frequently the sole basis for treatment decisions in AVSD.
  • Identifying associated left-sided obstructive lesions is critical due to their impact on mortality and morbidity.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) in identifying risk factors associated with atrioventricular septal defects (AVSD).

Main Methods:

  • A retrospective analysis of 549 patients with AVSD who underwent surgical repair between 1983 and 1998.
  • Correlation of TTE findings with surgical, angiocardiographic, autopsy, or postoperative TTE data.
  • Measurement of papillary muscles and left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT) in affected patients and comparison with control groups.

Main Results:

  • Sixty-three lesions were missed, with a decreasing trend over time; double-orifice left atrioventricular valve (DOLAVV) and nonobstructive LVOT chordae were most frequently missed.
  • Reoperation was required for missed lesions in 2.9% of patients (2/68), and 3.6% (2/55) died due to missed lesions.
  • Abnormal papillary muscle angles were associated with LVOT abnormalities or DOLAVV, and high anterolateral papillary muscle insertion predicted adverse outcomes.

Conclusions:

  • Transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) is an accurate tool for preoperative assessment of atrioventricular septal defects (AVSD).
  • Despite high accuracy, vigilance for specific missed lesions like DOLAVV is necessary.
  • TTE findings, such as papillary muscle abnormalities, can predict risks like death or residual obstruction.
Abstract

More Related Videos

Echocardiographic Evaluation of Atrial Communications before Transcatheter Closure07:41

Echocardiographic Evaluation of Atrial Communications before Transcatheter Closure

Published on: February 8, 2022

Transthoracic Echocardiography to Assess Post-Resuscitation Left Ventricular Dysfunction After Acute Myocardial Infarction and Cardiac Arrest in Pigs08:19

Transthoracic Echocardiography to Assess Post-Resuscitation Left Ventricular Dysfunction After Acute Myocardial Infarction and Cardiac Arrest in Pigs

Published on: July 12, 2022

Related Concept Videos

Assessment of the Cardiovascular System IV: Auscultation01:25

Assessment of the Cardiovascular System IV: Auscultation

Cardiac auscultation is a clinical skill used to assess heart function and detect abnormalities. It involves listening to heart sounds at specific anatomical locations through a stethoscope.
Normal Heart Sounds
S1 (First Heart Sound)-
S1 is made by the closure of the mitral and tricuspid valves (atrioventricular valves), marking the beginning of systole.
S2 (Second Heart Sound)-
S2 is made by the closure of the aortic and pulmonic valves (semilunar valves), marking the end of the systole.
Imaging Studies for Cardiovascular System I:Echocardiography01:17

Imaging Studies for Cardiovascular System I:Echocardiography

Cardiac imaging studies encompass a wide range of noninvasive and minimally invasive techniques designed to visualize the heart's structure and function in detail. One such technique is echocardiography, which uses high-frequency ultrasound waves to produce detailed images of the heart, known as echocardiograms.
Indications: Echocardiography is utilized to diagnose heart failure, valve disorders, and myocardial infarction. It also assesses cardiac structures' size, shape, and motion, evaluates...
Imaging Studies for Cardiovascular System II:Types of Echocardiography01:20

Imaging Studies for Cardiovascular System II:Types of Echocardiography

Echocardiography plays a role in assessing cardiac health and detecting heart conditions, with various types providing critical insights for diagnosis and treatment.
Types of Echocardiography
Transthoracic Echocardiography (TTE)
TTE is the most common type of echocardiogram which involves placing a transducer on the patient's chest, emitting sound waves to create heart images. TTE is invaluable for evaluating the heart's size, structure, and motion, making it particularly useful for diagnosing...
Mitral Stenosis II: Clinical features and Diagnostic Tests01:23

Mitral Stenosis II: Clinical features and Diagnostic Tests

Mitral stenosis is a heart condition in which the mitral valve, which allows blood to flow from the left atrium to the left ventricle, becomes narrowed or stenotic. This narrowing hinders blood flow and leads to clinical symptoms requiring specific medical evaluations and management strategies. The following overview outlines the clinical symptoms, assessments, diagnostic findings, prevention methods, and treatments for mitral stenosis.Clinical ManifestationsDyspnea (shortness of breath): This...
Aortic Regurgitation I: Introduction01:15

Aortic Regurgitation I: Introduction

IntroductionAortic regurgitation is characterized by the backward flow of blood from the aorta into the left ventricle during diastole and arises from the improper closure of the aortic valve. This condition results in left ventricular volume overload and can stem from both acute and chronic etiologies, each contributing uniquely to the disease's progression and symptomatology.Acute and Chronic CausesAcute aortic regurgitation often results from events that suddenly impair the integrity of the...
Aortic Regurgitation II: Clinical Features and Diagnostic Tests01:22

Aortic Regurgitation II: Clinical Features and Diagnostic Tests

Aortic valve regurgitation (AR) occurs when the aortic valve fails to close properly, allowing blood to flow backward from the aorta into the left ventricle. This backflow can result in two distinct clinical presentations: acute and chronic AR, each characterized by its own set of symptoms and physical findings.Acute Aortic RegurgitationAcute AR presents with a sudden onset of severe symptoms. Patients typically experience profound dyspnea (shortness of breath), chest pain, and signs of left...