Aortico-left ventricular tunnel in a neonate

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Congenital Heart Disease
• Pediatric Cardiac Surgery

Background:

• Aortico-left ventricular tunnel is a rare congenital heart anomaly.
• It presents as a communication between the aorta and left ventricle.
• This condition frequently leads to severe aortic regurgitation.

Observation:

• A case of aortico-left ventricular tunnel in a neonate is presented.
• The anomaly was diagnosed on the first day of life.
• Clinical presentation, noninvasive diagnostic methods, and surgical treatment were described.

Findings:

• The tunnel typically originates superior to the right sinus of Valsalva.
• It enters the left ventricle inferior to the right aortic valve cusp.
• The communication traverses the infundibular or perimembranous ventricular septum.

Implications:

• Early recognition and management of aortico-left ventricular tunnel are vital in neonates.
• Surgical repair is essential to correct the aortic regurgitation.
• This case highlights the importance of timely diagnosis in congenital heart disease.