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Updated: Jul 19, 2026

Echocardiographic Evaluation of Atrial Communications before Transcatheter Closure
Published on: February 8, 2022
A quadricuspid aortic valve with atrial septal defect
Rakesh Kumar Vohra1, Harshinder Singh, Benjamin L Siu
1Department of Internal Medicine, Section of Cardiology, WV University Hospitals, Morgantown, West Virginia 26506-9157, USA. rvohra@hsc.wvu.edu
Quadricuspid aortic valve (QAV), a rare congenital heart defect, is increasingly diagnosed via echocardiography. This case highlights a QAV associated with a secundum atrial septal defect, emphasizing potential secondary cardiac anomalies.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Congenital Heart Disease
- Echocardiography
Background:
- Quadricuspid aortic valve (QAV) is a rare congenital heart anomaly.
- Historically identified incidentally during surgery or postmortem examinations.
- Modern echocardiography techniques facilitate earlier detection.
Observation:
- This report details a patient diagnosed with a quadricuspid aortic valve.
- The patient also presented with a secundum atrial septal defect.
- This association highlights potential co-occurring cardiac anomalies.
Findings:
- The study describes a case of quadricuspid aortic valve (QAV).
- A secundum atrial septal defect was identified in conjunction with the QAV.
- This finding underscores the importance of comprehensive cardiac evaluation in QAV patients.
Implications:
- Increased echocardiographic detection of QAV allows for better understanding of its prevalence.
- Associated secondary cardiac anomalies, such as atrial septal defects, require careful assessment.
- Further research into QAV and its associated defects can improve patient management and outcomes.
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