[Diverticulum of the right ventricle]

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Congenital Heart Disease
• Cardiac Malformations

Background:

• Congenital heart defects can present with complex anatomical variations.
• Right ventricular abnormalities are less common than left-sided defects.
• Cyanosis from birth indicates significant cardiopulmonary compromise.

Observation:

• A 38-year-old woman presented with cyanosis since birth, undergoing cardiac catheterization.
• Cardiac imaging revealed right ventricular cavity hypoplasia and an atrial septal defect.
• A rare diverticulum originating from the free right ventricular wall was identified.

Findings:

• Ventricular diverticuli are rare congenital malformations, particularly in the right ventricle.
• These diverticula are frequently associated with other co-existing cardiac defects.
• The identified right ventricular diverticulum was a significant, albeit rare, finding.

Implications:

• Right ventricular diverticula are often asymptomatic and discovered incidentally.
• Diagnosis is typically made through advanced cardiac imaging or procedures.
• Surgical intervention for right ventricular diverticula is generally not required, suggesting a conservative management approach.