Two cases of six-chambered hearts

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Congenital Heart Disease
• Medical Imaging

Background:

• Double-chambered right ventricle (DCRV) and double-chambered left ventricle (DCLV) are individually rare congenital cardiac anomalies.
• While DCRV has established management guidelines, information on combined DCRV and DCLV, including prognosis and inheritance, is scarce.
• Existing literature lacks detailed reports on the combined presentation of these conditions.

Observation:

• Presents two unique cases of combined double-chambered right and left ventricles in female patients of different ages (adult and infant).
• Utilizes computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to illustrate the morphological similarities and differing patient demographics.
• Highlights the rarity of this combined condition, with only three similar cases previously reported in medical literature.

Findings:

• Demonstrates the diagnostic utility of advanced imaging techniques like CT and MRI in characterizing complex congenital heart defects.
• Confirms the extreme rarity of the combined DCRV and DCLV, with this report adding significantly to the existing case series.
• Underscores the need for further investigation into the specific clinical presentation and outcomes associated with this dual ventricular anomaly.

Implications:

• Suggests a need for enhanced awareness among clinicians regarding the combined DCRV and DCLV due to its rarity and potential diagnostic challenges.
• Emphasizes the importance of advanced cardiac imaging in the accurate diagnosis and characterization of complex congenital heart malformations.
• Calls for future research to establish clear management protocols and understand the long-term prognosis and potential genetic factors of combined DCRV and DCLV.