[Aortic insufficiency associated with interventricular communication. Natural history, angiographic diagnosis and...

Clinical, electrocardiographic, radiological, hemodynamic and angiocardiographic data of 12 patients with ventricular septal defect (VSD) associated to aortic regurgitation (AR) have been analyzed. The trend of evolution of the AR has been evaluated and angiographic criteria to make a correct diagnosis have been pointed out. Nine patients have been followed up for a mean of 3.8 years. The severity of AR seemed to increase only in three cases: this demonstrates that AR associated to VSD is not always a progressive disease. The usefulness of various radiological views in evidencing the anatomy of both VSD and aortic valve has been discussed and findings of left ventriculogram and aortogram are detailedly described. The site of VSD and the type of lesion of the aortic valve may be crucial for indicating surgical intervention and its type. Indication for surgery is briefly discussed. Surgical technics are shortly summarized.