Diagnosis of congenital double-chambered left ventricle by Doppler echocardiography

Abstract

Objective To review the imaging characteristics and evaluate the diagnostic value of echocardiography for congenital double-chambered left ventricle(DCLV) in children, and improve the diagnostic accuracy of initial echocardiography. Methods Doppler echocardiography was performed and these images were compared retrospectively with operative and computed tomography angiography findings in 8 children with DCLV. Results DCLV was characterized by the presence of a main left ventricular chamber and an auxiliary chamber seperated by abnormally hypertrophic muscle and/or fiber bundles. Six cases were diagnosed with type A, and 2 cases with type B by Li Jun′s classification. The associated malformations included ventricular septal defect (3 cases), mitral regurgitation (2 cases), mitral valve stenosis (1 case). Six of 8 cases(75.0%) were diagnosed correctly using Doppler echocardiography, in the remaining 2 cases (25.0%), 1 case was missed, 1 case misdiagnosed as left ventricular diverticulum. Conclusions DCLV could be correctedly diagnosed by Doppler echocardiography. This malformation should be differentiated from left ventricular diverticulum, left ventricular aneurysm, left ventricular non-compaction, and ventricular septal defect. Key words: Echocardiography, Doppler; Double-chambered left ventricle