Transesophageal Echocardiographic Diagnosis of Aortopulmonary Fistula

Abstract

Our case illustrates the value of transesophageal echocardiography in the assessment of patients suspected or diagnosed to have prosthetic aortic valve endocarditis. In addition to making a correct diagnosis of the exact site and nature of the aortopulmonary fistula, the technique also correctly demonstrated the location and extent of all the abscess cavities. The two perforations in the anterior mitral leaflet as well as the disruption of the aortic prosthesis with paraprosthetic leak were also correctly characterized.