Left Juxtaposition Of Atrial Appendages Research Articles

Dextroversion and D-Transposition of the Great Arteries, Left-Handed Ventricular Topology Related to Multiple Ventricular Septal Defects, and Left Juxtaposition of Atrial Appendage in a 1-Year-Old Child

We present a 1-year-old female infant case in natural history, affected by D-transposition of the great arteries with multiple ventricular septal defects in dextroversion, left juxtaposition of atrial appendages, and persistent left superior caval vein draining into coronary sinus. This is an uncommon case, and its particularity is due to clinical and anatomical findings diagnosed late in a setting of a complex cardiac malformation. After the diagnosis, the patient underwent palliative arterial switch operation without complications.

Non-Destructive, High-Resolution 3-Dimensional Visualization of a Cardiac Defect in the Chick Embryo Resembling Complex Heart Defect in Humans Using Micro-Computed Tomography

Nondestructive, high-resolution 3-dimensional (3D) imaging of the embryonic heart remains a challenge in cardiovascular development research. In the past, several imaging techniques (eg, magnetic resonance microscopy, optical coherence tomography) were tested for their suitability to visualize the 3D morphology of embryonic hearts. Most of these imaging tools have their drawbacks with respect to resolution and depth penetration. Here we present, to the best of our knowledge, the first high-resolution 3D images of normal and malformed embryonic chick hearts at the 10 μm level generated by microcomputed tomography (micro-CT) examination of critical point-dried heart specimens. Cardiac anatomy is demonstrated in great details with respect to myocardial fiber arrangement and trabeculations as well as atrioventricular (AV) and semilunar valves. Positions of great vessels with associated ventricular septal defects are visualized in high quality in malformed hearts. Figure 1A shows the normal 4-chambered heart of a day 9 chick embryo with correct positioning of the heart chambers and great vessels. Figure 1B depicts an image of a malformed embryonic chick heart in which both great arteries are significantly shifted toward the right side with extreme dextroposition of the aorta, and both great arteries arise from the right ventricle (double outlet right ventricle [DORV]). Note also that both atrial appendages are located to the left of the great arteries (left juxtaposition of atrial appendages [LJAA]). The cardiac defect that we present here in the chick embryo resembles a rare complex heart defect known in humans, as depicted in a classic drawing by Frank Netter, MD, in the Netter Collection of Medical Illustrations – Heart (Figure 1C, reproduced with permission from netterimages.com). Figure 1. Photographs of day 9 embryonic chick hearts (A and B, respectively) and a drawing of a malformed human …

Catheter closure of an atrial septal defect in anatomically corrected malposition with left juxtaposition of atrial appendages

Anatomically corrected malposition is characterized by concordant atrioventricular and ventriculoarterial connection and parallel arrangement of arterial trunks. Left juxtaposition of the atrial appendages, a frequent association of this anomaly, alters the atrial septal plane. In this report, I describe the insertion of a device to close an atrial septal defect, as guided by transoesophageal echocardiography.

Total cavopulmonary direct anastomosis: A logical approach in selected patients

A 2.5-year-old boy with a diagnosis of situs solitus, tricuspid atresia, anatomically corrected malposition of the great arteries {S,D,L}, left juxtaposition of atrial appendages, and pulmonary stenosis underwent successful total cavopulmonary connection by means of a superior vena cavato-pulmonary artery end-to-side anastomosis associated with an inferior vena cava-to-pulmonary artery direct anastomosis. Anatomic features and surgical technique are described.