Repair Of Aortico-left Ventricular Tunnel Research Articles

Surgical repair of aortico-left ventricular tunnel: report of two cases

Two girls aged 1 and 15 years with heart murmurs were diagnosed with aortico-left ventricular tunnel. In the 1-year-old, the tunnel had an intracardiac aneurysm within the right ventricular outflow tract; both openings were closed The 15-year-old had no aneurysmal dilatation, but she had mild aortic regurgitation; the aortic opening of the tunnel was closed with a patch. Both girls had uneventful postoperative courses with excellent early results.

Simple Repair of Aortico-Left Ventricular Tunnel in a Newborn with Early Prenatal Diagnosis

We report a case with very early antenatal diagnosis of aortico-left ventricular tunnel (ALVT) at 22 weeks of pregnancy. Early recognition of ALVT by antenatal ultrasound allows prompt neonatal management and avoidance of harmful aortic valve regurgitation. The present case is unique because of the conjunction of very early antenatal diagnosis, prompt postnatal management, early surgical repair on the sixth day of life, direct closure from the aorta of the aortic orifice only, and optimal postoperative course with excellent mid-term result.

Surgical repair of aortico-left ventricular tunnel arising from the left aortic sinus

Aortico-left ventricular tunnel is a rare congenital cardiac defect, which bypasses the aortic valve via the paravalvar connection from the left ventricle to the aorta. In most of the cases, the tunnel arises from the right aortic sinus. We herein report a case of aortico-left ventricular tunnel, of which the aortic orifice was arising from the left aortic sinus, requiring special attention for avoiding left coronary artery injury at the time of surgical repair.

Repair of aortico-left ventricular tunnel associated with subpulmonary obstruction

Aortico-left ventricular tunnel is a rare congenital cardiac defect. Because the tunnel traverses the upper portion of the interventricular septum, the potential exists for an aneurysmal tunnel to obstruct the outflow of the right ventricle. We report our clinical experience with such a patient, and emphasize the importance of a two-patch technique to avoid its occurrence.

Aortico—Left Ventricular Tunnel: Late Follow-up

Since 1970, 6 patients have undergone repair of aortico-left ventricular tunnel. Four (67%) had repair in childhood. The technique of closure was by direct suture (5 patients) or patch closure (1 patient). Associated anomalies were seen in 5 patients (83%); absent right coronary ostium (1), commissural fusion (stenosis) (2), valvular regurgitation (3), leaflet defects (2), and healed endocarditis (1). All patients survived operation. At early postoperative review, 67% had mild aortic regurgitation regardless of the technique of surgical repair. Late follow-up revealed that 3 patients (50%) underwent aortic valve replacement (AVR) for progressive aortic regurgitation at a mean of 10 years following initial operation. A review of the literature and our results lead us to conclude that progressive aortic regurgitation is common; it is due to associated valve abnormalities and changes in the valve mechanism secondary to the aortico-left ventricular tunnel. Long-term clinical follow-up is necessary, since 50% of patients will require AVR eventually. Early operation is indicated not only to prevent heart failure but also to prevent progression of damage to the aortic valve.

Successful repair of aortico-left ventricular tunnel associated with severe aortic stenosis in a newborn

A one-day-old infant presented with severe congestive heart failure and a continuous precordial murmur. Noninvasive studies revealed an aortico-left ventricular tunnel and severe valvar aortic stenosis. Angiocardiography confirmed the diagnosis. Patch closure of the tunnel and aortic valvotomy were accomplished successfully at 24 h of age.