1. [A double fistulous communication between the aortic root and both left cardiac chambers. Its diagnosis by multiplanar transesophageal echocardiography].
- Author
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Ribas Garau M, Pons Lladó GJ, Forteza Albertí JF, Berna Martínez A, Merino Otermín A, Bonnín Gubianas JO, and Barril Baixeras R
- Subjects
- Aged, Aortic Diseases etiology, Aortic Diseases surgery, Endocarditis, Bacterial complications, Female, Fistula etiology, Fistula surgery, Heart Atria diagnostic imaging, Heart Atria surgery, Heart Diseases etiology, Heart Diseases surgery, Heart Ventricles diagnostic imaging, Heart Ventricles surgery, Humans, Aortic Diseases diagnostic imaging, Echocardiography, Transesophageal methods, Fistula diagnostic imaging, Heart Diseases diagnostic imaging
- Abstract
The case of a patient with mitral and aortic mechanical valve prostheses is presented who developed early postoperative infective endocarditis and, subsequently, a fistulous communication between the posterior aortic sinus and both the left atrium and the left ventricle. A diastolic murmur of apparent aortic prosthesis regurgitation was heard, although an abnormal aortic valve function could not be demonstrated in the transthoracic echocardiographic study. Instead, the presence of a systolic high velocity flow by continuous wave Doppler suggested prosthetic mitral leakage. The clinical presentation of progressive congestive heart failure and pulmonary hypertension by Doppler prompted a further study by means of transesophageal echocardiography with multiplanar probe showing the above mentioned double fistulous communication. The diagnosis was later confirmed by angiography and also at surgery.
- Published
- 1999
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