Transesophageal echocardiography is superior to transthoracic echocardiography in the diagnosis of sinus venosus atrial septal defect

The purpose of this study was to compare transthoracic and transesophageal echocardiography in the diagnosis of various types of atrial septal defects. Forty-one adult patients with the clinical diagnosis of atrial septal defect were studied by transthoracic and transesophageal echocardiography (30 women, 11 men; 18 to 81 years of age). Transthoracic echocardiography demonstrated the atrial septal defect in 33 patients (secundum type in 28, primum type in 3 and sinus venosus type in 2). Transesophageal echocardiography demonstrated the defect in all 41 patients. Thus, in 8 (20%) of 41 patients the atrial septal defect was demonstrated by transesophageal and not by transthoracic echocardiography. Six of the eight had a sinus venosus type atrial septal defect; the other two patients had a secundum atrial septal defect (one of these two had a technically poor transthoracic echocardiogram and the other had a small atrial septal defect). Transthoracic echocardiography, therefore, failed to demonstrate the sinus venosus defect in six (75%) of eight patients. An anomalous venous connection associated with the sinus venosus defect was visualized by transesophageal echocardiography in seven of the eight patients but was not seen on transthoracic echocardiography in any patient. Sinus venosus type atrial septal defects are frequently not visualized in adults by conventional transthoracic echocardiography. Transesophageal echocardiography is recommended when an atrial septal defect is clinically suspected but cannot be visualized by transthoracic echocardiography.     

Detection of ostium secundum atrial septal defects by transoesophageal cross-sectional echocardiography

Transoesophageal cross-sectional echocardiography has special advantages when investigating the interatrial septum which is imaged perpendicularly without echo dropouts from an oesophageal transducer position. The technique was successfully used in 19 out of 20 patients (95%) with an ostium secundum atrial septal defect and in 30 control subjects. In all of the latter the interatrial septum was visualised as a continuous echo structure separating the atria, whereas a distinct discontinuity representing the septal defect was apparent in all patients with atrial septal defect. Echocardiographic measurement of the defect size correlated well with surgical findings in 11 patients who underwent open heart surgery in the course of this study. In a comparative transthoracic examination, adequate recordings were obtained in 18 of the 20 patients and in 26 of the 30 control subjects. Direct subcostal visualisation of the defect was reliable in 10 of 18 patients. Peripheral venous contrast studies were also performed with the transoesophageal as well as the transthoracic technique. Echo contrast remained confined to the right heart in the control subjects. Left sided contrast appearance diagnostic of an interatrial communication was shown in the patients using the transoesophageal technique (100% sensitivity), with an additional right atrial negative contrast apparent in seven patients. The transthoracic approach, on the other hand, showed left sided echo contrast in 14 of 18 patients and an additional negative contrast effect in two of the 14. It is concluded that transoesophageal is superior to transthoracic cross-sectional echocardiography as a highly sensitive method for the detection and evaluation of ostium secundum atrial septal defects.     

Detection of ostium secundum atrial septal defects by transoesophageal cross-sectional echocardiography.

Transoesophageal cross-sectional echocardiography has special advantages when investigating the interatrial septum which is imaged perpendicularly without echo dropouts from an oesophageal transducer position. The technique was successfully used in 19 out of 20 patients (95%) with an ostium secundum atrial septal defect and in 30 control subjects. In all of the latter the interatrial septum was visualised as a continuous echo structure separating the atria, whereas a distinct discontinuity representing the septal defect was apparent in all patients with atrial septal defect. Echocardiographic measurement of the defect size correlated well with surgical findings in 11 patients who underwent open heart surgery in the course of this study. In a comparative transthoracic examination, adequate recordings were obtained in 18 of the 20 patients and in 26 of the 30 control subjects. Direct subcostal visualisation of the defect was reliable in 10 of 18 patients. Peripheral venous contrast studies were also performed with the transoesophageal as well as the transthoracic technique. Echo contrast remained confined to the right heart in the control subjects. Left sided contrast appearance diagnostic of an interatrial communication was shown in the patients using the transoesophageal technique (100% sensitivity), with an additional right atrial negative contrast apparent in seven patients. The transthoracic approach, on the other hand, showed left sided echo contrast in 14 of 18 patients and an additional negative contrast effect in two of the 14. It is concluded that transoesophageal is superior to transthoracic cross-sectional echocardiography as a highly sensitive method for the detection and evaluation of ostium secundum atrial septal defects.     

Is routine preoperative cardiac catheterization necessary before repair of secundum and sinus venosus atrial septal defects?

Between January 1976 and July 1983, 217 patients with atrial septal defect underwent surgical repair at Children's Hospital. Thirty with a primum atrial septal defect and 26 who underwent cardiac catheterization elsewhere before being seen were excluded from analysis. Of the 161 remaining patients, 52 (31%) underwent preoperative cardiac catheterization, 38 because the physical examination was considered atypical for a secundum atrial septal defect and 14 because of a preexisting routine indication. One hundred nine (69%) underwent surgery without catheterization, with the attending cardiologist relying on clinical examination alone in 5, additional technetium radionuclide angiocardiography in 5, M-mode echocardiography in 13 and two-dimensional echocardiography in 43; both M-mode echocardiography and radionuclide angiography were performed in 24 and two-dimensional echocardiography and radionuclide angiography in 19. Since 1976, there has been a trend toward a reduction in the use of catheterization and use of one rather than two noninvasive or semiinvasive techniques for the detection of atrial defects. Of the 52 patients who underwent catheterization, the correct anatomic diagnosis was made before catheterization in 47 (90%). Two patients with a sinus venosus defect and one each with a sinus venosus defect plus partial anomalous pulmonary venous connection, partial anomalous pulmonary venous connection without an atrial septal defect and a sinoseptal defect were missed. Of 109 patients without catheterization, a correct morphologic diagnosis was made before surgery in 92 (84%). Nine patients with a sinus venosus defect, three with sinus venous defect and partial anomolous pulmonary venous connection, four with partial anomalous pulmonary venous return without an atrial septal defect and one with a secundum defect were incorrectly diagnosed.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Incidence of secondary pulmonary hypertension in adults with atrial septal or sinus venosus defects

OBJECTIVE: To examine the incidence of raised pulmonary artery pressure and resistance in adults with isolated atrial septal defect within the oval fossa (so called secundum defect) or sinus venosus defect. DESIGN: A historical, retrospective, unrandomised study. SETTING: A tertiary referral centre. METHODS: Cardiac catheterisation was performed in all patients, with measurement of pulmonary artery pressure and resistance. Pulmonary to systemic flow ratio was calculated using the Fick principle. Pulmonary hypertension was defined as mean pulmonary artery pressure > 30 mm Hg, and increased resistance as an Rp/Rs ratio > 0.3. PATIENTS: All patients with a secundum atrial septal or sinus venosus defect who presented between July 1988 and December 1997 were enrolled in the study. RESULTS: Pulmonary artery pressure and resistance in the patients with sinus venosus defect (n = 31) was higher than in patients with atrial septal defect (n = 138). Pulmonary hypertension was present in 26% of patients with sinus venosus and in 9% of patients with atrial septal defect. The incidence of raised pulmonary vascular resistance was 16% in patients with sinus venosus and 4% in patients with atrial septal defect. The increase in resistance occurred at a younger age in sinus venosus defect than in atrial septal defect. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with sinus venosus defect have higher pulmonary pressures and resistances and develop these complications at younger age than patients with atrial septal defects. Thus they should be managed differently than patients with "simple" atrial septal defects.     

Mitral Stenosis, Sinus Venosus Atrial Septal Defect, and Partial Anomalous Pulmonary Venous Return

We describe a 42-year-old man with rheumatic mitral stenosis, sinus venosus atrial septal defect, and anomalous drainage of the right upper pulmonary vein to the superior vena cava. Transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) failed to identify the atrial septal defect and the partial anomalous pulmonary venous return. Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE), using a multiplane probe, was useful in delineating the abnormalities. To our knowledge, this is the first reported patient with rheumatic mitral stenosis and sinus venosus defect.     

Surgical evaluation of transthoracic tridimensional echocardiography in the anatomic study of atrial septal defect]

The closure of atrial septal defects by interventional catheterisation requires an accurate assessment of their morphology and anatomical relationships. This study evaluated transthoracic three-dimensional echocardiography for the selection of atrial septal defects accessible to an occlusive prosthesis. The transthoracic three-dimensional echocardiographic measurements of 17 patients (4 to 55 years) with ostium secundum atrial septal defects were compared with those of the surgeon in a prospective study. The maximal diameters of the defect, the height of the interatrial septum, the distances to the superior vena cava (postero-superior border) and inferior vena cava (postero-inferior border), to the coronary sinus and the tricuspid valve were measured as a reconstruction of the interatrial septum seen from the right atrium. The aortic border was measured from a three-dimensional view from the left atrium. Thirteen of the 17 investigations (76%) were exploitable. The diameters of the defect varied during the cardiac cycle (p = 0.0002). Ther correlations between the surgical and echocardiographic measurements varied from 0.82 for the maximal diameter to 0.6 for the postero-inferior limits. Three-dimensional echocardiography is capable of detecting all the contra-indications of an occlusive prosthesis: 2 inadequate postero-inferior and 1 inadequate aortic borders, 9 maximal diameters which were too large, 3 insufficiently high atrial septa, 1 double atrial septal defect. The coronary sinus was only visualised in 1 case. Transthoracic three-dimensional echocardiography is a non-invasive technique capable of improving the selection of atrial septal defects for interventional closure. The transoesophageal approach should be reserved for candidates selected by the transthoracic investigation for the detection of small structures (coronary sinus) and when the transthoracic window is poor.     

Inoperable sinus venosus atrial septal defect in a young woman with severe pulmonary hypertension--a case report

Atrioventricular septal defect accounts for approximately 3% of all congenital cardiovascular malformations. We describe a case of a 34-year-old woman with inoperable sinus venosus atrial septal defect with severe pulmonary hypertension and symptoms of the Eisenmenger syndrome. Electrocardiography, chest radiography, transthoracic and transoesophageal echocardiography with and without contrast were performed and provided valuable information about haemodynamic consequences of this malformation.     

Mitral Stenosis, Sinus Venosus Atrial Septal Defect, and Partial Anomalous Pulmonary Venous Return: Diagnosis by Multiplane Transesophageal Echocardiography

We describe a 42-year-old man with rheumatic mitral stenosis, sinus venosus atrial septal defect, and anomalous drainage of the right upper pulmonary vein to the superior vena cava. Transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) failed to identify the atrial septal defect and the partial anomalous pulmonary venous return. Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE), using a multiplane probe, was useful in delineating the abnormalities. To our knowledge, this is the first reported patient with rheumatic mitral stenosis and sinus venosus defect. (ECHOCARDIOGRAPHY, Volume 13, November 1996)     

Real Time Three‐Dimensional Transesophageal Echocardiographic Evaluation of a Sinus Venosus Atrial Septal Defect

We present a case of a 65‐year‐old man who presented with atrial flutter and dilation of right heart was noted on transthoracic echocardiography. Transesophageal echocardiography revealed a large sinus venosus atrial septal defect close to superior vena cava and anomalous connection of right superior pulmonary vein. Additionally, real time three‐dimensional transesophageal echocardiography provided superior spatial details and demonstrated the size, location of the defect and its spatial relationship to the surrounding structures. Patient underwent successful surgical repair. (Echocardiography 2011;28:E82‐E84)     

Transoesophageal echocardiographic evaluation of atrial morphology in children with congenital heart disease.

In a prospective study, atrial morphology was evaluated by both transoesophageal and precordial echocardiography in 86 unoperated children with congenital heart disease (age range = 0.2 to 14.8 years, mean = 3.8 years) to determine what advantages, if any, might be inherent in the transoesophageal approach. The information derived from both ultrasound approaches was correlated and compared to information obtained during subsequent cardiac catheterization (78 patients) and, or, surgical inspection (53 patients). Atrial appendage morphology and hence atrial situs was determined by transoesophageal echocardiography in every case (82 solitus, two right atrial isomerism, two left atrial isomerism). In addition, the transoesophageal approach indicated left juxtaposition in four patients, compared to only one by precordial examination. Probe patency of the foramen ovale was correctly predicted in 21 patients by transoesophageal imaging, but in only 10 by precordial imaging. In two children significant secundum defects, undetected by the precordial route, were identified. Multiple atrial septal defects were correctly defined in four patients by transoesophageal study but in only one by precordial study. Sinus venosus defects were documented in four by the transoesophageal approach, but in only one by the precordial. Primum defects were equally well documented (nine patients) by either technique, but the associated valve leaflet morphology was better documented by transoesophageal study in 5/9. A subtotal cor triatriatum was diagnosed in one child only by transoesophageal investigation. Transoesophageal echocardiography allows a much more detailed evaluation of atrial morphology than precordial imaging even in infants. It provides direct diagnosis of atrial situs, detection of juxtaposed atrial appendages and improved demonstration or definitive exclusion of atrial septal defects.     

Detection of sinus venosus atrial septal defect by two-dimensional echocardiography.

In a 4-year period, 10 patients (mean age, 3.6 years) with a superior type sinus venosus atrial septal defect were investigated by two-dimensional echocardiography. The defects were easily visualized in all patients using a long axis vena cava superior-inferior plane with a subcostal approach, while the atrial septum seemed to be intact in the coronal plane conventionally used for atrial septal defects of the primum or secundum type. Additional colour flow mapping, performed in two patients, demonstrated shunting across the depicted defect. In our experience, the modified plane is of great diagnostic value in cases with a sinus venosus defect.     

超声心动图在成人房间隔缺损治疗决策中的作用

目的　探讨超声心动图在成人房间隔缺损(ASD)治疗决策中的作用 ,选择适合的病例进行经皮导管堵闭治疗。方法　本组资料来源于 2 0 0 2年 8月至 2 0 0 3年 8月广东省心血管病研究所 ,12 8例患者经胸超声心动图 (TTE)诊断为继发孔型ASD ,使用TTE筛选和患者同意的 5 2例进行导管堵闭治疗 ,78例患者进行了外科手术治疗。结果　经超声心动图筛选的病例 ,导管介入治疗能有效地关闭 96 %(5 0 /5 2 )的继发孔型ASD ,外科手术修补房间隔缺损的成功率为 10 0 % ,超声心动图显示的房间隔缺损分型与外科术中分型的差异无显著的统计学意义 (P >0 0 5 )。结论　经胸超声心动图能准确的显示成人ASD解剖变异和确定分型 ,经皮导管介入治疗能成功地堵闭绝大多数经超声心动图筛选的患者     

Subcostal real-time three-dimensional echocardiography of interatrial communications: reconstruction of an oval fossa defect, a superior sinus venosus defect with partially anomalous pulmonary venous drainage, an infero-posterior oval fossa defect, and a coronary sinus defect

Real-time three-dimensional echocardiography can surpass simple cross-sectional echocardiography in providing precise details of cardiac lesions. For the purpose of optimising treatment, we describe our findings with real-time three-dimensional echocardiography when interrogating different types of communications permitting interatrial shunting. A three-dimensional reconstruction of defects within the oval fossa enabled reliable identification of location, size, and integrity of surrounding rims. In the superior sinus venosus defect associated with partially anomalous pulmonary venous drainage, three-dimensional reconstruction helped to provide a better understanding of the relationship between the interatrial communication, the orifice of the superior caval vein, and the connections of the right upper pulmonary vein. In the defect opening infero-posteriorly within the oval fossa, three-dimensional reconstruction helped to avoid the risk of potentially inappropriate closure of the defect by suturing the hyperplastic Eustachian valve to the atrial wall, which could have diverted the inferior caval venous return into the left atrium, or obstructed the caval venous orifice. In the coronary sinus defect, three-dimensional echocardiography provided a 'face to face' view of the entire coronary sinus roof, showing a circular defect communicating with the cavity of the left atrium. Acquisition of the full-volume data sets took less than 2 minutes for the patients having defects within the oval fossa, and no more than 3 minutes for the patients with the sinus venosus and coronary sinus defects. Post-processing for the defects in the oval fossa took from 5 to 8 minutes, and from 12 to 16 minutes for the more complicated defects. CONCLUSION: Cross-sectional two-dimensional echocardiography can establish correct diagnosis in all types of atrial communications; however, real-time three-dimensional reconstruction provides additional value to the surgeon and interventionist for better understanding of spatial intracardiac morphology.     

Residual atrial septal defects following balloon mitral valvuloplasty using different techniques. A transthoracic and transoesophageal echocardiography study demonstrating an advantage of the Inoue balloon.

The incidence and severity of atrial septal defects following balloon mitral valvuloplasty have been assessed using transthoracic and transoesophageal echocardiography in 20 patients 3-36 months following the procedure. In eight patients (group A) the atrial septum was dilated with an 8 mm Olbert balloon and either a double or bifoil balloon used to dilate the mitral valve. In 12 patients (group B) the Inoue balloon, with a slimmer deflated profile, was used following dilatation of the interatrial septum with a 14 French vessel dilator. In group A, using transthoracic echocardiography, one atrial septal defect was imaged and transatrial flow detected by colour flow Doppler in five patients. In seven of the eight patients transoesophageal echocardiography clearly imaged an atrial septal defect and left-to-right shunting was demonstrated by colour flow Doppler. Valsalva contrast studies revealed residual transatrial flow in all eight patients. The mean width of the colour flow jet was 5.8 mm. In group B patients, using transthoracic echocardiography, only one patient had evidence of residual transatrial flow (demonstrated by Valsalva contrast). Using transoesophageal echocardiography Valsalva contrast studies, transatrial flow was seen in 11 of the 12 patients. However, no defects were imaged and colour flow Doppler indicated left-to-right shunting in only two patients. The mean width of the colour flow jet was 1.5 mm. Transoesophageal echocardiography with colour flow Doppler and Valsalva contrast studies therefore provides a sensitive method for the detection of residual atrial septal defects following balloon mitral valvuloplasty. Transatrial flow persists in the majority of these patients.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Stenting for superior caval vein stenosis after surgical repair of sinus venosus atrial septal defect

A young woman had symptoms from stenosis of the superior caval vein 8 years after surgical repair of sinus venosus atrial septal defect with partial anomalous pulmonary venous drainage. She was successfully treated by balloon dilatation and stenting.     

Role of intracardiac echocardiography in atrial septal abnormalities

The purpose of this review is to outline the feasibility of performing a comprehensive atrial septal examination from the internal confine of the right atrium and to evaluate the advantages resulting by intracardiac echocardiography (ICE) evaluation of atrial septal morphology as well as pathophysiology. In this setting, ICE indications have not yet been established because ICE is a relatively new technique that is still evolving. Notwithstanding, during catheter-based secundum atrial septal defect and patent foramen ovale closure, ICE seems useful for diagnosing cardiac abnormalities instantly, guiding and monitoring all stages of the procedures, and assessing proper selection and optimal device placement. Moreover, ICE provides solid anatomical criteria to diagnose fenestrated atrial septal aneurysm, interatrial communications such as ostium primum and sinus venosus defects, partial anomalous pulmonary venous connection, and lipomatous hypertrophy of atrial septum.     

Atypical Abnormal Pulmonary Vein Drainage with Atrial Septal Defect: Surgical Treatment

Sinus venosus atrial septal defect (SV‐ASD) usually coexists with partial anomalous pulmonary vein connection (PAPVC). It is a difficult diagnosis in transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) due to eccentric position of defects. We present a rare case of atypical anatomical variation in PAPVC, which was never described before. Two right pulmonary veins drained into superior vena cava, which overrode SV‐ASD and interatrial septum, a third pulmonary vein into the right atrium. Complete diagnosis could not be set after TTE, nor transesophageal echocardiography, whereas angio‐CT was finally conclusive. This diagnostic approach allowed the surgical planning.     

The value of transesophageal echocardiography in transcatheter closure of atrial septal defects in the oval fossa using the Amplatzer septal occluder

BACKGROUND: From January, 1997, as part of an international multicentric trial, we have been closing small-to-moderate atrial septal defects within the oval fossa using the Amplatzer Septal Occluder (ASO, AGA Medical). METHODS: All patients with defects within the oval fossa deemed potentially suitable for transcatheter closure were investigated by transesophageal echocardiography with the aim of gaining extra information that might alter the decision to use the device to close the defect. Views were obtained in transverse and longitudinal planes, permitting measurements of the diameter of the defect, and its distance from the atrioventricular valves, coronary sinus, and pulmonary veins. Additionally, we sought to identify multiple defects, and to exclude sinus venosus defects. RESULTS: Of 56 patients with left-to-right shunts, 41 (73.2%) were deemed suitable for closure with the Amplatzer Septal Occluder. All underwent the procedure successfully, with no complications. This includes 5 patients with multiple small defects that were sufficiently close to the main defect to be closed with a single device. Only two of these had been detected on the transthoracic study. In the remaining 15 of 56 patients, transcatheter closure was deemed unsuitable. In 9 patients, this was due to the limitation of the size of the device available during the period of study, this representing a relative contraindication. In the remaining 6 (10.7%), transcatheter closure was not performed because multiple defects were too far apart to be closed with a single device in 3 patients, two patients were noted to have a sinus venosus defect, and another was noted to have anomalous connection of the right upper pulmonary vein to the right atrium. Excluding patients contraindicated due to the size of the defect alone, transesophageal echocardiography provided extra information in one-tenth of our patients, which altered the decision regarding management. CONCLUSION: Transesophageal echocardiography is indispensable in the evaluation of patients undergoing transcatheter closure of atrial septal defect.     

Partial anomalous pulmonary venous drainage with atrial septal defect of the sinus venosus type. Diagnostic role of multi-slice spiral computerised tomography--a case report

A case of a 53-year-old male with a long-lasting pulmonary hypertension of an unknown cause is presented. Both transthoracic and transesophageal echocardiography as well as cardiac catheterisation failed to document any cardiac defect. Finally, a multi-slice spiral computerised tomography revealed the presence of an anomalous pulmonary vein drainage to the superior vena cava with concomitant inter-atrial septal defect of a sinus venosus type. The patient was selected for surgery.