Neonatal hemangiomatosis and atrial septal defect: a rare cause of right heart failure in infancy

Neonatal hemangiomatosis is a well-recognized cause of left ventricular failure. We describe an infant with neonatal hemangiomatosis and an ostium secundum atrial septal defect who developed severe right heart failure. This was due to the combination of increased flow through the right heart as a result of the atrial septal defect, and the background high cardiac output from the massive arteriovenous shunting and multiple hemangiomas. In addition, the multiple hepatic hemangiomas may exert a vasoactive influence on the pulmonary vasculature.