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Echocardiographic diagnosis of inferior sinus venosus defects
- José A. Ettedgui, Ralph D. Siewers, James R. Zuberbuhler, Robert H. Anderson
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- Journal:
- Cardiology in the Young / Volume 2 / Issue 4 / October 1992
- Published online by Cambridge University Press:
- 19 August 2008, pp. 338-341
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Sinus venosus defects are relatively uncommon forms of interatrial communication in which one of the caval veins has a biatrial connection, and partial anomalous pulmonary venous connections are the rule. The variety related to the inferior caval vein is much the rarer of the two forms, and here the defect is posterior and inferiorly placed. To determine whether an inferior sinus venosus defect could be identified preoperatively, we reviewed retrospectively the available echocardiograms and cineangiograms of the five patients with an inferior sinus venosus defect who underwent surgical repair between January 1983 and December 1991. A cross-sectional echocardiogram had been performed preoperatively in four of these patients, but the correct diagnosis had been made in only one case. Retrospective study, however, showed that the extent of the true atrial septum and the nature of the junction of the inferior caval vein with the atriums could be evaluated from the subcostal position in three of these four patients. Each of the three had an interatrial communication located posteriorly and inferiorly adjacent to the atrial connection of the inferior caval vein, along with abnormally connected right pulmonary veins. The oval fossa was intact and the coronary sinus was normal in all. Cardiac catheterization had been performed in three of the five patients. Anomalous return of right pulmonary veins was noted in each, and the posterior and inferior location of the interatrial communication was evident in two. An interatrial communication adjacent to the atrial connection of the inferior caval vein, along with anomalous connection of the right-sided pulmonary veins, are the diagnostic features of the inferior variety of sinus venosus defects. These features can be demonstrated by cross-sectional echocardiography from the subcostal position.
Cardiac catheterization in children on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation
- José A. Ettedgui, F. Jay Fricker, Sang C. Park, Donald R. Fischer, Ralph D. Siewers, Pedro J. del Nido
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- Journal:
- Cardiology in the Young / Volume 6 / Issue 1 / January 1996
- Published online by Cambridge University Press:
- 19 August 2008, pp. 59-61
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There are limited reports in the literature that address the unique issues related to cardiac catheterization on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. Since 1990, cardiac catheterization has been performed on nine patients on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. The median age was 10 months (range four days to 18 years) and the median weight was 4 kg (range 2.3–73.8 kg). The indications for catheterization were to relieve pulmonary edema in five patients with severe left ventricular dysfunction, and in one instance each, evaluation of probable anomalous left coronary artery, tetralogy of Fallot associated with a diaphragmatic hernia, possible pulmonary venous abnormalities, and postoperative evaluation after an arterial switch. Venous access was obtained through a preexisting femoral venous line in six patients, and through a cutdown of the saphenous or femoral vein in the other three. Interventional catheterization procedures were performed in six of the nine patients in this group. These consisted of blade atrial septostomy followed by balloon septostomy or dilation of the atrial septum in four patients, balloon septostomy alone in one, and placement of a catheter from the left atrium to the circuit used for extracorporeal oxygenation in another. A transseptal puncture was performed in five of them. Adequate decompression of the left atrium with relief of pulmonary edema was achieved in five patients. Six of the nine children in this group died, although there were no complications or deaths related to the catheterization. Children in cardiopulmonary failure on extracorporeal support represent a population at high risk. Diagnostic cardiac catheterization and atrial septostomy to decompress the left heart, when indicated, can be performed safely in such patients.