Real-time 3-dimensional echocardiography for follow-up of Waterston shunt

J Am Soc Echocardiogr. 2008 Apr;21(4):408.e3. doi: 10.1016/j.echo.2007.08.032. Epub 2007 Oct 4.

Abstract

A 37-year-old man presented with Eisenmenger's reaction. He had progressive cyanosis and signs of right-sided heart failure. In early childhood he was palliated with a Waterston shunt for cyanotic congenital heart disease. Two-dimensional echocardiography provided only a rudimentary view of his heart's anatomy and hemodynamics. Real-time three-dimensional echocardiography (RT3DE) was superior in visualizing both the size and the shape of the large shunt. RT3DE easily identifies and quantifies a key pathogenic factor for pulmonary hypertension with irreversible vascular damage in such patients. If applied early, RT3DE may prove to be a valuable follow-up tool.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Arteriovenous Shunt, Surgical / adverse effects*
  • Computer Systems
  • Cyanosis / diagnosis
  • Cyanosis / etiology*
  • Echocardiography, Three-Dimensional / methods*
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Heart Failure / diagnostic imaging*
  • Heart Failure / etiology*
  • Heart Septal Defects, Ventricular / complications
  • Heart Septal Defects, Ventricular / diagnostic imaging
  • Heart Septal Defects, Ventricular / surgery*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Prognosis
  • Pulmonary Atresia / complications
  • Pulmonary Atresia / diagnostic imaging
  • Pulmonary Atresia / surgery*
  • Treatment Outcome