Ventricular septal rupture imaged with real-time three-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography

Abstract

Ventricular septal rupture is a rare complication of acute myocardial infarction and its diagnosis can be really challenging especially in the case of complex lesions. Echocardiography is the technique of choice for the detection of mechanical complications following myocardial infarction. The introduction of three-dimensional echocardiography offers new imaging possibilities with precise localization and easiest definition of the defect anatomy. This information is of paramount importance in the setting of a percutaneous closure procedure. We describe a case where real-time three-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography correctly defined the complex anatomy of a postmyocardial infarction septal defect with an associated pseudoaneurysm.

Incremental value of live/real time three‐dimensional transesophageal echocardiography in the assessment of ventricular septal rupture following acute myocardial infarction

“…Three‐dimensional transesophageal echocardiography (3DTEE) reconstruction was time consuming and cumbersome, however, and was replaced by live/real time 3DTEE. Currently, only individual case reports are available documenting the use of live/real time 3DTEE over 2DTEE . In one case report, the true location of VSR was identified by live/real time 3DTEE and not 2DTEE.…”

“…Currently, only individual case reports are available documenting the use of live/real time 3DTEE over 2DTEE . In one case report, the true location of VSR was identified by live/real time 3DTEE and not 2DTEE. In two other cases, linear measurements of VSR and the area of VSR obtained by live/real time 3DTEE correlated well with the surgical findings.…”

“…[5][6][7] Recently, the use of 2D imaging has been supplemented by 3DTTE in a few case studies reported in the literature. [11][12][13][14] [17][18][19] In one case report, 19 capitalizes on the inherent deficiencies of 2D imaging. 2D imaging is only able to capture a thin slice of a given cardiac structure at any point in time.…”