Congenital Aorto-Cardiac Connections (CACC) Revisited: Introduction of a Novel Anatomic-therapeutic Classification

Aorto-Left Ventricular Tunnel - Prenatal Diagnosis and Outcome

PURPOSE

 Aorto-left ventricular tunnel (ALVT) is an extremely rare, albeit prenatally detectable, extracardiac channel that connects the ascending aorta to the cavity of the left ventricle.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

 All ALVTs diagnosed prenatally (2006-2020) in five tertiary referral centers were retrospectively assessed for prenatal ultrasound findings, intrauterine course, postnatal outcome, and surgical treatment. We focused on the size of the tunnel and alterations of perfusion of the left ventricular outflow tract and aortic arch.

RESULTS

 11 fetuses were diagnosed with ALVT at a mean gestational age of 24.8 weeks. All cases were associated with severe dilatation of the left ventricle and a to-and-fro flow in the left outflow tract. Signs of congestive heart failure were present in five fetuses, four of which were terminated and one of which died in the neonatal period. One fetus died in utero at 34 weeks without prior signs of cardiac failure. Of the five survivors, two underwent the Ross procedure. In both cases the prenatal left ventricular outflow was exclusively via a large tunnel. The remaining three neonates underwent patch closure of the tunnel. In these cases, the prenatal outflow of the left ventricle was via the aortic valve and simultaneously over the tunnel.

CONCLUSION

 Prenatal diagnosis of ALVT should be considered in the presence of left ventricular hypertrophy, dilatation of the aortic root, and to-and-fro flow in the aortic outflow tract. Signs of heart failure are associated with an unfavorable outcome. Large tunnels, particularly in combination with the absence of flow over the aortic valve, may be an unfavorable predictor of surgical repair.

Coronary artery fistulas as a rare cause of heart failure and ventricular arrhythmia, associated with multiple large vessel fistulas

Coronary artery fistulas are abnormal connections between the coronary arteries with a heart chamber or any of the major blood vessels. Fistulous connections between systemic arteries and pulmonary vessels are even less frequent. We present a case of a 71-year-old man with symptoms of dyspnea, exercise intolerance, and ventricular arrhythmia who attended the emergency department. Coronary angiography revealed bilateral coronary fistulas drained into the pulmonary circulation. Computed tomography angiography revealed the presence of fistulas arising from the descending aorta, right internal mammary artery, and subclavian arteries, all these drained into the pulmonary circulation. Due to the rarity of the disease, there are no international guidelines for the management of coronary fistulas and the treatment is controversial. Coronary artery fistula is a rare pathology that should be included in the differential diagnosis of heart failure and ventricular arrhythmia.

Congenital Aortic-Left Atrial Tunnel with Coarctation and Anomalous Left Coronary Artery from the Pulmonary Artery: A First-of-its-kind Case Report

Aortic-left atrial (Ao-LA) tunnel is an extremely rare vascular anomaly that involves an abnormal channel originating from the sinuses of the Valsalva and terminating in the left atrium. We present an unusual case of prenatally diagnosed Ao-LA tunnel with postnatal diagnosis of coarctation of the aorta and anomalous origin of the left coronary artery from the pulmonary artery (ALCAPA).