Two-dimensional Echocardiographic Recognition and Surgical Management of Aortopulmonary Septal Defect in the Premature Infant

Authors:
  • DPD. Pieroni
    D. Pieroni
  • RGR. Gingell
    R. Gingell
  • JRJ.-M. Roland
    J.-M. Roland
  • CCC. Chung
    C. Chung
  • JBJ. Broda
    J. Broda
  • SSS. Subramanian
    S. Subramanian
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Abstract
An aorticopulmonary septal defect (APSD) results from failure of proper conotruncal separation. The hemodynamic consequences of this lesion closely resemble that of other large left-to-right shunt defects, especially a patent ductus arteriosus (PDA). Failure to differentiate these 2 abnormalities has not infrequently led to an inappropriate surgical approach in pursuit of the far more common PDA. This report describes the two-dimensional echocardiographic (2-DE) recognition of an APSD in 2 premature infants. Survival of these delicate neonates indicates that successful surgery can be performed even in small infants. A thorough 2-DE examination for an APSD is recommended for any infant before proceeding to surgery for a suspected PDA, especially when cardiac catheterization has not been performed.