Anomalía de Ebstein «like¼ en doble entrada ventricular. Una rara asociación / Ebstein's "like" anomaly ventricular double inlet. A rare association

Resumen: Introducción y objetivos: La asociación de corazones univentriculares con doble entrada y anomalía de Ebstein «like¼ de la válvula auriculoventricular común es extremadamente rara. Se describen 2 corazones con esta asociación. Métodos: Se utilizó el sistema secuencial segmentario que determina el situs auricular, los tipos y modos de conexión auriculoventricular y ventriculoarterial y las anomalías agregadas. Resultados: Ambos corazones presentaron situs solitus auricular, defecto septal auriculoventricular con foramen primum y doble entrada y doble salida con grandes arterias normalmente relacionadas en un ventrículo único. En el primero las 4 valvas auriculoventriculares estuvieron adosadas a la pared ventricular desde la unión auriculoventricular hasta el ápex con auricularización de la entrada y de la porción trabecular y presentó estenosis infundibular y valvular. En el segundo la porción proximal de la válvula auriculoventricular estuvo adosada a la pared ventricular con auricularización pequeña; en su porción distal mostró displasia con nodulaciones fibromixoides y cuerdas tendinosas pequeñas y gruesas y la arteria pulmonar estuvo dilatada. Conclusiones: Ambos corazones forman parte de la conexión auriculoventricular univentricular del sistema secuencial segmentario, cuya precisión diagnóstica muestra su eficacia. Las asociaciones de defectos congénitos en un solo corazón muestran el infinito espectro de las mismas, lo que expande nuestro conocimiento de la cardiología pediátrica.

Abstract: Introduction and objectives: The association of univentricular heart with double inlet and Ebstein's "like" anomaly of the common atrioventricular valve is extremely rare. Methods: Two hearts with this association are described with the segmental sequential system which determine the atrial situs, the types of atrioventricular and ventriculoarterial connections and associated anomalies. Results: Both hearts had atrial situs solitus, and a univentricular heart with common atrioventricular valve, a foramen primum and double outlet ventricle with normal crossed great arteries. In the fiefirst heart the four leaflets of the atrioventricular valve were displaced and fused to the ventricular walls, from the atrioventricular union roward the apex with atrialization of the inlet and trabecular zones and there was stenosis in the infundibulum and in the pulmonary valve. In the second heart the proximal segment of the atrioventricular valve was displaced and fused to the ventricular whith shot atrialization and the distal segment was dysplastic with fibromixoid nodules and tendinous cords short and thick; the pulmonary artery was dilate. Conclusions: Both hearts are grouped in the atrioventricular univentricular connection in the segmental sequential system. The application of this method in the diagnosis of congenital heart disease demonstrates its usefulness. The associations of complex anomalies in these hearts show us the infinite spectrum of presentation of congenital heart disease which expands our knowledge of pediatric cardiology.

[Ebstein's "like" anomaly ventricular double inlet. A rare association]. / Anomalía de Ebstein «like¼ en doble entrada ventricular. Una rara asociación.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: The association of univentricular heart with double inlet and Ebstein's "like" anomaly of the common atrioventricular valve is extremely rare. METHODS: Two hearts with this association are described with the segmental sequential system which determine the atrial situs, the types of atrioventricular and ventriculoarterial connections and associated anomalies. RESULTS: Both hearts had atrial situs solitus, and a univentricular heart with common atrioventricular valve, a foramen primum and double outlet ventricle with normal crossed great arteries. In the fiefirst heart the four leaflets of the atrioventricular valve were displaced and fused to the ventricular walls, from the atrioventricular union roward the apex with atrialization of the inlet and trabecular zones and there was stenosis in the infundibulum and in the pulmonary valve. In the second heart the proximal segment of the atrioventricular valve was displaced and fused to the ventricular whith shot atrialization and the distal segment was dysplastic with fibromixoid nodules and tendinous cords short and thick; the pulmonary artery was dilate. CONCLUSIONS: Both hearts are grouped in the atrioventricular univentricular connection in the segmental sequential system. The application of this method in the diagnosis of congenital heart disease demonstrates its usefulness. The associations of complex anomalies in these hearts show us the infinite spectrum of presentation of congenital heart disease which expands our knowledge of pediatric cardiology.

Síndrome de la cimitarra. Correlación anatomoembriológica / Scimitar syndrome. Correlation anatomo-embryological

Resumen Objetivos Describir morfológicamente un bloque visceral toracoabdominal de un caso de síndrome de la cimitarra. Proponer una hipótesis patogenética que explique el desarrollo de las conexiones venosas pulmonares de este síndrome. Método El espécimen anatómico se describió con el sistema secuencial segmentario. Se determinó el situs, las conexiones entre los segmentos cardíacos y las anomalías agregadas. Se describió la anatomía de ambos pulmones, incluida la conexión venosa pulmonar. Se elaboró una hipótesis patogenética que explica la conexión venosa pulmonar a través de una correlación entre la patología del síndrome y el desarrollo normal de las venas pulmonares. Resultados El situs fue solitus, las conexiones entre los segmentos cardíacos fueron normales, existió hipoplasia y displasia del pulmón derecho con secuestro del lóbulo inferior; las venas pulmonares derechas drenaron a un colector curvo en la porción suprahepática de la vena cava inferior y las venas pulmonares izquierdas lo hicieron a la aurícula izquierda. El secuestro pulmonar recibió irrigación a través de una colateral aortopulmonar. Existió una comunicación interauricular. Conclusiones La hipótesis patogenética propone que las conexiones venosas pulmonares de este síndrome representan la persistencia del horizonte XIV de Streeter (28-30 días de desarrollo), período en el que el seno de las venas pulmonares presenta conexión venosa doble con la aurícula izquierda y con un colector de la conexión primitiva que desemboca en la vitelina derecha de la que se deriva la porción suprahepática de la vena cava inferior.

Abstract Objectives To describe morphologically a toracoabdominal visceral block of a scimitar's syndrome case. We propose a pathogenetic theory wich explains the development of the pulmonary venous connection in this syndrome. Method The anatomic specimen was described with the segmental sequential system. The situs was solitus, the connections between the cardiac segments and the associated anomalies were determined. The anatomy of both lungs, including the venous pulmonary connection, was described. A pathogenetic hypothesis was made, which explains the pulmonary venous connection throw a correlation between the pathology of this syndrome and the normal development of the pulmonary veins. Results The situs was solitus, the connections of the cardiac chambers were normal; there were hypoplasia and dysplasia of the right lung with sequestration of the inferior lobe; the right pulmonary veins were connected with a curved collector which drainaged into the suprahepatic segment of the inferior vena cava; the left pulmonary veins were open into the left atrium. The sequestered inferior lobe of the right lung received irrigation throw a collateral aortopulmonary vessel. There was an atrial septal defect. Conclusions The pathogenetic hypothesis propose that the pulmonary venous connection in this syndrome represent the persistent of the Streeter's horizon XIV (28-30 days of development), period in which the sinus of the pulmonary veins has double connection, with the left atrium and with a primitive collector into the right viteline vein which forms the suprahepatic segment of the inferior vena cava.

[Scimitar syndrome. Correlation anatomo-embryological]. / Síndrome de la cimitarra. Correlación anatomoembriológica.

OBJECTIVES: To describe morphologically a toracoabdominal visceral block of a scimitar's syndrome case. We propose a pathogenetic theory wich explains the development of the pulmonary venous connection in this syndrome. METHOD: The anatomic specimen was described with the segmental sequential system. The situs was solitus, the connections between the cardiac segments and the associated anomalies were determined. The anatomy of both lungs, including the venous pulmonary connection, was described. A pathogenetic hypothesis was made, which explains the pulmonary venous connection throw a correlation between the pathology of this syndrome and the normal development of the pulmonary veins. RESULTS: The situs was solitus, the connections of the cardiac chambers were normal; there were hypoplasia and dysplasia of the right lung with sequestration of the inferior lobe; the right pulmonary veins were connected with a curved collector which drainaged into the suprahepatic segment of the inferior vena cava; the left pulmonary veins were open into the left atrium. The sequestered inferior lobe of the right lung received irrigation throw a collateral aortopulmonary vessel. There was an atrial septal defect. CONCLUSIONS: The pathogenetic hypothesis propose that the pulmonary venous connection in this syndrome represent the persistent of the Streeter's horizon xiv (28-30 days of development), period in which the sinus of the pulmonary veins has double connection, with the left atrium and with a primitive collector into the right viteline vein which forms the suprahepatic segment of the inferior vena cava.

[Tetralogy of Fallot with pulmonary atresia. Morphopathology and surgical anatomy]. / Tetralogía de Fallot con atresia pulmonar. Morfopatología y anatomía quirúrgica.

The morphopathology of tetralogy of Fallot with pulmonary atresia is detailed as a spectrum of variations which is the foundation to highlight the surgical anatomy of this cardiopathy and it is the embryological basis which determines its structure. Thirty five hearts were studied with the methodology of the segmental sequential system. The atrial situs, the connections between the cardiac chambers and between the right ventricle and the arterial pulmonary vasculature were determined. The atrial situs was solitus, the concordant atrioventricular connection was the most frequent (33), the ventriculoarterial connections were concordant (17), double outlet right ventricle (9) and single outlet (9). All hearts had atresia of the pulmonary valve; the pulmonary trunk was hypoplastic (20), atretic proximally (6) and completely absent (9), confluent and hypoplastic pulmonary branches (25), absence of confluence (5), complete absence of pulmonary branches and arterial ducts (5) and presence of aortopulmonary collaterals (10). The hearts show a morphopathologic spectrum of severity which documents the tendency in disappearing the connection between the right ventricle and the intrapulmonary arterial circulation. The determination of the arterial supply to the lungs is highlighted to unifocalize the blood flow toward the lungs. The usefulness of Barbero Marcial's surgical classification is emphasized. The embryologic knowledge is basic in understanding the vascular connections between right ventricle and the derivatives of embryonic sixths aortic arches, the intrapulmonary arterial vessels and the aortopulmonary collaterals."

Tetralogía de Fallot con atresia pulmonar: Morfopatología y anatomía quirúrgica / Tetralogy of Fallot with pulmonary atresia: Morphopathology and surgical anatomy

Se detalla la morfopatología de la tetralogía de Fallot con atresia pulmonar como un espectro de variaciones que sirve de fundamento para destacar la anatomía quirúrgica de esta cardiopatía y se muestra la base embriológica que determina su estructura. Se estudiaron 35 corazones con el sistema secuencial segmentario. Se determinó: situs atrial, conexiones entre los segmentos cardíacos y entre el ventrículo derecho y la vasculatura arterial pulmonar. El situs atrial fue solitus, predominó la conexión atrioventricular concordante (33), las conexiones ventriculoarteriales fueron concordantes (17), doble salida de ventrículo derecho (9) y única vía de salida (9). Todos presentaron atresia valvular pulmonar; el tronco pulmonar fue hipoplásico (20), atrésico proximal (6) y ausente (9), ramas pulmonares confluentes e hipoplásicas (25), ausencia de confluencia (5), ausencia total de ramas y de conductos arteriosos (5) y colaterales aortopulmonares (10). Los corazones mostraron un espectro morfopatológico de severidad que expresa la tendencia a la desaparición de la conexión entre el ventrículo derecho y la circulación arterial intrapulmonar. Se resaltan las formas de la irrigación arterial pulmonar como fundamento para unifocalizar el flujo hacia los pulmones y se hace hincapié en la utilidad de la clasificación anatomoquirúrgica de Barbero Marcial. El conocimiento embriológico es útil para entender las conexiones vasculares del ventrículo derecho con los derivados de los sextos arcos aórticos, los vasos arteriales intrapulmonares y las colaterales aortopulmonares.

The morphopathology of tetralogy of Fallot with pulmonary atresia is detailed as a spectrum of variations which is the foundation to highlight the surgical anatomy of this cardiopathy and it is shown the embryological basis which determines its structure. Thirty five hearts were studied with the methodology of the segmental sequential system. The atrial situs, the connections between the cardiac chambers and between the right ventricle and the arterial pulmonary vasculature were determined. The atrial situs was solitus, the concordant atrioventricular connection was the most frequent (33), the ventriculoarterial connections were concordant (17), double outlet right ventricle (9) and single outlet (9). All hearts had atresia of the pulmonary valve; the pulmonary trunk was hypoplastic (20), atretic proximally (6) and completely absent (9), confluent and hypoplastic pulmonary branches (25), absence of confluence (5), complete absence of pulmonary branches and arterial ducts (5) and presence of aortopulmonary collaterals (10). The hearts show a morphopathologic spectrum of severity which documents the tendency in disappearing the connection between the right ventricle and the intrapulmonary arterial circulation. The determination of the arterial supply to the lungs is highlighted to unifocalize the blood flow toward the lungs. The usefulness of Barbero Marcial's surgical classification is emphasized. The embryologic knowledge is basic in understanding the vascular connections between right ventricle and the derivatives of embryonic sixths aortic arches, the intrapulmonary arterial vessels and the aortopulmonary collaterals.

[Anatomic support in the echocardiographic diagnosis of right atrioventricular connection]. / Soporte anatómico en el diagnóstico ecocardiográfico de la ausencia de conexión atrioventricular derecha.

OBJECTIVE: To show the close relationship between the anatomic features and the echocardiographic image in the absence of right atrioventricular connection. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Echocardiographic study of a patient with right atrioventricular connection and a corresponding anatomic specimen from the Museum of Embryology of the INC "lgnacio Chávez". RESULTS: A close correlation between an anatomic specimen with absence of right atrioventricular connection and an echocardiographic image of a patient with the same cardiopathy was established. CONCLUSION: The correlation between the anatomic features and the echocardiographic image, supports the imagenologic diagnostic precision of this method.

Soporte anatómico en el diagnóstico ecocardiográfico de la ausencia de conexión atrioventricular derecha / Anatomic support in the echocardiographic diagnosis of right atrioventricular connection

OBJECTIVE: To show the close relationship between the anatomic features and the echocardiographic image in the absence of right atrioventricular connection. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Echocardiographic study of a patient with right atrioventricular connection and a corresponding anatomic specimen from the Museum of Embryology of the INC "lgnacio Chávez". RESULTS: A close correlation between an anatomic specimen with absence of right atrioventricular connection and an echocardiographic image of a patient with the same cardiopathy was established. CONCLUSION: The correlation between the anatomic features and the echocardiographic image, supports the imagenologic diagnostic precision of this method.

[Anomalous pulmonary venous connection]. / Conexión anómala de venas pulmonares. Correlación anatomoembriológica.

An anatomical-embryological correlation of anomalous venous pulmonary connection is presented to gain an insight of its pathogenesis. The basic publications on embryonic development of the pulmonary veins were analyzed in its two stages: the primary connection of these veins (collectors) with the embryonic systemic veins from which the definitive veins arise. These channels normally disappear once the pulmonary veins sinus is connected with the roof of the left atrium (secondary definitive connection); when the latter does not exist, any of the primitive channels persist and originates the anatomic sites of the anomalous venous pulmonary connection. The embryonic systemic veins are the right cardinal (superior vena cava and azygos vein), the left cardinal (venous coronary sinus and vertical vein) and the umbilical-vitelline (portal vein and ductus venosus). Other mechanisms are discussed such as ectopic origin of the primitive pulmonary vein in the roof of the right atrium and misplaced left of the atrial septum. The atrial septal defect is conditioned by the hemodynamics of this malformation. The knowledge of the pulmonary venous development is of great value in understanding the structure and the anatomic variants of this cardiovascular malformation in its total and partial forms.

Conexión anómala de venas pulmonares. Correlación anatomoembriológica / Anomalous pulmonary venous connection

An anatomical-embryological correlation of anomalous venous pulmonary connection is presented to gain an insight of its pathogenesis. The basic publications on embryonic development of the pulmonary veins were analyzed in its two stages: the primary connection of these veins (collectors) with the embryonic systemic veins from which the definitive veins arise. These channels normally disappear once the pulmonary veins sinus is connected with the roof of the left atrium (secondary definitive connection); when the latter does not exist, any of the primitive channels persist and originates the anatomic sites of the anomalous venous pulmonary connection. The embryonic systemic veins are the right cardinal (superior vena cava and azygos vein), the left cardinal (venous coronary sinus and vertical vein) and the umbilical-vitelline (portal vein and ductus venosus). Other mechanisms are discussed such as ectopic origin of the primitive pulmonary vein in the roof of the right atrium and misplaced left of the atrial septum. The atrial septal defect is conditioned by the hemodynamics of this malformation. The knowledge of the pulmonary venous development is of great value in understanding the structure and the anatomic variants of this cardiovascular malformation in its total and partial forms.

[Common truncus arteriosus in adults]. / Tronco arterioso común en adultos.

The purpose of this study is to describe the factors that allow for the survival of patients with persistent truncus arteriosus until adult life and cared for at the National Institute of Cardiology "Ignacio Chávez". From May 2003 to June 2007, six adult patients with clinical suspicion of truncus arteriosus were studied. All patients were subjected to clinical history, electrocardiogram of twelve leads, echocardiography, and cardiac catheterism. In these patients, the clinical symptoms began early of life. The ecocardiographic findings demonstrated the presence of truncus arteriosus type I in all cases and the most frequent associated anomalies were: hypoplasia of pulmonary branches, isolated coronary ostium, persistent ductus arteriosus and right aortic arch. Almost all patients had pulmonary hypertension. Based on this work, we conclude that until now we do not known the actual survival time of adult patients with complex congenital heart disease, such as truncus arteriosus. There are factors, such as pulmonary hypertension and hypoplasia of the pulmonary branches that are deleterious for life in some cardiovascular diseases, but in others allow for the survival of patients, as occurred in these patients with truncus arteriosus.

Understanding atrioventricular septal defect: anatomoechocardiographic correlation.

OBJECTIVE: Correlate the anatomic features of atrioventricular septal defect with echocardiographic images. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty specimen hearts were studied by sequential segmental analysis. Echocardiograms were performed on 34 patients. Specimen hearts with findings equivalent to those of echocardiographic images were selected in order to establish an anatomo-echocardiographic correlation. RESULTS: Thirty-three specimen hearts were in situs solitus, 19 showed dextroisomerism, 6 were in situs inversus and 2 levoisomerism. Fifty-eight had a common atrioventricular valve and 2 had two atrioventricular valves. Rastelli types were determined in 21 hearts. Nine were type A, 2 intermediate between A and B, 1 mixed between A and B, 4 type B and 5 type C. Associated anomalies included pulmonary stenosis, pulmonary atresia atrial septal defect, patent ductus arteriosus and anomalous connection of pulmonary veins. Echocardiograms revealed dextroisomerism in 12 patients, situs solitus in 11, levoisomerism in 7 and situs inversus in 4. Thirty-one patients had common atrioventricular valves and three two atrioventricular valves. Rastelli types were established in all cases with common atrioventricular valves; 17 had type A canal defects, 10 type B, 3 intermediate between A and B, 1 mixed between A and B and 3 type C. Associated anomalies included regurgitation of the atrioventricular valve, pulmonary stenosis, anomalous connection of pulmonary veins, pulmonary hypertension and pulmonary atresia. CONCLUSION: Anatomo-echocardiographic correlation demonstrated a high degree of diagnostic precision with echocardiography.

Tronco arterioso común en adultos / Common truncus arteriosus in adults

The purpose of this study is to describe the factors that allow for the survival of patients with persistent truncus arteriosus until adult life and cared for at the National Institute of Cardiology [quot ]Ignacio Chávez[quot ]. From May 2003 to June 2007, six adult patients with clinical suspicion of truncus arteriosus were studied. All patients were subjected to clinical history, electrocardiogram of twelve leads, echocardiography, and cardiac catheterism. In these patients, the clinical symptoms began early of life. The ecocardiographic findings demonstrated the presence of truncus arteriosus type I in all cases and the most frequent associated anomalies were: hypoplasia of pulmonary branches, isolated coronary ostium, persistent ductus arteriosus and right aortic arch. Almost all patients had pulmonary hypertension. Based on this work, we conclude that until now we do not known the actual survival time of adult patients with complex congenital heart disease, such as truncus arteriosus. There are factors, such as pulmonary hypertension and hypoplasia of the pulmonary branches that are deleterious for life in some cardiovascular diseases, but in others allow for the survival of patients, as occurred in these patients with truncus arteriosus.

[Morphometric and morphologic studies in right ventricular hypoplasia]. / Hipoplasia ventricular derecha. Estudios morfométrico y morfológico.

In hypoplastic right ventricle the dysplasia of the tricuspid valve (TV) has repercussions on the development of the right ventricle. This paper documents the results of an anatomopathologic and morphometric studies of the tricuspid valve and the right ventricle in 25 hearts with this cardiopathy, which were morphologically analyzed using the segmentary sequential system. The following measurements were made: the annulus of the tricuspid valve, the thickness of the walls of the right ventricle, the ventricular septum and the distances from the atrioventricular-apex (AV-A) and from the apex-pulmonary valve (A-PV). The values obtained were compared with those of normal hearts of equivalent ages; the morphologic features of the tricuspid valve and the right ventricle were described. The thickness of the anterior and posterior walls of righ ventricle was between 2 and 10 times greater than normal. The tickness of the ventricular septum was 1 to 3 times greater than normal and the anterior wall of the infundibulum from 1 to 4 times greater than normal; the AV-A and A-PV distances were reduced in a half of the normal length. The great reduction of the right ventricular cavity was found to be related to the great hypertrophy of the right ventricular walls. The TV was dysplastic with Ebstein's anomaly (72%). The size of the tricuspid valve was small and it was a good indicator for the size of the right ventricle. Morphometric studies are useful because they quantitatively document alterations in the dimensions of valves, walls and diameters of the cardiac chambers in congenital heart disease.

Estudio morfopatológico de la conexión anómala total de venas pulmonares / Morphopathologic study of total anomalous pulmonary venous connection

To know the morphological features and the frequency of pulmonary anomalous connection types, 106 hearts from the collection of the Instituto Nacional de Cardiologia Ignacio Chávez were studied with the segmental sequential system. The atrial situs, connections of cardiac segments, morphology of cardiac chambers, interatrial septum, venous collector, sites of anomalous pulmonary venous connection and associated anomalies were determined. Darling's classification was used. The atrial situs was: solitus (73), dextroisomerism (30) and inversus (3). In the supradiaphragmatic level the supracardiac connection (44) was distributed into superior vena cava (24) and vertical vein (20). The cardiac level (39) was divided into venous coronary sinus (22) and to the right atrium (17). The infradiaphragmatic level was to the portal vein (10) and the mixed group (13) had different combinations. 100 hearts had atrial septal defect and 6 had patent foramen ovale. The hearts with dextroisomerism had several intracardiac malformations; 14 specimens had obstructed venous collectors. Three important aspects in diagnosis are: site of anomalous connection, size of atrial septal defect and obstruction in the venous collector; this information is valuable to understand the physiopathology, to establish the diagnosis and to help the surgeon to chose the best surgical strategy.

Ebstein's Anomaly: anatomo-echocardiographic correlation.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this investigation is to demonstrate that in Ebstein's Anomaly (EA) the right ventricle (RV) is affected in its three portions and to establish an anatomoechocardiographic correlation between the anatomic features and the equivalent echocardiographic images. METHODS: Thirty hearts with EA were studied. The alterations of each portions of the RV were described. Fifty adult patients with this anomaly were studied by echocardiography. RESULTS: Anatomy: All hearts had atrial situs solitus, 27 had concordant atrioventricular connection and 3 discordant, of these 2 had transposition of the great arteries (TGA) and one double outlet right ventricle (DORV). The degree of tricuspid valve (TV) displacement showed a spectrum from I to III. The inlet of the RV was markedly thin in 27. The trabecular portion had multiples muscular bands in all. The outlet portion was dilated in 20 and stenotic in 5. In 25 atrial septal defects were found. Echocardiography: All patients had atrial situs solitus, 42 with concordant atrioventricular connection and 8 with discordant, of these last patients 5 had TGA and 3 DORV. The degree of TV displacement varied from I to III. The inlet of RV was markedly thin in 42. The trabecular portion had muscular bands in 45. The outlet portion was dilated in 31 and stenotic in 11. In 30 atrial septal defects were found. CONCLUSION: The EA affects the whole RV and the anatomoechocardiographic correlation provides an appropriate understanding of echocardiographic images in terms of a precise diagnosis, therapeutic decisions and prognosis.

Hipoplasia ventricular derecha: estudios morfométrico y morfológico / Morphometric and morphologic studies in right ventricular hypoplasia

In hypoplastic right ventricle the dysplasia of the tricuspid valve (TV) has repercussions on the development of the right ventricle. This paper documents the results of an anatomopathologic and morphometric studies of the tricuspid valve and the right ventricle in 25 hearts with this cardiopathy, which were morphologically analyzed using the segmentary sequential system. The following measurements were made: the annulus of the tricuspid valve, the thickness of the walls of the right ventricle, the ventricular septum and the distances from the atrioventricular-apex (AV-A) and from the apex-pulmonary valve (A-PV). The values obtained were compared with those of normal hearts of equivalent ages; the morphologic features of the tricuspid valve and the right ventricle were described. The thickness of the anterior and posterior walls of righ ventricle was between 2 and 10 times greater than normal. The tickness of the ventricular septum was 1 to 3 times greater than normal and the anterior wall of the infundibulum from 1 to 4 times greater than normal; the AV-A and A-PV distances were reduced in a half of the normal length. The great reduction of the right ventricular cavity was found to be related to the great hypertrophy of the right ventricular walls. The TV was dysplastic with Ebstein's anomaly (72%). The size of the tricuspid valve was small and it was a good indicator for the size of the right ventricle. Morphometric studies are useful because they quantitatively document alterations in the dimensions of valves, walls and diameters of the cardiac chambers in congenital heart disease.

[Morphopathologic study of total anomalous pulmonary venous connection]. / Estudio morfopatológico de la conexión anómala total de venas pulmonares.

To know the morphological features and the frequency of pulmonary anomalous connection types, 106 hearts from the collection of the Instituto Nacional de Cardiologia Ignacio Chávez were studied with the segmental sequential system. The atrial situs, connections of cardiac segments, morphology of cardiac chambers, interatrial septum, venous collector, sites of anomalous pulmonary venous connection and associated anomalies were determined. Darling's classification was used. The atrial situs was: solitus (73), dextroisomerism (30) and inversus (3). In the supradiaphragmatic level the supracardiac connection (44) was distributed into superior vena cava (24) and vertical vein (20). The cardiac level (39) was divided into venous coronary sinus (22) and to the right atrium (17). The infradiaphragmatic level was to the portal vein (10) and the mixed group (13) had different combinations. 100 hearts had atrial septal defect and 6 had patent foramen ovale. The hearts with dextroisomerism had several intracardiac malformations; 14 specimens had obstructed venous collectors. Three important aspects in diagnosis are: site of anomalous connection, size of atrial septal defect and obstruction in the venous collector; this information is valuable to understand the physiopathology, to establish the diagnosis and to help the surgeon to chose the best surgical strategy.

Aortic obstruction: anatomy and echocardiography.

Echocardiography is a valuable non-invasive technique for identifying the site and type of aortic obstruction. Knowledge of the morphological details of each type of obstruction is the basis for correct interpretation of the diagnostic images and clinical decisions. This study was undertaken to correlate the echocardiographic images with anatomic specimens of equivalent valvular and supravalvular aortic obstruction. Specimens were part of the collection of the Department of Embryology. Fifty six patients were studied, and forty specimens with aortic obstruction were analyzed. Echocardiographic characteristics: Thirty one (55.3%) patients were women and twenty five (44.7%) men. Valvular aortic obstruction was found in Thirty six patients (64.3 %) and supravalvular aortic obstruction in twenty (35.7%). Anatomic characteristics: Of the forty specimens examined, twenty one (52.5%) had valvular aortic obstruction and nineteen (47.5%) supravalvular aortic obstruction. The anatomoechocardiographic correlation clearly showed that the anatomic findings of the specimen hearts and aortas corresponded to echocardiographic images of valvular and supravalvular aortic obstruction and provided solid corroboration of echocardiographic diagnoses.

Atrial septal defect: anatomoechocardiographic correlation.

This study was undertaken to enhance understanding of the anatomic abnormalities involved in atrial septal defect (ASD) based on the anatomoechocardiographic comparison of equivalent specimens of ASD and the echocardiograms of patients with this anomaly. Of the 72 heart specimens, two had common atrioventricular canal (2.8%) and one had absence of right atrioventricular connection (1.4%). In all, 46 (63.8%) had fossa ovalis type ASD, two (2.8%) had true ostium secundum type ASD, two (2.8%) had ostium primum type ASD, two (2.8%) had superior sinus venosus type ASD, and two (2.8%) had inferior sinus venosus type ASD. One (1.4%) specimen had a coronary venous sinus type ASD and 14 (19.4%) had mixed type ASD. Of the 144 patients evaluated with echocardiography 15 (10.4%) had common atrioventricular canal, one (0.7%) had right absence of atrioventricular connection, 105 (72.9%) had ostium secundum type ASD (fossa ovalis), 10 (7%) had mixed type ASD, 9 (6.2%) had superior venous sinus type ASD, two (1.4%) had ostium primum type ASD, and two (1.4%) had true fossa ovalis type ASD. This series leads us to conclude that the key to successful management of ASD depends on understanding echocardiographic images in terms of anatomic specimens to provide appropriate evaluations for therapeutic decisions and establishment of prognoses.