Radiological evaluation of double-outlet right ventricle: an analysis of cinecardioangiography in 44 cases

ABSTRACT

Double-outlet right ventricle is defined as follows both great arteries arise completely or nearly completelyfrom the right ventricle; neither semilunar valve is in fibrous continuity with either atrioventricular valve; andusually a ventricular septal defect is present and the only outlet from the left ventricle. A total of 44 cases ofdouble-outlet right ventricle is analyzed, in which cineangiocardiographies were done at the Department ofRadiology, Seoul National University Hospital in recent 4 year and 6 months, with specific reference to thesegmental combinations, the height of conus the relationship of great arteries, the location of ventricular septaldefects, and associated anomalies. The resuslts were as follows; 1. Among 44 cases, 36 cases had normal cardiacposition, 4 cases had dextrocardia with situs inversus, 2 cases had dextrocardia with situs solitus, 1 case hadlevocardia with situs inversus, and another 1 case had mesocardia with situs ambiguus. 2. Segmental sets were[S.D.D] in 36 cases, [I.L.L] in 3 cases, [I.D.D] in 2 cases, [S.D.L], [S.L.L] and [A,D,D] in 1 case respectively.3. All cases had bilateral conus. Aortic valve rings were same level as pulmonary valve rings in 25 cases, lowerthan pulmonary valve rings in 17 cases in which 15 cases were type A., and higher than pulmonary valve rings in 2cases. 4. The relation of the great arteries were normal in 15 cases, side-by side in 13 cases, dextromalpositionin 13 cases, and levomal position in 3 cases. 5, The position of the ventricular septal defects with respect tothe origins of the great arteries is subaortic (type A & type B) in 23 cases, subpulmonary (type C) in 13 cases,double committed (type D) in 3 cases, and uncommitted (type E) in 5 cases. 6. Associated cardiac malformations arepulmonary stenosis in 24 which had all cases of type A and type E, aortic stenosis in 6 which were only in type C,left SVC in 6, abnormality of atrioventricular valve in 5, single coronary artery in 4, interrupted IVC in 1,obstructive VSD in 2, ASD in 4, PDA in 4, right aortic arch with levocardia in 5, and ectopic spleen withmesocardia in 1 case. 7. Biplane cinecardioangiogram must be performed in both ventricles to define the VSD andits relationship to the great arteries, and, if necessary, should also be performed in the aorta to rule outcoarctation and coronary artery abnormalities, and in the pulmonary artery to visiualize pulmonary venous returnand mitral valve. Angiography is of crucial importance in differentiating double-outlet right ventricle fromtetralogy of Fallot and complete transposition of the great arteries.