Introduction For the anatomist and pathologist, the terms “univentricular” and “single” have proven to be among the most controversial words used to describe a congenitally malformed heart. Since the mid-1990s, light has begun to emerge at the end of the…
Introduction The various abnormal ventriculoarterial connections, such as transposition in its regular or congenitally corrected variants, double-outlet ventricles, and common arterial trunk, are all congenital malformations involving the ventricular outflow tract. They are often described in terms of “conotruncal malformations,”…
This chapter discusses the range of congenital coronary anomalies that may be found in an otherwise structurally normal heart, first reviewing the anatomy and development of the coronary arteries before focusing on the most clinically significant anomalies of coronary artery…
Introduction Coarctation derives from the Latin term coartatio , which translated literally means “a drawing together.” Aortic coarctation, therefore, indicates a narrowing at some point along the course of the aorta. When used in the context of the congenitally malformed…
Introduction It is well recognized that obstruction within outflow tract of the morphologically left ventricle may be above the arterial valve, at the level of the valve itself, or in the subvalvar region. The arterial valve of the morphologically left…
The right ventricle (RV) can be hypoplastic in various settings. It can be small in the presence of deficient ventricular or atrioventricular septation, producing so-called left ventricular dominance. The chamber can also be small and incomplete in the setting of…
Historical Considerations When Siegal reexamined the original second century Greek text of Galen, he pointed out that Galen was familiar with many aspects of the fetal circulation even though he did not realize that blood circulated. Galen understood that fetal…
Introduction Common arterial trunk is an uncommon congenital cardiac lesion. The essential anatomic characteristic is the presence of a common ventriculoarterial junction that gives rise to an arterial trunk. This, in turn, gives rise to the systemic, pulmonary, and coronary…
Introduction Double-outlet ventricle is no more than an abnormal ventriculoarterial connection. Therefore the feature may occur with each atrial arrangement, any atrioventricular connection, and all possible variations of ventricular morphology. The morphologic arrangement can then be further complicated by associated…
Introduction The essence of congenitally corrected transposition is the presence of discordant connections at both atrioventricular (AV) and ventriculoarterial (VA) junctions. This segmental combination (like transposition itself, Chapter 37 ), can be found in patients with either usual or mirror-imaged…