Introduction Division, or partitioning, of one of the atrial chambers is a rare malformation. Severe symptoms, or even death, may result if this condition is untreated. When recognized and treated surgically, life expectancy should be normal. Either the morphologically right…
Introduction Channels permitting shunting between the atrial chambers are important congenital cardiac anomalies because they are relatively common and are more nearly completely correctable than most other cardiac malformations, even more so in the era of catheter intervention. It may…
Introduction This chapter considers abnormalities of the pulmonary veins, in particular their anomalous connections to the systemic venous system. The variant of partially anomalous pulmonary venous connection associated with the sinus venosus interatrial communication is described in detail. The anomalous…
Introduction This chapter deals with abnormalities of position and connection of the major systemic venous channels that drain to the heart. We also discuss abnormal persistence of the valves of the embryonic systemic venous sinus. The anomalies included vary widely,…
Introduction It has long been recognized that congenital absence of the spleen, or the presence of multiple spleens, is associated with severe congenital malformations of the heart. Some of the most complex forms of congenital cardiac disease are associated with…
Introduction From the functional point of view, the heart is simply a specialized part of the vascular system. Nonetheless, development of the heart as a specialized pump is of great significance. We have learned a great deal over recent decades…
Introduction It is axiomatic that to understand abnormal anatomy, and to describe it adequately, it is necessary first to understand the normal arrangement, including the relationships of the conduction tissues and coronary arteries to the various components of the heart.…
Introduction It might reasonably be thought that those who diagnose and treat patients with congenitally malformed hearts would, by now, have reached consensus concerning the most appropriate way of describing the malformations with which they are confronted. It is certainly…
† Deceased. In this chapter, we provide a brief overview of cardiac structure as it is relevant for the cardiac surgeon. We describe the heart as it is located in the body in its anatomic, or attitudinally correct, position. Whenever…