Korean Circ J.  1990 Sep;20(3):446-451. 10.4070/kcj.1990.20.3.446.

Visualization of Ostium Secundum Atrial Septal Defect by Transesophageal Echocardiography

• Chung WS
• Yun JI
• Baek SH
• Chun SS
• Kim CS
• Kim JH
• Choi KB
• Hong SJ

• KMID: 1938109
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4070/kcj.1990.20.3.446

Abstract

Atrial Septal Defect(ASD) is usually suspected clinically but requires a confirmative diagnostic procedure before surgical repair. Conventional transthoracic echocardiography has relatively high sensitivity and specificity for ASD, but difficulty in visualizing the ASD occasionally. Transesophageal echocardiography has special advantages for investigating the posteriorly located cardiac structures, including the atrial septum, which is imaged perpendicularly at a relatively short distance. We describe a case in which ostium secundum ASD was not visualized by conventional transthoracic echocardiography, but was diagnosed confidently by transesophageal echocardiography. It is concluded that transesophageal echocardiography appears to be a promising diagnostic tools for the evaluation of ASD on the basis of its ability to provide excellent imaging of the entire atrial septum and related posterior cardiac structures.

Keyword

Atrial septal defect; Transesophageal echocardiography

MeSH Terms

Atrial Septum
Echocardiography
Echocardiography, Transesophageal*
Heart Septal Defects, Atrial*
Sensitivity and Specificity