Angiocardiography in Endocardial Cushion Defects

Abstract

A specific diagnosis of enodcardial cushion defect can be made by angiocardiography because of the characteristic deformity of the left vantricular outflow tract. This deformity results from abnormalities of the anterior leaflet of the mitral valve and of the interventricular septum. Four cases showing the radiographic findings are presented. All were proved by surgical or postmortem examination. The diagnosis has been made in an additional 7 cases which are not anatomically proved. Although the clinical, plain roentgenographic, electrocardio-graphic, and cardiac catheterization findings are freqnectly highly suggestive, angiocardiography is the only method of demonstrating the exact anatomical defect.