Origin of Both Great Vessels from the Right Ventricle

Abstract

Clinical, hemo-dynamic, and pathologico-anatomic findings were studied in 6 cases in which both great vessels took origin from the right ventricle in the presence of pulmonary stenosis. This condition is indistinguishable from the tetralogy of Fallot, with cyanosis on the basis of clinical, ecg, and radiologic findings. The hemodynamics are also similar in both conditions. The more complicated surgical approach in the condition under consideration emphasizes the importance of its differentiation from the usual case of tetralogy of Fallot with cyanosis. Only angiocardiography and cardiac catheterization might be of diagnostic help, if one bears in mind the anatomic characteristics of this condition. The fact that both the aortic and pulmonary valves are at the same horizontal body level in this anomaly must be considered at angiocardiography. Also, the fact that the crista supraventricularis is cranial and more dorsal to the ventricular septal defect may be of some diagnostic help at angiocardiography. Careful analysis of the exact position of the semilunar valves during combined catheterization of the right side of the heart and the aorta is of some diagnostic importance.