Validation of 3D echocardiographic volume detection of left atrium by human cadaveric casts.

Background: Left atrial volume is a prognostic factor in cardiac pathologies. We aimed to validate left atrial volume detection with 3D and 2D echocardiography (3DE and 2DE) by human cadaveric casts. 3DE facilitates measurement of atrial volume without geometrical assumptions or dependence on imaging angle in contrast to 2DE methods.

Acquired left ventricular-right atrium shunts.

Left ventricular to right atrial (LV-RA) shunt is an unusual type of ventricular septal defect (VSD). This article concentrates on acquired LV-RA shunts, which may be due to complications of cardiac operation, endocarditis, trauma or myocardial infarction. A previous cardiac operation is its most common cause.