The diagnosis and surgical treatment of double-chambered right ventricle

Abstract

Background: Double-chambered right ventricle (DCRV) is a rare congenital anomaly. From January 1990 to February 1993, 60 patients with DCRV were identified among 1,094 patients with congenital defects of the heart who had open-heart surgery in our hospital. Thirty-six patients were males, and 24 were females, with a mean age of 9.3 years (from 3 to 28 years). Various cardiac anomalies were found to be associated with DCRV. The most common was ventricular septal defect (VSD); 52 patients (86.7%) had VSD, and 6 (10%) had other cardiac lesions. Aims: This study summarises our experience in diagnosing DCRV and surgical correction of the anomaly. Methods: Preoperative diagnosis of DCRV depended mainly on 2-dimensional echocardiography, cardiac catheterisation and cineangiography. Surgical correction consisted of resection of anomalous muscle bundles and correction of associated anomalies through a right ventriculotomy. Results: There was 1 hospital death (1.7%); 59 patients survived (98.3%). The pressure gradient of the right ventricle decreased from 49±23 mmHg (mean±SD) preoperatively to 16±6 mmHg postoperatively (p < 0.001). Patients were followed for 0.3 to 3 years (1.8±0.9 years). No major symptoms were documented at follow-up. Conclusion: Excellent results were obtained with surgical correction of DCRV and related anomalies.