False passage in the interventricular septum. Echocardiography in diagnosis and management of a rare complication after closed transventricular valvotomy for critical aortic stenosis.

A case of a false passage causing an aneurysm of the interventricular septum is reported. Two-dimensional echocardiography facilitates the correct preoperative diagnosis of critical aortic stenosis and is helpful in the postoperative management to assess the outcome and detect complications. Surgical intervention for a false passage was prevented by serial echocardiographic follow-up studies showing resolution of the aneurysm.