[Echocardiographic diagnosis of partial anomalous pulmonary venous connection].

OBJECTIVE

To investigate partial anomalous pulmonary venous connection (PAPVC) with echocardiography.

METHODS

The right ventricular volume overload was detected by routine echocardiography in 37 child patients, who underwent further echocardiography to find the abnormal locations of pulmonary vein opening at superior, inferior vena cava and right atrium. The ultrasound results were compared with surgical findings.

RESULTS

In 30 patients the ultrasound diagnosis was consistent with surgery results, 7 were misdiagnosed by ultrasound with a detective rate of 81.1 %. All 37 PAPVC patients presented varying degrees of right heart enlargement; PAPVC combined with atrial septal defect (ASD) was found in 34 cases.

CONCLUSION

The possibility of PAPVC should be considered when unexplained right heart volume overload was detected by echocardiography. Superior, inferior vena cava and right atrium should be inspected when the pulmonary veins were not seen in echocardiography.