[Aortico-left ventricular tunnel. Report of 3 cases and review of the literature].

The aortico-left ventricular tunnel (AOLVT) is a rare abnormal communication between the ascending aorta and the left ventricle. The pathogenetic mechanism of this congenital anomaly is not completely understood. In addition to our 3 observations, 28 cases have been reported to date. In most cases the first symptoms appeared in early infancy. Clinical presentation and hemodynamics are identical to those of an aortic valve insufficiency. The correct diagnosis can be established by echocardiographic and angiocardiographic methods. Since the aortico-left ventricular tunnel is associated with congestive heart failure in infancy, in most cases surgical intervention is indicated in early childhood. The method of choice for surgical correction is a patch closure of the aortic orifice of the tunnel.