Eustachian valvula: real-time three-dimensional transthoracic echocardiographic imaging

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Eustachian valvula: real-time three-dimensional transthoracic echocardiographic imaging

Marcelo Luiz Campos Vieira; Antônio José Sproesser

Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein - São Paulo, SP - Brazil

^{Mailing address}

Key words: Echocardiography; heart valves, Eustachian valvula, anatomy.

The use of three-dimensional echocardiography for the analysis of cardiac structures allows the viewing of planes that make the anatomic identification more realistic^1-3. We present the case of a 41-year-old male patient, a high-performance athlete (marathoner) in whom an Eustachian valvula was identified. In the two-dimensional echocardiographic study (Figure 1), an elongated, filiform structure is observed. Three-dimensional echocardiography shows an elongated, but not filiform valvula which appears as a structure with a wide base, as identified in the short-axis view, which enables anatomic observation from a depth or elevation plane (Figure 2).

Potential Conflict of Interest

No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Sources of Funding

There were no external funding sources for this study.

Study Association

This study is not associated with any graduation program.

References

1. Li J, Sanders SP. Three-dimensional echocardiography in congenital heart disease. Curr Opin Cardiol. 1999; 14: 53-9.

2. Kisslo J, Firek B, Takahiro O, Kang DH, Fleishman CE, Stetten G, et al. Real-time volumetric echocardiography: the technology and the possibilities. Echocardiography. 2000; 17: 773-9.

3. Ahmad M. Real-time three-dimensional echocardiography in assessment of heart disease. Echocardiography. 2001;18 (1): 73-7.

Manuscript received January 09, 2007; revised manuscript received January 01, 2007; accepted March 13, 2007.

Publication Dates

• Publication in this collection
  25 Sept 2007
• Date of issue
  Sept 2007