Echocardiographic assessment of left to right shunts: atrial septal defect, ventricular septal defect, atrioventricular septal defect, patent arterial duct

Abstract

This review article will guide the reader through the basics of echocardiographic assessment of congenital left to right shunts in both paediatric and adult age groups. After reading this article, the reader will understand the pathology and clinical presentation of atrial septal defects (ASDs), ventricular septal defects (VSDs), atrioventricular septal defects (AVSDs) and patent arterial duct. Echocardiography is the mainstay in diagnosis and follow-up assessment of patients with congenital heart disease. This article will therefore describe the echocardiographic appearances of each lesion, and point the reader towards specific features to look for echocardiographically.

Keywords

• atrial septal defect
• ventricular septal defect
• atrioventricular septal defect
• patent arterial duct
• echocardiography