“Giant eustachian valve with echocardiographic appearance of patent foramen ovale: Role of Color Doppler echocardiography for accurate diagnosis”

Abstract

The Eustachian valve (EV) is an embryonic remnant of the sinus venosus. In adults, this structure may be completely absent or it may appear as a thin flap on echocardiography. However, in some patients, it may persist as a long mobile structure in the right atrium, and simulate structural cardiac defects. This case report intends to increase awareness that a giant EV can be mistaken as interatrial septum, leading to a misdiagnosis of patent foramen ovale and can lead to potentially major deleterious consequences. A comprehensive transesophageal echocardiographic examination in multiple views and knowledge of jet direction across the defects will help us in avoiding misdiagnosis of cardiac structures.

Keywords

• Eustachian valve
• Patent foramen ovale
• Color Doppler