Cardiovascular Imaging

Aorticopulmonary window

a congenital anomaly consisting of a communication between the ascending aorta and main pulmonary artery. It differs from truncus arteriosus in that two semilunar valves exist. It may occur as an isolated lesion but is usually associated with additional anomalies including ventricular septal defect, patent ductus arteriosus, aortic coarctation and aortic arch interruption. It usually causes severe pulmonary oedema in the neonatal period. Chest X-ray usually shows pulmonary oedema, pulmonary overcirculation and cardiomegaly. Aortography demonstrates opacification of the pulmonary arteries before opacification of the descending aorta. Echocardiography and MRI can identify the connection between the ascending aorta and main pulmonary artery with two semilunar valves (Fig.1).

CBH

To view high resolution images,
please register first.

Click  here to register.

Already registered? Enter your e-mail in the window below.
Re-register

Fig.1

ECG gated coronal spin-echo MR image shows a connection (arrow) between the ascending aorta (A) and pulmonary artery (P).
Aorticopulmonary window, Fig.1