CLINICAL DATA

A full-term male white newborn baby presented with cyanotic crises on crying and breast-feeding on his the first day of life. Peripheral oxygen saturation was 65%. The baby had a good general state, rosy complexion, he was hydrated, icteric and had tachydyspnea. Rhythmic, single second noise, hyperphonetic at the left sternal edge with a continuous murmur of ++/6 at high right sternal edge. The lungs had vesicular murmur present and symmetrical without adventitious noise. The liver was positioned on the right costal edge and the spleen was not palpable. The peripheral pulses were present and symmetrical. The systemic arterial pressure was without difference at the four limbs. Infusion of prostaglandin E1 was initiated with improvement of the oxygen saturation at 87%.

ELECTROCARDIOGRAM

The atrial rhythm alternated from the electric axis of the P wave at 145 beats/minute to the electric axis of the QRS complex + 120º. The P wave peaked at V1, V2 and V3 and the pure and broad R wave at V1, suggesting right atrial and ventricular overload.

RADIOGRAM

The liver was meso-positioned suggesting situs ambiguous. The cardiothoracic index was 0.58. Pulmonary parenchyma was present with a slight increase of the vascular system.



ECHOCARDIOGRAM

Situs ambiguous at mesocardia, concordant veno-atrial connection, an atrioventricular connection with single atrioventricular valve, ventriculo-arterial connection with single aortic outflow tract from hypoplastic antero-superior right ventricle were all evidenced. An ostium secundum-type interatrial connection of 4 mm and an ostium primum of 6 mm were seen, as was a copious interventricular connection of 9 mm. The arterial canal was 2 mm. Other findings included a single left-type ventricle, atresia of the pulmonary valve and branch and the presence of collateral systemic-pulmonary circulation originating from the descending aorta.

DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS

Pulmonary atresia, double outflow tract of the right ventricle, unbalanced atrioventricular septum defect, anomalous drainage of the pulmonary veins and transposition of the great arteries should all be considered.

DIAGNOSIS

A cineangiocardiographic study complemented the diagnostic investigation demonstrating the presence of a patent left superior vena cava, right atrial isomerism, single left-type ventricle with single aortic outflow tract from the rudimentary chamber and a ostium secundum-type interatrial connection. Also a copious interventricular connection, aorta in dextroposition, patent arterial canal supplying hypoplastic pulmonary arteries and collateral systemic-pulmonary circulation to both lungs were seen.

SURGERY

The cineangiocardiographic study was fundamental for the planning of the surgery, as it was a complex heart disease. The surgery was performed on the 25th day of life. In the presence of a long and twisting arterial canal supplying pulmonary arteries positioned in unusual positions, the choice of surgery was sternotomy and the modified Blalock-Taussig operation with the insertion of a 3.5-mm polytetrafluoroethylene tube from the brachiocephalic branch to the left pulmonary artery. Cardiopulmonary bypass was not employed. The arterial canal was not ligated with the intention of allowing a greater flow for the supplement and development of the pulmonary arteries. In the post-operative period, as he presented with right atrial isomerism and asplenia (confirmed by ultrasonography), he evolved with bacterial and fungal infections, which were appropriately treated and the patient was released from hospital on the 44th post-operative day. In the late evolution, rigorous care in relation to infections and out-patient follow-up visits are crucial to determine the best moment for the next cineangiocardiographic study and new intervention, at which a univentricular correction should be considered.