A report study of successful surgical treatment of an aorto-left ventricular tunnel in a 5-year-old boy: differential diagnosis from other congenital heart diseases with similar clinical symptoms

TL;DR

A 5-year-old boy with a rare heart condition called aorto-left ventricular tunnel was successfully treated surgically after being misdiagnosed initially.

Contribution

This case highlights the successful surgical treatment and differential diagnosis of a rare congenital heart disease in a young patient.

Findings

Aorto-left ventricular tunnel (ALVT) was diagnosed in a 5-year-old boy through echocardiography.

Clinical symptoms of ALVT can overlap with other heart conditions, requiring careful differential diagnosis.

Successful surgical treatment of ALVT was achieved in this case.

Abstract

Aorto-left ventricular tunnel (ALVT) is a rare congenital anomaly. In this condition, the aorto-ventricular tunnel is a congenital extracardiac channel that connects the ascending aorta to the left ventricle above the sinotubular junction.

A 5-year-old boy presented with fatigue during physical activity, leading to visiting a pediatric specialist. Upon examination, a continuous murmur, predominantly diastolic, was detected. Suspecting aortic insufficiency, the patient was referred for further evaluation. Transthoracic echocardiography revealed a congenital ALVT.

Although congenital ALVT is a rare congenital heart disease, its clinical symptoms may overlap with other congenital heart diseases, such as tetralogy of Fallot without pulmonary stenosis and patent ductus arteriosus. Differential diagnosis, such as the absence of a wide pulse pressure, can be helpful in distinguishing between these conditions.

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