ACQUIRED LEFT-VENTRICULAR TO RIGHT ATRIAL COMMUNICATION AND COMPLETE HEART-BLOCK FOLLOWING NONPENETRATING CARDIAC TRAUMA

Intracardiac shunts are uncommon cardiac lesions caused by blunt chest trauma. A very unusual case is reported of a young male with an acqui red left ventricular to right atrial communication and complete heart block caused by nonpenetrating chest trauma. The left ventricular to r ight atrial fistula was diagnosed noninvasively by transthoracic and t ransesophageal echo-Doppler examination and the findings were confirme d by left ventricular to right atrial fistula was diagnosed noninvasiv ely by transthoracic and transesophageal echo-Doppler examination and the findings were confirmed by left ventriculography and by the intrao perative findings.