Double chambered right ventricle: delineation by multiplane transoesophageal echocardiography

Three consecutive patients (median age 5 years; median weight 15 kg) with d ouble chambered right ventricle (DCRV) were studied by multiplane transoeso phageal echocardiography (TOE), using a specially designed paediatric probe . Using a 30 degrees angulation from the longitudinal plane, the body and o utflow tract of the right ventricle could be imaged with minimal foreshorte ning, allowing detailed description of the level and nature of obstruction. In all cases, angiography and subsequent surgical inspection confirmed the TOE findings. Multiplane TOE should avoid the necessity for angiography in the preoperative assessment of this unusual lesion. (C) 1998 Elsevier Scie nce Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.