Iatrogenic left ventricular-right atrial fistula following mitral valve replacement and tricuspid annuloplasty: Diagnosis by transthoracic and transesophageal echocardiography

Acquired left ventricle-to-right atrium communications are a known complica tion of valvular heart surgery. Previous reports have described the clinica l features and diagnosis using cardiac catheterization. We report two cases of acquired left ventricle-to-right atrium fistula following mitral valve replacement, Particular emphasis is placed on the diagnosis using transthor acic and transesophageal echocardiography, obviating the need for cardiac c atheterization before repair.