Two-dimensional echocardiographic demonstration of so-called aneurysm of the membranous ventricular septum in adults. Value of combined "manual scanning"

Using two-dimensional (2-D) echocardiography we evaluated the applicability of the left ventricular (LV) short axis view combined with manual scanning technique for the detection and evaluation of aneurysms of the membranous ventricular septum (AMS). In 12 patients with angiographically proven AMS, we recorded from the left sternal border the short axis view of the left ventricle continuously displayed from the aortic to the ventricular level by tilting the transducer manually along the LV long axis plane. We then compared the detectability of AMS by this method with that by other standard fixed 2-D echocardiographic views. This method proved to be best for the detection of AMS (12/12), followed by an apical four-chamber view (10/12), a parasternal LV long axis view (8/12) and an apical two-chamber (2/12) view. For the detection of AMS and for three-dimensional evaluation of the structure of the AMS and the original orifice of ventricular septal defect the method was shown to be clinically applicable.