Acquired left ventricular-right atrium shunts.

Left ventricular to right atrial (LV-RA) shunt is an unusual type of ventricular septal defect (VSD). This article concentrates on acquired LV-RA shunts, which may be due to complications of cardiac operation, endocarditis, trauma or myocardial infarction. A previous cardiac operation is its most common cause. The diagnosis of LV-RA communication is not easy, and it should be remembered in patients who do not recover normally. Diagnosis can be confirmed with ultrasound or magnetic resonance image (MRI). Surgical correction is usually the treatment of choice, but closing the communication percutaneously should be considered as an option.