Aims To compare the effects of LV volume overload due to chronic organic MR or AR on RV shape and function. Methods and results We studied 63 patients with moderate-severe or severe primary MR and 36 patients with moderate or severe AR. 3D echocardiography of LV and RV was performed to measure volumes and EF. RV fractional area change (FAC) was calculated, and RV shape was assessed by calculating the RV eccentricity index.LV EDVi was significantly larger in the patients with AR than in those with MR. RV EF and RV FAC were lower in pts with AR than in those with MR. RV EI was significantly higher in the AR group. In both groups, LV EDVi showed positive correlations with RV EI ( r= 0.693 for AR and r=0.399 for MR) and negative correlations (RV EF :r= -0.545 for AR and r=- 0.383 for MR ; RV FAC: r=-0.816 for AR and r=-0.647 for MR, ). LV sphericity index showed negative correlations (RVFAC: r= -0.512 and r=-0.608 f ;RV EF:r=-0.408 and r=-0.469 respectively ) and positive correlation with the RV EI (r= 0.39 and r=0.511 respectively) .LV EDVi and LV sphericity index were found to be the only independent predictors of RV eccentricity index, EF, and FAC. Conclusions RV remodeling in chronic LV overload due to MR or AR occurs independently on PASP values. LV size and shape are the only independent predictors of RV geometry and function. Accordingly, chronic AR has a greater impact on RV than MR

57-years old man presented with exertional dyspnea. An early systolic murmur was heard over the aortic areas 2D and 3D Echocardiography revealed unicuspid , unicommissural aortic valve (UAV) with a characteristic “teardrop” lateral orifice (Figure A) and moderate valve stenosis (3D planimetered aortic valve area (AVA) is 1.1cm2) (Figure B) Continuous wave Doppler across aortic valve (AV) showed high peak and mean systolic gradients of 85 and 60mmHg respectively.(Figure C). 2D /3D Transesophageal Echocardiography (TOE) revealed a subaortic ridge attached to the posterior annulus (Arrow) (Figure D) Further En-face viewing of the aortic valve from the left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT) perspective showed a shelf-like ridge extending from the commissure to the cusp (Arrow) (Figure E) Zoomed mode of the aortic- LVOT junction confirmed the presence of the subaortic ridge seen attached to the posterior aortic annulus near the commissural opening (Figure F) The patient was referred for surgical consultation .. Unicupid aortic valve (UAV) is a rare congenital anomaly that has.2 subtypes ; unicomissural and acommissural subtypes. Both can present with variable degrees of the aortic stenosis (AS) and/or aortic valve regurgitation (AR).UAV has more early, accelerated and severe valvular degeneration in addition to smaller orifice in comparison with bicuspid and tricuspid aortic valve. Echocardiography is the gold standard for diagnosis and evaluation of the AV morphology and function and the associated disorders such as ventricular septal defect , aortopathy and subaortic obstruction.. Surgical aortic valve replacement (AVR) and repair of the associated anomalies are the most common treatment modality .

Atrioventricular septal defects (AVSD) entails a wide range of morphological anomalies including the interatrial and interventricular communications and the atrioventricular (AV) valve(s). However, “En face ”visualization of these anomalies could not be done using standard two-dimensional echocardiography. Therefore, we report a case that highlights the role of three-dimensional echocardiography in imaging AVSDs.