Doppler color flow mapping for the diagnosis of traumatic left ventricle - right atrial communication

The authors report the case of an aquired left ventricle - right atrial communication after closed chest trauma. This communication was associated with rupture of the aortic isthmus and complete atrioventricular block. The left-to-right shunt which was assumed for a long time to be a small, well tolerated, ventricular septal defect, finally required surgical repair. The diagnosis was eventually made clear by Doppler color flow mapping which was of great value in orienting the surgical procedure.