ABSTRACT
Congenital heart disease (CHD) in adults comprises a broad spectrum of pathologies which may have normal or abnormal relationships of chambers, valves, and vessels, resulting in abnormal flow. The complex nature of the cardiac lesions in adult CHD typically requires thorough interrogation by ultrasound using advanced cognitive and technical transesophageal echocardiographic (TEE) skills.1 However, identification of simple shunts related to the presence of defects in the interatrial septum (IAS) and interventricular septum (IVS) does form part of a basic TEE examination. This may identify a potential mechanism of unexplained hypoxia or hemodynamic instability in a patient. Atrial septal defects (ASD) account for 25-33% of all adult congenital heart disease. Ventricular septal defects (VSD) are the most common infant cardiac anomalies and account for approximately 10% of adult congenital cases. A high incidence of spontaneous closure reduces the prevalence between the adult and pediatric population. This chapter will review the embryology, anatomy, defects, and TEE views for assessment of patent foramen ovale (PFO), ASD, and VSD.
