Commentary: Aorto-Ventricular Tunnel: More Than a Mere Tunnel!

Aorto-ventricular tunnel is a rare anomaly. Successful repair hinges on effective closure of communication between aorta and ventricle as well as correction of the associated aortic valve disease. Surgical Management of Aorto-Ventricular Tunnel. A Multicenter StudySeminars in Thoracic and Cardiovascular SurgeryVol. 32Issue 2PreviewAorto-ventricular tunnel (AoVT), a rare congenital anomaly, is a channel originating in the ascending aorta just above the sinotubular junction and leading to the cavity of the left ventricle (AoLVT), or, rarely, the right (AoRVT). This study reviews our collective 30-year experience with the surgical treatment of AoVT. Data were submitted by 15 participating centers on 42 patients who underwent correction of AoVT between 1987 and 2018. Of these, 36 had AoLVT, and 6 AoRVT. The tunnel originated above the right coronary sinus in 28 (77.8%) patients. Full-Text PDF