PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - Marek, Dan
AU  - Sovova, Eliska
AU  - Kocianova, Eva
TI  - THE PREVALENCE OF EUSTACHIAN VALVE ON TRANSOESOPHAGEAL ECHO EXAMINATION
DP  - 2011 Sep 1
TA  - Biomedical papers
PG  - 283--285
VI  - 155
IP  - 3
AID - 10.5507/bp.2011.025
IS  - 12138118
AB  - Background: The Eustachian valve (EV) is an embryonic structure redirecting the blood flow from the inferior vena cava through the foramen ovale. It may persist in adults as a floating membrane in the right atrium. A large EV can be associated with thrombosis, embolization, bacterial endocarditis, etc. The prevalence of EV in the normal population is unknown.
Aim: to assess the prevalence and size of EV in unselected patients examined by transoesophageal echo.
Methods: 1100 consecutive patients were examined for various reasons by a single operator and interpreter. Routine check was made for the presence of EV in the right atrium. Only patients with a mobile EV and not with a simple rigid rim were counted. Three measurements of the EV length at the level of the aortic valve (i.e. 90°C) were made off-line and the longest distance considered. If the EV was not visualized and recorded as a straight line because of its chaotic movement, the picture of the valve was segmented into several separated valve portions and the sum taken as the true length.
Results: 46 patients (24 males) with EV were identified out of total 1100 pts examined. The average length of the EV was 23.6 ± 9.7 mm (7-47 mm, median 23 mm).
Conclusions: The finding of a persisting Eustachian valve on transoesophageal echo examination is not rare. The prevalence was similar in men and in women. Bearing in mind the possible complications associated with a large valve, we recommend that a proper description of persistent EV is included in routine transoesophageal echo reports.