Cardiology in the Young
- Cardiology in the Young (1999), 9 : pp 99-103
- Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1999
- DOI: 10.1017/S1047951100007514 (About DOI)
- Published online: 19 August 2008
Clinico-Pathological Correlation
Sudden death in an adult with a small ventricular septal defect and an aneurysmal membranous septum
B Sarubbia2, L M Gerlisa2 c1, S Y Hoa2 and J Somervillea1
a1 Jane Somerville Grown-up Congenital Heart Unit, The Royal Brompton Hospital, London
a2 Department of Paediatrics, National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College School of Medicine, London
Abstract
An apparently healthy man of 26 years of age suddenly died. He was known to have had a small ventricular septal defect and complete right bundle branch block from early childhood. At post-mortem examination the small ventricular septal defect was found associated with an aneurysm of the membranous septum. Histological examination showed a normal atrioventricular node and bundle, adjacent to the aneurysm. There was fibrous interruption at the commencement of the right bundle branch, which was considered the basis of the bundle branch block. It was also considered that the right bundle branch block was of the hereditary type and that this, rather than the aneurysm of the membranous septum, was responsible for the unexpected death.
(Accepted July 22 1998)
Correspondence:
c1 Dr L M Gerlis, Imperial College School of Medicine, National Heart and Lung Institute, Dovehouse Street, London SW3 6LY UK
