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Double Outlet Right Ventricle: A Rare Finding in a 15‐Month‐Old Female With Failure to Thrive

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Double outlet right ventricle (DORV) is a rare congenital heart defect where both the aorta and pulmonary artery originate from the right ventricle, often accompanied by additional cardiac anomalies to mitigate circulatory imbalance, though such compensations usually fail. We report a 15-month-old infant with recurrent respiratory infections and poor weight gain, referred for computed tomography angiography. Physical examination showed a small, non-syndromic infant with pallor, tachypnea, irritability, and finger clubbing. Initial imaging revealed cardiomegaly and lung infiltrates; echocardiography and computed tomography angiography confirmed additional intracardiac defects of double superior vena cavae, a hypoplastic aortic arch, hypertrophic right ventricular wall, and a patent ductus arteriosus. Corrective surgery was delayed due to respiratory complications. This case emphasizes the critical need to consider cardiac pathology in pediatric patients with recurrent respiratory symptoms, as untreated DORV can lead to high mortality.

Source: Clinical Case Reports

DOI: 10.1002/ccr3.70076

Authors: Bernadette Pedun, Ivaan Pitua, Felix Bongomin, Samuel Bugeza, Rita Nassanga Luzinda

Institutions: Uganda Cancer Institute, Makerere University, Gulu University, Gulu Hospital

Language: English

Topic: Congenital Heart Disease Studies

Subfield: Epidemiology

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $1,820