Acquired left ventricular-right atrial communication: Gerbode-type defect

Left ventricular-right atrial (LV-RA) communications are rare intracardiac defects, often congenital in nature and clinically apparent during childhood. Acquired LV-RA shunts are encountered occasionally in the adult population as a result of a defect in the upper portion of the membranous ventricular septum. We describe the clinical and echocardiographic features of an elderly patient with an acquired LV-RA communication in the setting of an aortic composite valve graft and endocarditis. We also review the anatomical features and hemodynamic consequences of such defects.