Radical Surgery for a Patient with a Single Ventricle with Special Reference to Echocardiographic and Autopsy Finding

A 23-year-old male was admitted on May 9, 1977 because of increasing fatigability and dyspnea on exertion. He had severe cyanosis associated with clubbed fingers and toes. Harsh systolic murmurs along the left sternal margin were heard with maximal intensity in the second intercostal space where thrills were left. Blood pressure was 150/80. It was assumed from the echocardiograph that the aortic valve was located anterior to the the pulmonary valve, because the ratio of the pre-ejection period to the ejection time was larger for the aortic valve than for the pulmonary valve. Furthermore, the absence of an interventricular septum and the presence of two separate atrioventricular valves were revealed.