Right ventricular diverticulum following a pulmonary valve placement for correction of tetralogy of Fallot: A case report.

Abstract

Background: Ventricular diverticula are a rare congenital cardiac disorder presenting with an extremely low incidence. The presence of an apical diverticulum of the right ventricle has been associated with other congenital heart diseases such as tetralogy of Fallot. An important defining characteristic of ventricular diverticula that separates them from aneurysms through imaging techniques, is that they possess myocardial contraction synchronous to the adjacent walls, contributing to the ventricular stroke volume, so they do not usually require surgical treatment.

Case summary: A 15-year-old male, currently asymptomatic, in follow up due to a pulmonary valve prosthesis placement and a history of corrected tetralogy of Fallot at 18 months old, underwent a cardiac magnetic resonance imaging in February 2024. A diverticulum was detected in the apical inferolateral wall of the right ventricle, which was not documented in the cardiac magnetic resonance imaging prior to valve prosthesis placement.

Conclusion: Right ventricular diverticula are a rare entity. To this date we could not find another case of a pulmonary valve placement, followed by a right ventricular diverticulum appearance.