Aorto-pulmonary Window

Echo studies

Aorto-pulmonary Window, also known as aorto-pulmonary septal defect, is very rare, (0.2 to 0.6 % of all CHD) and is a discrete communication of variable size between aorta and pulmonary artery. It is classified according to Mori et. al. by location of the defect into three types: Type 1, the most frequent form, is a communication midway between the semilunar valves and the pulmonary bifurcation. The case shown here in suprastrenal notch echo shows an 8 cm opening between ascending aorta and main pulmonary artery.
Type 2 is more distal with its distal border is formed by the pulmonary bifurcation; it is commonly associated with an aortic origin of the right pulmonary artery. Type 3 is very rare, consisting of a large and confluent defect involving the entire septum.

Clinical considerations...