Eustachian valvula: real-time three-dimensional transthoracic echocardiographic imaging.

Mailing address: Marcelo Luiz Campos Vieira • Rua Cardoso de Melo, 463/21 04548-002 São Paulo, SP Brazil E-mail: [email protected] Manuscript received January 09, 2007; revised manuscript received January 01, 2007; accepted March 13, 2007. The use of three-dimensional echocardiography for the analysis of cardiac structures allows the viewing of planes that make the anatomic identification more realistic1-3. We present the case of a 41-year-old male patient, a high-performance athlete (marathoner) in whom an Eustachian valvula was identified. In the two-dimensional echocardiographic study (Figure 1), an elongated, filiform structure is observed. Threedimensional echocardiography shows an elongated, but not filiform valvula which appears as a structure with a wide base, as identified in the short-axis view, which enables anatomic observation from a depth or elevation plane (Figure 2). Potential Conflict of Interest