SciELO - Scientific Electronic Library Online

 
vol.82 número3Los polimorfismos del gen MHC2TA no se asocian con la reestenosis después del implante de stent coronario en pacientes mexicanosLa terapia celular en la cardiopatía isquémica índice de autoresíndice de materiabúsqueda de artículos
Home Pagelista alfabética de revistas  

Servicios Personalizados

Revista

Articulo

Indicadores

Links relacionados

  • No hay artículos similaresSimilares en SciELO

Compartir


Archivos de cardiología de México

versión On-line ISSN 1665-1731versión impresa ISSN 1405-9940

Arch. Cardiol. Méx. vol.82 no.3 Ciudad de México jul./sep. 2012

 

Comunicación breve

 

Systolic heart murmur as first manifestation of high output heart failure due to the vein of galen malformation

 

Soplo sistólico como primera manifestación de insuficiencia cardiaca de gasto alto secundaria a malformación de la vena de Galeno

 

Juan S. Barajas-Gamboaa,b,*, Julio A. Diaz-Perezb, Yoana Leon-Camargoa, Carlos A. Gonzalez-Gomeza, Cecilia Sandoval-Gomeza

 

a School of Medicine, Autonomous University of Bucaramanga (UNAB), Bucaramanga, Colombia.

b Department of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla CA, USA.

 

* Corresponding author at:
Department of Medicine,
UCSD Moores Cancer Center, University of California,
3855 Health Sciences Drive. Z.P. 92093. San Diego, La Jolla CA, USA.
Tel.: +(858) 822 3334.
E-mail addresses: jsbarajas@ucsd.edu; jbarajas2@unab.edu.co (J.S. Barajas-Gamboa).

 

Received 27 January 2012.
A ccepted 17 April 2012.

 

 

Abstract

The vein of Galen aneurysmal malformation (VGAM) is an extremely rare arteriovenous malformation. The VGAM clinical manifestations vary depending on the magnitude of vascular compromise and the age at initial presentation. Neonates typically present with severe congestive heart failure. Here we present a case in which a systolic heart murmur was the first manifestation of high output heart failure due to a VGAM.

Keywords: Newborn; Vein of Galen malformations; Aneurysm; Heart Failure; United States of America.

 

Resumen

Las malformaciones de la vena cerebral de Galeno (MVG) son extremadamente raras. Sus manifestaciones clínicas varían dependiendo de la magnitud del compromiso vascular y la edad inicial de presentación. En neonatos, típicamente se presenta con una insuficiencia cardiaca congestiva grave. Se presenta un caso en el cual un soplo sistólico cardiaco fue la primera manifestación de una insuficiencia cardíaca de gasto alto secundaria a una malformación aneurismática de la vena de Galeno.

Palabras clave: Neonato; Malformaciones de la vena de Galeno; Aneurisma; Insuficiencia Cardiaca; Estados Unidos de América.

 

Introduction

The vein of Galen (VG) is a small, thin-walled blood vessel (1 cm path length) considered a deep/internal cerebral vein. The internal cerebral veins are anatomically formed by the union of the thalamostriate vein and the choroid vein at the interventricular foramen. Along its extention, the VG flexes upwards from the splenium of corpus callosum, continues into the anterior extremity of the sinus rectus, and receives the basal occipital, basal internal and superior callous veins.1

The vein of Galen aneurysmal malformation (VGAM) was initially described by Jaeger et al. in 1937.1 VGAM accounts for < 1% of intracranial arteriovenous malformations and approximately 30% of vascular intracranial anomalies in pediatric patients.2,3 VGAM results from the persistence of the embryonic proencephalic vein of Markowski, which normally regresses between the 6th and 11th weeks of development.4 VGAM generates an arteriovenous shunt that can lead to heart failure, pulmonary hypertension, intraventricular hemorrhage and hydrocephaly, depending on the magnitude of vascular compromise.3

In recent years the evaluation for VGAM has steadily advanced, allowing for prenatal detection in most cases. However, some cases, like the one presented here, present atypically, and are a challenge to diagnose.

 

Case report

Our patient is the product of a 39-week gestation born to a 21-year old woman. Her past relevant medical history included only a previous vaginal delivery. She was evaluated regularly during this pregnancy and had no symptoms. Screens for syphilis and HIV were negative and two obstetric ultrasounds were normal. She developed pregnancy-induced hypertension in the final three weeks of the pregnancy, with no other complications.

Vaginal delivery was without complications. The newborn was a 39-week old male with a good Apgar score (8/10 one minute and 9/10 five minutes after birth). However, 12 hours after birth the newborn showed perioral cyanosis, exacerbated with crying and suctioning. He needed oxygen administration (1 L/min) to improve his oxygen saturation (from 80% to 98%). On examination at that time, the newborn weighed 3440g, with 51 cm height, 34cm cephalic circumference, 29 cm abdominal circumference, and 31 cm thoracic perimeter. He was noted to have a systolic murmur (III/VI-grade) with highest intensity at the left upper sternal border. No other anomalies were found.

Radiography of the chest demonstrated a cardiothoracic index of 3.9 (Fig. 1). Echocardiogram revealed a dilated right ventricle with moderate functional tricuspid, pulmonary hypertension (80% systemic), a small patent foramen ovale and ductus arteriosus, and bi-directional shunting with predominant left to right flow.

The newborn was admitted to the intensive care unit, but rapidly deteriorated becoming hypoactive and hypotonic, with poor suction, incomplete Moro and grasp reflexes and intolerance to oral feeding. Thoracoabdominal computed tomography (CT) scan showed right predominance cardiomegaly, augmented pulmonary artery size, and persistent ductus arteriosus. Transfontanellar ultrasonography and CT scans showed a rounded cystic dilated structure in the back of the third ventricle and above the cerebellum with high vascular flow; this is compatible with VGAM that has dilated neighboring vascular structures (internal cerebral veins). Multiple vascular structures were found communicating not only with the VGA, but also with the anterior cerebral arteries, pericallosal artery, as well as a branch of the posterior cerebral artery. There was also prominence of the circle of Willis, cerebral arteries, and basilar artery, resulting from VGAM (Fig. 2). No other anomalies were found.

The VGAM was embolized with microparticles through an endovascular procedure by transvenous route.

Under general anesthesia, a 0.018-inch guidewire was placed via an umbilical approach, within a 4Fr guiding catheter. A 0.014-inch Transend® Ex Floppy microguide wire was then navigated through a 1.7Fr Excelsior® SL-10 microcatheter to the branches from the bilateral anterior choroidal arteries. After the malformation was embolized using N-butyl cyanoacrylate (NBCA), the flow through the fistula was significantly reduced, allowing the infant to regain normal hemodynamic parameters. The patient experienced progressive resolution of his symptoms and within 2-weeks no longer required oxygen or other supportive measures. He currently is asymptomatic, with age-appropriate development, at 10 months after treatment.

 

Discussion

VGAM are divided into two groups: aneurysmatic dilations and malformations.4 VGAMs have direct communication between the choroidal or mural arteries and the VG. Choroidal malformations lead to mild to severe cardiac failure, cerebral atrophy, convulsions, or hepatomegaly in neonates.5 The clinical manifestations of VGAM vary depending on age at clinical debut and other factors. In neonates, like our case, the most common clinical presentations related to heart failure are cyanosis, tachycardia and bounding carotid pulses.6-8

The heart failure developed as a result of VGAM can exhibit different grades, and its clinical manifestations depend on its severity. Some cases, such as this one, have a moderate compromise resulting in overlooked clinical manifestations. Therefore a thorough clinical examination can be the cornerstone in the diagnosis of this rare anomaly.

The medical confirmation of this congenital anomaly is through ultrasound studies or magnetic resonance imaging, in many cases allowing prenatal detection. In some studies, a mid-cerebral-line cystic lesion is visible,7,9 but in some cases, as presented here, this malformation could be unseen. However, VGAM can go undetected despite appropriate prenatal screening, and early detection and treatment after birth can prevent complications. In this case, the first manifestation was a (III/VI-grade) systolic murmur, a simple clinical sign that can encourage evaluation for evidence of heart failure, which may otherwise be unexplained. This can lead to earlier diagnosis, rapid treatment, and prevention of brain damage and other complications such as intracranial hemorrhage and hydrocephaly.7

Vascular embolization is the therapythat has so far shown to be the most effective. It consists of percutaneous arterial and venous embolization guided by micro-catheters, mostly via the umbilical artery. Once the morphologic anomaly is detected, N-butyl-cyanoacrylate (NBCA) injection or other embolic agents are administered by means of radio-opaque agents.10-12 These endovascular advancements have markedly improved the prognosis of VGAM in the past few years. In 1964, Gold et al. reported a 100% mortality among neonates with VGAM.13 By 2003, Fullerton et al. reported a mortality rate of only 15% due to new options in the treatment for this condition.14

In conclusion, we report a difficult case in which an appropriate clinical approach allowed rapid treatment, consequently resulting in reversal of severe heart failure and a favorable outcome for the patient.

 

Funding

This manuscript was supported with personal funding.

 

Conflict of interest

There are no conflicts of interest to disclose.

 

Acknowledgment

Authors would like to thank Dr. Michael Y. Choi for data preparation.

 

References

1. Torres MG, Gutiérrez M, Marugan JM, et al. Caso radiológico: aneurisma de la vena de Galeno. Soc Bol Ped 1993;34:55 -7.         [ Links ]

2. Casasco A, Lylyk P, Hodes JE, et al. Percutaneous transvenous catheterization and embolization of vein of Galen aneurysms. Neurosurg 1991;28:260-6.         [ Links ]

3. Aparicio RR, Guerrero G, Rodríguez A, et al. Aneurisma de la vena de Galeno. An Radiol Mex 2002;4:577-80.         [ Links ]

4. Marín SI, Malfaz FC, González C, et al. Malformación arteriovenosa de la vena de Galeno. An Pediatr 2003;58:580-3.         [ Links ]

5. López-Laso E, Mateos ME, Pérez DA, et al. Malformaciones vasculares del sistema nervioso central en niños. Rev Neurol 1999;28:751-6.         [ Links ]

6. Dargaville PA, Mitchell PJ, Tress BM, et al. Clinical course and medical management of neonates with severe cardiac failure related to vein of Galen malformation. Arch Dis Child Fetal Neonatal 2002;87:144-9.         [ Links ]

7. Golombek SG, Ally S, Woolf PK. A newborn with cardiac failure secondary to a large vein of Galen malformation. South Med J 2004;97:516-8.         [ Links ]

8. Sasidharan CK, Anoop P, Vijayakumar M, et al. Spectrum of clinical presentations of vein of Galen aneurysm. Indian J Pediatri 2004;71:459-63.         [ Links ]

9. Maheshwari PR, Pungavkar SA, Narkhede P, et al. Vein of Galen aneurysmal malformation: antenatal MRI. J Postgrad Med 2003;49:350-1.         [ Links ]

10. Bhattacharya JJ, Thammaroj J. Vein of Galen malformations. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry 2003;74:42-4.         [ Links ]

11. Chiang V, Berenstein A. Neonatal Galenic arteriovenous malformation. Neurosurgery 1999;4:44.         [ Links ]

12. Galilloud P, O'Riordan DP, Burger I, et al. Diagnosis and management of vein of Galen aneurysmal malformations. J Perinatol 2005;25:542-51.         [ Links ]

13. Gold A, Ransahoff J, Carter S. Vein of Galen malformation. Acta Neurol Scand 1964;40 2 Suppl:5-31.         [ Links ]

14. Fullerton HJ, Aminoff AR, Ferriero DM, et al. Neurodevelop-mental outcome after endovascular treatment of vein of Galen malformations. Neurology 2003;61:1386-90.         [ Links ]

Creative Commons License Todo el contenido de esta revista, excepto dónde está identificado, está bajo una Licencia Creative Commons