Transesophageal and Transthoracic Two-dimensional Color Doppler Echocardiography and Magnetic Resonance Imaging in the Diagnosis of Atrial Septal Defect

We investigated the role of transthoracic (TTE) and transesophageal (TEE) 2-dimensional color Doppler echocardiography and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the diagnosis of atrial septal defect (ASD) in 9 adult patients with ASD. The diagnosis was confirmed by TEE in 8 patients and by TTE in 1 patient who did not tolerate TEE. MRI showed ASD in 7 of 8 patients. MRI failed to show ASD in 1 patient who was diagnosed as ASD by cardiac catheterization and TEE. We conclude that TTE coupled with TEE is superior to MRI in the diagnosis of ostium secundum type of ASD.