Real-Time Two-Dimensional Echocardiographic Assessment of the Interventricular Septum

Performance of the interventricular septum was assessed by real-time two-dimensional echocardiography. In patients with right ventricular volume overload, such as atrial septal defect, the interventricular septum was deviated toward the left ventricle during enddiastole.In patients with left ventricular volume overload, such as aortic regurgitation, the interventricular septum was deviated toward the right ventricle during diastole. Movement of the interventricular septum was also recorded in post-operative patients having a ventricular septal defect, atrial septal defect, mitral regurgitation, or aortic regurgitation. The interventricular septum was shifted toward the right ventricle during systole in this group of patients. From the above findings, the following conclusion was reached with regard to septal performance. Although the interventricular septum contracts as a part of the left ventricle in the contractile state, the septum is movable toward either direction by pressure or volume oppression from the opposite ventricle in the non-contractile state.