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Eur J Cardiothorac Surg 2006;29:S61-S68
© 2006 Elsevier Science NL

Review

The helical ventricular myocardial band of Torrent-Guasp: potential implications in congenital heart defects

Antonio F. Corno ^{a , _*} , Mladen J. Kocica ^b , Francisco Torrent-Guasp ^{c ,}

^a Alder Hey Royal Children Hospital, Eaton Road, Liverpool L12 2AP, UK
^b Institute for Cardiovascular Diseases, UC Clinical Centre of Serbia, Belgrade, Serbia and Montenegro
^c Denia, Spain

Received 17 February 2006; accepted 27 February 2006.

^_* Corresponding author. Tel.: +44 151 2525713; fax: +44 151 2525643. (Email: Antonio.Corno{at}rlc.nhs.uk).

The new concepts of cardiac anatomy and physiology, based on the observations made by Francisco Torrent-Guasp's discovery of the helical ventricular myocardial band, can be useful in the context of the surgical strategies currently used to manage patients with congenital heart defects. The potential impact of the Torrent-Guasp's Heart on congenital heart defects have been analyzed in the following settings: ventriculo-arterial discordance (transposition of the great arteries), double (atrio-ventricular and ventriculo-arterial) discordance (congenitally corrected transposition of the great arteries), Ebstein's anomaly, pulmonary valve regurgitation after repair of tetralogy of Fallot, Ross operation, and complex intra-ventricular malformations. The functional interaction of right and left ventricles occurs not only through their arrangements in series but also thanks to the structural spiral features. Changes in size and function of either ventricle may influence the performance of the other ventricle. The variety and complexity of congenital heart defects make the recognition of the relationship between form and function a vital component, especially when compared to acquired disease. The new concepts of cardiac anatomy and function proposed by Francisco Torrent-Guasp, based on his observations, should stimulate further investigations of alternative surgical strategies by individuals involved with the management of patients with congenital heart defects.

Key Words: Helical ventricular myocardial band • Cardiac embryology • Tetralogy of Fallot • Pulmonary valve regurgitation • Ventriculo-arterial discordance

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