Health Dictionary
Reliable, easy-to-read patient information on common medical conditions — written in plain language, free of jargon, and grounded in current evidence. Browse the most frequent diagnoses, understand what they mean for everyday life, and learn which steps and questions help you have a focused conversation with your doctor.
Bidirectional shunt
Introduction
A bidirectional shunt is a cardiac shunt which allows, or is designed to cause, blood to flow freely between the right heart and the left heart. This occurs when:
- there is an opening or passage between the atria, ventricles, and/or great vessels; and,
- right and left heart pressures are approximately equal.
Editor-In-Chief: Template:WikiDoc Cardiology News C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]