Incidentally Found, Growing Congenital Aneurysm of the Left Atrium
Journal of Korean Medical Science
;
: 262-266, 2003.
Article
in English
| WPRIM
| ID: wpr-210103
ABSTRACT
A left atrial aneurysm is a very rare cardiac anomaly that usually develops in the left atrial appendage. It usually develops congenitally, and has a risk of life-threatening complications. Here, we report a case of a growing aneurysm of the left atrium that was incidentally found in a 42-yr-old woman. Eighteen years prior, an abnormal cardiomegaly was found on a chest radiography for a pre-operative study. The chest radiography at this time demonstrated a more prominent cardiomegaly than the previous radiography findings. The left atrial aneurysm was diagnosed by echocardiography and cardiac catheterization. Although asymptomatic, she underwent a successful surgical excision to allay the possibilities of rupture, arrhythmia, heart failure, or thromboembolism. The surgical findings demonstrated an 8 x 15 cm sized saccular aneurysm at the left atrial appendage, and the pathologic findings showed three myocardial layers. The patient has been asymptomatic during the 15 months of follow-up. In conclusion, a congenital left atrial aneurysm can grow with time, even in asymptomatic cases, and an aneurysmectomy is a curative treatment, which can eliminate the potential complications.
Full text:
Available
Index:
WPRIM (Western Pacific)
Main subject:
Echocardiography
/
Heart Aneurysm
/
Heart Atria
Limits:
Adult
/
Female
/
Humans
Language:
English
Journal:
Journal of Korean Medical Science
Year:
2003
Type:
Article
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