Echocardiographic diagnosis of juxtaposition of atrial appendage / 中华超声影像学杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To study the value of echoeardiography for diagnosis of juxtaposition of atrial appendage(JAA) and to discuss its features. Methods Eehocardiographic characteristics of JAA in nine cases were compared with results of cardiac catheterization and operation. The diagnostic features of echocardiography were summarized. Results Seven cases had juxtaposition of left atrial appendage and two had juxtaposition of right atrial appendage. The nine cases were all associated with severe congenital heart disease and the most frequent malformations observed with JAA were double outlet right ventricle, transposition of great artery, single ventricle and so on. Direct visualization of the JAA in the parasternal short-axis view at the base of the heart and visualization of an unusual transverse orientation of the atrial septum were the most features of JAA. Echocardiographie characteristics of JAA cases were correspondent to the results of cardiac catheterization and operation. Conclusions There is high accuracy by echocardiography to diagnosis JAA. JAA should be alerted in severe congenital heart disease.