Enlargement of
left atrium (LA) is not infrequently observed in
patients with rheumatic
mitral stenosis. We recently met a
patient who had a giant LA associated with severe
mitral stenosis. The
right ventricle had almost collapsed due to compression by the LA.
Mitral valve surgery was performed for
mitral stenosis and the postoperative
course was uneventful. Thus, we suggest that clinicians should not delay corrective
surgery for severe
mitral stenosis solely on account of a huge LA.