Clinical Presentation, Diagnosis, and Management of Idiopathic Enlargement of the Right Atrium: An Analysis Based on Systematic Review of 153 Reported Cases

Idiopathic enlargement of the right atrium masking left atrial aneurysm in a neonate

An idiopathic enlargement of the right atrium is an extremely rare cardiac malformation. There are no established guidelines for the management of this disease, especially concerning medical versus surgical therapeutic approach and the timing for an operation. We report in this case about a neonate that first was treated conservatively until the age of 5 month and finally got an operative resection of the aneurysm. After surgery, unexpected complications occurred. A second aneurysm in the left atrium was demasked. Furthermore, a progressive dilatation of both atrial chambers after resection required regular follow-up and ongoing evaluation of treatment.

The right atrial auricle-Worthy of a new look

INTRODUCTION

The right atrium is the least well studied cardiac chamber. Even less is known about the right atrial appendage (RAA). Recently, the RAA has been shown to be the site of numerous and diverse pathological processes. Furthermore, the RAA can also be the site of origin of atrial fibrillation with obvious implications for ablation procedures. No standard method of transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) for imaging of the RAA can be found in current literature, despite numerous reports for transesophageal echocardiography (TEE).

PURPOSE OF THIS STUDY

The purpose of this study was to determine if a reliable transthoracic window could be found for consistent and reliable imaging of the RAA.

METHOD

30 patients (15 men and 15 women) were included into this study. All patients were placed in the left lateral decubitus position and echocardiography was performed with a Vivid E9 ultrasound system (GE Healthcare). The RAA was visualized by tilting the probe infero-medially from the standard apical four chamber view.

RESULTS

The RAA was visualized in all 30 patients. The RAA followed a consistent upwards and leftwards path anterior to the aortic root.

CONCLUSION

TTE is a valid method of imaging of the RAA.

Surgical repair of a giant congenital right atrial aneurysm concomitant with Wolff‐Parkinson‐White syndrome: A case report and literature review

Congenital right atrial aneurysms (RAA) have a wide range of clinical presentations and leads to various complications. Depending on the initial presentation and associated complications, a conservative or surgical approach may be considered. A patient suffering from a giant RAA associated with the Wolff‐Parkinson‐White syndrome, who underwent successful surgical treatment, is presented here.