Large congenital left atrial wall aneurysm: An updated and comprehensive review of the literature

Echocardiography. 2020 Jun;37(6):965-970. doi: 10.1111/echo.14687. Epub 2020 May 19.

Abstract

Background: Congenital left atrial wall aneurysms are rare abnormalities that arise from a developmental weakness in the muscular wall. It may be misdiagnosed or go undetected and the delay in diagnosis can lead to catastrophic consequences.

Case presentation: An updated and comprehensive review of the literature was performed for all patients with this abnormality under the age of 18. A total of 15 cases including ours are presented in this article. We present a 10-month-old boy who was referred to our center for cardiomegaly. Workup revealed a large atrial wall aneurysm that was successfully corrected with surgery.

Conclusion: Historically, left atrial aneurysms were uncommon in the absence of valvular heart disease or other cardiac conditions. Congenital aneurysms are rare phenomenon because they arise without an acquired cardiac disease and surgical correction is crucial for survival.

Keywords: aneurysm; congenital heart defects; left atrium.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Atrial Appendage*
  • Heart Aneurysm* / diagnostic imaging
  • Heart Aneurysm* / surgery
  • Heart Atria / diagnostic imaging
  • Heart Valve Diseases*
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Male
  • Referral and Consultation