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Updated: Oct 13, 2026

Microsurgical Clip Obliteration of Middle Cerebral Aneurysm Using Intraoperative Flow Assessment
Published on: September 25, 2009
[Atrial septal aneurysm with cerebral ischemia: potential pathogenetic role of associated cerebral vascular
P Nardi1, A Scafuri, F Bertoldo
1Cattedra di Cardiochirurgia, Università degli Studi Tor Vergata, Roma.
Insights
Atrial septal aneurysm may be linked to cerebrovascular malformations, potentially causing strokes. A conservative medical approach is recommended when both conditions coexist.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Neurology
- Medical Imaging
Background:
- Atrial septal aneurysm is linked to cardiovascular diseases and cerebrovascular events.
- Echocardiography has increased the detection of atrial septal aneurysms, suggesting a potential risk for cerebral ischemia.
- The exact pathophysiological mechanism connecting atrial septal aneurysm and cerebral ischemia remains unclear.
Observation:
- A 33-year-old male presented with atrial septal aneurysm and a history of cerebrovascular events.
- Magnetic resonance imaging identified a cerebrovascular malformation.
- Transesophageal echocardiography confirmed the atrial septal aneurysm.
Findings:
- A common etiopathogenetic pathway may underlie both cardiac and cerebrovascular anomalies.
- Cerebrovascular malformations may independently cause cerebral ischemic events.
- The coexistence of atrial septal aneurysm and cerebrovascular malformation was observed in this patient.
Implications:
- A conservative medical approach may be the preferred treatment for patients with both atrial septal aneurysm and cerebrovascular malformation.
- Further research is needed to elucidate the shared etiological factors.
- This case highlights the importance of considering cerebrovascular anomalies in patients with atrial septal aneurysm.
Abstract:
Atrial septal aneurysm can be associated with other cardiovascular diseases such as atrial septal defect, patent ductus arteriosus, pulmonary hypertension and cerebrovascular events (transient ischemic attack or stroke). The introduction of transthoracic and more recently transesophageal echocardiography allowed for a more frequent observation of this pathology and also suggested that atrial septal aneurysm is a risk factor for cerebral ischemia. However, the pathophysiological pathway is still unclear. In January 1997 a 33-year-old man was admitted to our hospital because of atrial septal aneurysm and a previous cerebrovascular event. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed a cerebrovascular malformation and transesophageal echocardiography confirmed the presence of atrial septal aneurysm. We hypothesize that a common etiopathogenetic pathway may cause both the cardiac and cerebrovascular anomaly and that the latter may be responsible alone for cerebral ischemic events; thus in the presence of an atrial septal aneurysm associated with a cerebrovascular malformation, a conservative medical approach may be the treatment of choice.
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