Cor triatriatum: echocardiograhic findings.

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Medical Imaging
• Congenital Heart Disease

Background:

• Cor triatriatum is a rare congenital heart defect characterized by an intra-atrial septum dividing the left atrium.
• Accurate diagnosis is crucial for timely surgical intervention and improved patient outcomes.

Observation:

• Preoperative echocardiography revealed an anomalous membrane posterior to the mitral valve, exhibiting anterior motion during atrial systole.
• Associated findings included abnormal mitral valve motion, significant right ventricular and left atrial enlargement, and signs of pulmonary hypertension.

Findings:

• Postoperative echocardiography demonstrated the complete resolution of the anomalous membrane.
• The mitral valve function normalized, and dimensions of the left atrium and right ventricle decreased, indicating successful surgical correction.
• Pulmonary valve echogram also normalized, resolving previously observed pulmonary hypertension.

Implications:

• Echocardiography is a vital tool for diagnosing cor triatriatum and assessing surgical outcomes.
• Surgical correction of cor triatriatum effectively restores normal cardiac anatomy and function.
• Early diagnosis and intervention can significantly improve the prognosis for patients with cor triatriatum.