Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 20, 2026

Echocardiographic Evaluation of Atrial Communications before Transcatheter Closure
07:41

Echocardiographic Evaluation of Atrial Communications before Transcatheter Closure

Published on: February 8, 2022

Fatty lesions of the atria and interatrial septum

Kristopher S Cunningham1, John P Veinot, Christopher M Feindel

  • 1Department of Pathology, University Health Network, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5G 2C4.

Human Pathology
|September 5, 2006
PubMed

Insights

Cardiac lipomatous lesions in the atria are uncommon but can cause serious issues like arrhythmias. Accurate diagnosis is key to avoid unnecessary surgeries for these fatty heart masses.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Cardiac Pathology
  • Medical Imaging

Background:

  • Lipomatous lesions of the heart, particularly in the atria and interatrial septum, are not widely recognized.
  • While often asymptomatic, extensive fatty infiltration or tumors can lead to significant clinical problems.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To describe the pathology of common cardiac lipomatous lesions.
  • To highlight diagnostic and management challenges, including radiographic and surgical considerations.

Main Methods:

  • Review of pathological findings in cardiac lipomatous lesions.
  • Analysis of radiographic characteristics and clinical presentations.
  • Discussion of surgical implications and potential misdiagnoses.

Main Results:

  • Lipomatous lesions can cause intractable arrhythmias, blood flow obstruction, and valvular disruption.
  • Radiological characterization can be challenging, potentially leading to misdiagnosis.
  • Benign or malignant lipomatous tumors may present as significant cardiac masses.

Conclusions:

  • Understanding the pathology of atrial lipomatous lesions is crucial for accurate diagnosis.
  • Careful radiological assessment and clinical correlation are necessary to guide management.
  • Avoiding unnecessary surgical interventions relies on precise characterization of these fatty cardiac masses.

More Related Videos

Microdissection and Immunofluorescence Staining of Myocardial Sleeves in Murine Pulmonary Veins08:52

Microdissection and Immunofluorescence Staining of Myocardial Sleeves in Murine Pulmonary Veins

Published on: November 21, 2023

Related Concept Videos

Layers of the Heart Wall01:15

Layers of the Heart Wall

The heart wall comprises three distinct layers: the epicardium, myocardium, and endocardium. The outermost layer, the epicardium, is the visceral layer of the serous pericardium, featuring a thin, transparent mesothelial surface and an inner layer of areolar connective tissue with fat deposits that increase with age.
The myocardium, the thickest layer, consists of cardiac muscle cells interconnected by intercalated discs and crisscrossing connective tissue fibers. These muscle fibers contract...
Chambers of the Heart01:16

Chambers of the Heart

The human heart is a complex organ made up of four chambers: the right and left atria and the right and left ventricles. These internal chambers are separated by partitions known as the interatrial and interventricular septa. The exterior of the heart features a groove known as the coronary sulcus that demarcates the atria from the ventricles, while the anterior and posterior interventricular sulci distinguish between the two ventricles.
Deoxygenated blood from the body is received in the right...
Rheumatic Heart Disease I: Introduction01:23

Rheumatic Heart Disease I: Introduction

Rheumatic heart disease or RHD is a chronic condition that results from rheumatic fever, causing permanent damage to the heart valves.Etiology and Risk FactorsIt primarily arises from rheumatic fever, an inflammatory disease that can develop after untreated or inadequately treated group A streptococcal (GAS) pharyngitis. Streptococcus spreads through direct contact with oral or respiratory secretions. While the bacteria are the causative agents, factors like malnutrition, overcrowding, poor...
Mitral Stenosis I: Introduction01:22

Mitral Stenosis I: Introduction

Mitral Valve Stenosis (MVS) is a heart condition where the mitral valve narrows, impeding blood circulation from the left atrium to the left ventricle. The etiology and pathophysiology of this condition are multifaceted, leading to a cascade of cardiovascular complications.Causes of Mitral Valve StenosisRheumatic Heart Disease: It is the main cause of mitral valve stenosis, particularly in developing nations. This condition arises from rheumatic fever, an inflammatory illness resulting from...
Mitral Stenosis II: Clinical features and Diagnostic Tests01:23

Mitral Stenosis II: Clinical features and Diagnostic Tests

Mitral stenosis is a heart condition in which the mitral valve, which allows blood to flow from the left atrium to the left ventricle, becomes narrowed or stenotic. This narrowing hinders blood flow and leads to clinical symptoms requiring specific medical evaluations and management strategies. The following overview outlines the clinical symptoms, assessments, diagnostic findings, prevention methods, and treatments for mitral stenosis.Clinical ManifestationsDyspnea (shortness of breath): This...
Cardiomyopathy III: Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy01:29

Cardiomyopathy III: Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, or HCM, is an autosomal dominant genetic disorder characterized by asymmetric left ventricular hypertrophy without ventricular dilation. It is more common in men and is typically diagnosed in young, athletic adults.EtiologyHCM is primarily genetic and is caused by mutations in genes encoding sarcomeric proteins. Researchers have identified over 1400 mutations across at least 11 different genes. Among these, the most frequently occurring mutations are found in the...