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Updated: Jul 11, 2026
07:41
Echocardiographic Evaluation of Atrial Communications before Transcatheter Closure
Published on: February 8, 2022
Atrial septal defect with ascites and pleural effusion.
Hee-Hwa Ho1, Elaine Chau, Alex Chiu
1Division of Cardiology, University Department of Medicine, Grantham Hospital, Hong Kong, China.
Asian Cardiovascular & Thoracic Annals
|October 4, 2007
Summary
This case report details a patient with an atrial septal defect who developed ascites and pleural effusion due to constrictive physiology. Surgical repair of the defect and pericardiectomy resolved these symptoms.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Thoracic Surgery
Background:
- Atrial septal defects (ASDs) can rarely present with atypical symptoms.
- Constrictive physiology can mimic other conditions, complicating diagnosis.
Observation:
- A female patient presented with insidious onset of recurrent ascites and pleural effusion.
- Cardiac catheterization revealed findings consistent with constrictive physiology.
Findings:
- The patient had an undiagnosed atrial septal defect (ASD).
- Surgical closure of the ASD and pericardiectomy were performed.
Implications:
- This case highlights the importance of considering cardiac causes for unexplained effusions.
- Timely diagnosis and surgical intervention for ASDs can prevent severe complications like constrictive physiology.
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