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Usefulness of multidetector-row computed tomography in evaluating adult cor triatriatum

Chieh-Shou Su1, I-Chen Tsai, Wei-Wen Lin

  • 1Cardiovascular Center, Taichung Veteran General Hospital, Taichung 407, Taiwan.

Texas Heart Institute Journal
|October 23, 2008
PubMed

Insights

Cor triatriatum, a rare heart defect, involves a membrane dividing the left atrium. Multidetector-row computed tomography aids in its diagnosis and pre-operative assessment.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Medical Imaging
  • Congenital Heart Disease

Background:

  • Cor triatriatum is a rare congenital cardiac anomaly characterized by a fibromuscular membrane dividing the left atrium into two chambers.
  • Symptoms such as dyspnea, hemoptysis, and orthopnea often mimic mitral stenosis, complicating diagnosis.

Observation:

  • A 39-year-old woman presented with progressive dyspnea.
  • Transthoracic and transesophageal echocardiography diagnosed cor triatriatum.
  • A 3-dimensional multidetector-row computed tomography (MDCT) scan provided detailed visualization of the intra-atrial membrane and fenestration.

Findings:

  • MDCT clearly delineated the intra-atrial membrane and its communicating fenestration.
  • The MDCT study also allowed for comprehensive coronary and whole-heart evaluation.
  • Echocardiography confirmed the diagnosis of cor triatriatum.

Implications:

  • Multidetector-row computed tomography serves as a valuable adjunct to echocardiography for cor triatriatum.
  • MDCT facilitates detailed pre-operative assessment, including whole-heart evaluation.
  • This imaging modality enhances surgical planning for cor triatriatum repair.

Keywords:
Cor triatriatum/diagnosisheart atria/abnormalitiesheart defects, congenital/diagnosishypertension, pulmonarytomography, X-ray computed

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