Cor-triatriatum with atrial septal defect and bicuspid aortic valve diagnosed by cross-sectional echocardiography

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Medical Diagnostics
• Congenital Heart Disease

Background:

• Cor-triatriatum is a rare congenital heart anomaly where the left atrium is divided into two chambers.
• Atrial septal defects (ASDs) are common congenital heart conditions, with secundum ASD being the most frequent type.
• Bicuspid aortic valve is a congenital defect affecting the aortic valve structure.

Observation:

• A rare case presented with the co-occurrence of cor-triatriatum, a large secundum atrial septal defect, and a bicuspid aortic valve.
• Cross-sectional echocardiography was utilized for diagnosis.
• An abnormal defect was identified between the proximal (accessory) left atrial chamber and the right atrium.

Findings:

• The defect between the accessory left atrial chamber and the right atrium effectively de-compressed the accessory chamber.
• A large left-to-right shunt was present, indicating abnormal blood flow.
• The significant shunt led to the development of severe pulmonary arterial hypertension.

Implications:

• This case highlights the importance of comprehensive echocardiographic evaluation in diagnosing complex congenital heart anomalies.
• Understanding the hemodynamic consequences of combined defects like cor-triatriatum and ASD is crucial for patient management.
• The findings underscore the potential for severe pulmonary hypertension in cases with significant left-to-right shunting in the context of these rare cardiac malformations.