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Updated: Jun 5, 2026

Murine Echocardiography of Left Atrium, Aorta, and Pulmonary Artery
Published on: February 20, 2017
A giant left atrium in rheumatic mitral stenosis
Kyungil Park1, Hyung-Kwan Kim, Young-Bae Park
1Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Cardiovascular Center, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Korea.
Giant left atrium (LA) in severe mitral stenosis can compress the right ventricle. Corrective mitral valve surgery is recommended despite a huge LA, as demonstrated by a successful patient outcome.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Cardiac Surgery
- Rheumatic Heart Disease
Background:
- Enlargement of the left atrium (LA) is common in patients with rheumatic mitral stenosis.
- Giant LA can lead to significant complications, including right ventricular compression.
Purpose of the Study:
- To report a case of a patient with severe mitral stenosis and a giant LA causing right ventricular collapse.
- To emphasize the importance of timely surgical intervention for mitral stenosis, irrespective of LA size.
Main Methods:
- Case report of a patient with severe mitral stenosis and giant LA.
- Surgical intervention involving mitral valve repair/replacement.
- Postoperative monitoring and assessment.
Main Results:
- A patient presented with severe mitral stenosis and a giant LA.
- The giant LA caused near-complete collapse of the right ventricle.
- Successful mitral valve surgery was performed, with an uneventful postoperative recovery.
Conclusions:
- Severe mitral stenosis with a giant LA is a complex presentation.
- Surgical correction of mitral stenosis should not be deferred due to extreme LA enlargement.
- Prompt surgical intervention leads to favorable outcomes even in complex cases.
Related Concept Videos
Mitral Stenosis I: Introduction
Mitral Regurgitation I: Introduction
Mitral Stenosis II: Clinical features and Diagnostic Tests
Mitral Stenosis III: Medical Management
Rheumatic Heart Disease II: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Studies
Mitral Valve Prolapse I: Introduction

