Cor triatriatum in an 86-year-old woman: initial presentation with pulmonary hypertension discovered during

A A Akintunde1

  • 1Department of Cardiology and Angiology, Eberhard-Karls-University, Otfried-Müller-Strasse 10, Tübingen 72074, Germany. iakintunde2@yahoo.com

Singapore Medical Journal
|October 20, 2011
PubMed

Insights

Cor triatriatum, a rare congenital heart defect, can cause pulmonary hypertension even in adults. This case highlights its discovery in an 86-year-old woman during routine checks.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Congenital Heart Disease
  • Adult Congenital Heart Disease

Background:

  • Cor triatriatum is a rare congenital heart malformation involving atrial septation.
  • It is typically diagnosed in childhood, with adult cases being uncommon.
  • Complication with pulmonary hypertension increases mortality risk.

Observation:

  • An 86-year-old woman presented with World Health Organization Group 2 pulmonary hypertension.
  • The condition was identified during preoperative evaluation.
  • Echocardiography revealed a membrane dividing the left atrium.

Findings:

  • Doppler studies indicated abnormal flow patterns mimicking mitral stenosis.
  • The right ventricle showed dilation and reduced long axis function.
  • This suggests significant hemodynamic impact from the atrial membrane.

Implications:

  • This case underscores the importance of considering cor triatriatum in adult patients with unexplained pulmonary hypertension.
  • Early diagnosis and management are crucial for improving outcomes in adult congenital heart disease.
  • Further research into adult cor triatriatum presentations is warranted.

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