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Unusual case of new-onset heart failure due to cor triatriatum sinister

Ana Belén Méndez1, Teresa Colchero, Joan Garcia-Picart

  • 1Hospital de Sant Pau, Cardiology, Mas Casanovas, 90, Barcelona 08041, Spain. amendezfe@santpau.cat

European Journal of Heart Failure
|October 30, 2012
PubMed

Insights

A rare congenital heart defect, cor triatriatum sinister, can cause heart failure in adults. This case highlights successful percutaneous balloon dilatation as an alternative treatment.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Congenital Heart Disease
  • Cardiac Surgery

Background:

  • Cor triatriatum sinister is a rare congenital heart anomaly, affecting 0.1% of congenital heart disease cases.
  • It is seldom diagnosed in adult patients and can mimic severe mitral stenosis.
  • The condition involves a fibromuscular membrane dividing the left atrium into two chambers.

Observation:

  • A 30-year-old man presented with acute left heart failure.
  • Diagnosis revealed cor triatriatum sinister, a rare congenital defect.
  • The anomaly presented as a membrane obstructing pulmonary venous return.

Findings:

  • The fibromuscular membrane created two left atrial chambers with limited communication.
  • Obstructive membrane led to elevated venous and arterial pressures, causing heart failure.
  • Percutaneous balloon dilatation was performed as a treatment intervention.

Implications:

  • This case demonstrates the successful use of balloon dilatation for cor triatriatum sinister.
  • Percutaneous therapy offers a viable alternative to surgical excision for this rare anomaly.
  • Early diagnosis and intervention can improve outcomes for adult patients with cor triatriatum sinister.

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