A very rare case: Cor polyatriatum, a variant of cor triatriatum

Zafer Işılak1, Alptuğ Tokatlı, Omer Uz

  • 1Department of Cardiology Gülhane Military Medical Academy, Haydarpaşa Hospital, İstanbul, Turkey. drzaferisilak@gmail.com.

Insights

Cor triatriatum sinister, a rare congenital heart anomaly, can present in elderly patients. This case highlights cor polyatriatum, a variant diagnosed via echocardiography and cardiac MRI, managed medically.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Congenital Heart Disease
  • Cardiac Imaging

Background:

  • Cor triatriatum sinister is a rare congenital heart anomaly.
  • Cor polyatriatum is a rare variant of cor triatriatum.
  • Congestive heart failure can be a presenting symptom.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To present a case of cor polyatriatum in an elderly patient.
  • To illustrate diagnostic findings using echocardiography and cardiac MRI.
  • To discuss medical management in a patient refusing surgery.

Main Methods:

  • Case report of an elderly patient.
  • Echocardiography to visualize left atrial anatomy.
  • Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging for diagnostic confirmation.

Main Results:

  • The patient presented with congestive heart failure symptoms.
  • Echocardiography revealed a tri-partitioned left atrium by a fibromuscular membrane.
  • Cardiac MRI confirmed the diagnosis of cor polyatriatum.

Conclusions:

  • Cor polyatriatum can occur in elderly individuals.
  • Multimodality imaging is crucial for diagnosis.
  • Medical management is an option for patients declining surgery.

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