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.
Abstract:
Cor triatriatum sinister is a rare congenital heart anomaly. We present an elderly patient with cor polyatriatum, which is a variant of cor triatriatum. The patient was admitted to our hospital with symptoms of congestive heart failure. Echocardiographic evaluation revealed that the left atrium was divided into three spaces of the fibromuscular membrane, resembling a railway. Diagnosis was confirmed by cardiac magnetic resonance imaging. The patient did not accept surgical treatment and was followed medically.
Related Concept Videos
Cardiomyopathy I: Introduction and Classification
Cardiomyopathy III: Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy
ECG Interpretation of Arrhythmias II: Atrial, Junctional and Ventricular Arrhythmias
Coronary Circulation
Coronary circulation begins at the base of the aorta, where two main arteries arise—the left and right coronary arteries. These arteries encircle the heart in the coronary sulcus and supply the...
Dysrhythmias III: Characteristics of Dysrhythmias
Cardiomyopathy IV: Restrictive Cardiomyopathy


