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Atrial septal aneurysm in infancy
I Shiraishi1, K Hamaoka, S Hayashi
1Division of Pediatric Medicine, Children's Research Hospital, Kyoto, Japan.
Insights
Infantile atrial septal aneurysms (ASAs) often accompany atrial septal defects (ASDs). These aneurysms frequently lead to spontaneous ASD closure and tend to regress over time in infants.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Cardiology
- Echocardiography
- Congenital Heart Defects
Background:
- Atrial septal aneurysms (ASAs) are an uncommon finding in infants.
- Their association with atrial septal defects (ASDs) and natural progression require further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize the features of ASAs in infants.
- To evaluate the natural course and outcomes of ASAs in this population.
Main Methods:
- Two-dimensional (2D) echocardiography was used for initial diagnosis of ASAs.
- 2D Doppler echocardiography was employed to study the characteristics and natural course of ASAs.
Main Results:
- Thirteen infants with ASAs were identified.
- ASAs were associated with ASDs or other cardiac malformations in 12/13 patients.
- Spontaneous closure of ASDs by aneurysmal formation was observed in 10 patients.
- ASAs showed moderate size reduction (mean 18 months) and 10 disappeared over time.
Conclusions:
- Infantile ASAs are often linked to ASDs, with a tendency for spontaneous closure.
- ASAs in infants demonstrate regression and potential disappearance as the child grows.
Abstract:
Thirteen infants were found to have atrial septal aneurysms (ASAs) on two-dimensional (2D) echocardiography and their characteristics and natural course have been studied by 2D Doppler echocardiography. Atrial septal aneurysm was accompanied by atrial septal defect (ASD) or other cardiac malformations in 12 of 13 patients, and as an isolated anomaly in one patient. Spontaneous closure of ASD by aneurysmal formation of the interatrial septum was observed in 10 patients. The aneurysms of all 13 patients showed a moderate reduction in size, 14 to 25 months (mean 18 months), after these aneurysms had been first diagnosed and 10 subsequently disappeared. It is likely that ASA occurring in infancy will develop in patients with spontaneous closure of an ASD, and that such an aneurysm has a tendency to regress as the patient grows up.