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Updated: May 4, 2026

Echocardiographic Evaluation of Atrial Communications before Transcatheter Closure
Published on: February 8, 2022
Coronary sinus to left atrium communication
Almamoon Justaniah1, Brady Mckee1, Jonathan Silver2
1Department of Radiology, Lahey Hospital & Medical Center, Tufts University School of Medicine, Burlington, Massachusetts, USA.
Insights
We report a rare case of an isolated coronary sinus anomaly connecting to the left atrium. This coronary sinus communication can have significant clinical implications, particularly in cases of heart failure or atrial fibrillation.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Vascular Anomalies
- Cardiac Surgery
Background:
- Coronary sinus anomalies are infrequent congenital conditions.
- These anomalies can occur independently or alongside other vascular abnormalities, like a persistent left superior vena cava.
- Understanding these variations is crucial for accurate diagnosis and treatment planning.
Abstract:
Coronary sinus anomalies are rare. They can be associated with other vascular anomalies such as persistent left superior vena cava or can occur in isolation. We present a rare case of an isolated coronary sinus communication to the left atrium. This anomaly may be clinically relevant in the setting of significant left-to-right shunting or when shunt reversal results from right-sided heart failure. It may also be significant in cases of persistent atrial fibrillation after attempted pulmonary vein isolation.
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