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[Doppler echocardiography in cor triatriatum: apropos of 2 cases]
Insights
This study reveals a novel systolic flow pattern in the left atrium using Doppler echocardiography for diagnosing cor triatriatum. This finding aids in identifying the condition and assessing obstruction severity.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Medical Imaging
Background:
- Cor triatriatum is a rare congenital heart defect characterized by an abnormal division of the left atrium.
- Accurate diagnosis and assessment of obstruction are crucial for patient management.
Observation:
- Doppler-echocardiographic investigation of two cor triatriatum cases.
- Detailed analysis of echocardiographic and novel pulsed Doppler findings.
Findings:
- A previously undescribed positive systolic flow in the distal left atrium was observed using Doppler echocardiography from apical projections.
- This unique flow pattern is specific to cor triatriatum and not seen in other cardiac abnormalities.
Implications:
- Doppler flow studies of the left atrium can significantly aid in the echocardiographic diagnosis of cor triatriatum.
- These studies are valuable for differential diagnosis and evaluating the degree of membrane-level obstruction.
Abstract:
In this communication we present a Doppler-echocardiographic investigation on two cases of cor triatriatum. The echocardiographic features and the pulsed Doppler findings, which have not been published previously, are also discussed. When the Doppler sample volume is positioned in the distal camera of the left atrium from apical projections, a positive systolic flow is obtained. This finding has not been described, to our knowledge, in the cor triatriatum nor in any other cardiac abnormality. It is our thought that flow studies in the left atrium in cases of cor triatriatum can be a useful aid to the echocardiographic diagnosis of the anomaly. Doppler studies are also helpful in the differential diagnosis with other intracavitary images, and it is probably also useful in the assessment of the degree of obstruction at the membrane level.