Cor triatriatum sinistrum: presentation of syncope and atrial tachycardia

Malcolm Avari1, Sunil Nair2, Zofia Kozlowska2

  • 1James Paget University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Great Yarmouth, UK.

BMJ Case Reports
|February 16, 2017
PubMed

Insights

A rare congenital heart defect, cor triatriatum sinistrum (CTS), can cause syncope and tachycardia. Surgical repair is the definitive treatment for this unusual cardiac anomaly.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Congenital Heart Disease

Background:

  • Cor triatriatum sinistrum (CTS) is a rare congenital cardiac anomaly characterized by an intra-atrial septum dividing the left atrium.
  • Diagnosis has increased due to advancements in imaging, with symptoms varying based on fenestration size.

Observation:

  • A 39-year-old male presented with syncope and narrow complex tachycardia.
  • Transesophageal echocardiography revealed CTS and an associated atrial septal defect (ASD).

Findings:

  • The patient's symptoms were attributed to CTS, a condition that can mimic mitral stenosis.
  • Surgical intervention, including CTS repair and ASD closure, was successfully performed.

Implications:

  • This case highlights CTS as an unusual cause of syncope and tachycardia.
  • Early diagnosis and surgical management are crucial for favorable outcomes in CTS patients.
  • CTS can occur in isolation or with other cardiac abnormalities, necessitating comprehensive evaluation.

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