Congenital giant left atrial appendage aneurysm: a case report

Yan Chen1, Yun Mou1, Li-Jun Jiang2

  • 1Echocardiography and Vascular Ultrasound Center, The First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.

Insights

Congenital left atrial appendage aneurysm (LAAA) is a rare condition. Surgical resection is often recommended, but clinical monitoring may be suitable for asymptomatic patients without complications.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Congenital Heart Disease

Background:

  • Congenital left atrial appendage aneurysm (LAAA) is a rare cardiac anomaly.
  • It can lead to serious complications like thromboembolism, atrial tachyarrhythmia, and cardiac dysfunction.
  • Early surgical intervention is typically advised.

Observation:

  • A case of a giant congenital LAAA in a female patient is presented.
  • The patient successfully completed pregnancy and underwent a caesarean section without complications.
  • Surgical resection was performed three years later due to chest pain from cardiac structure compression.

Findings:

  • Surgical resection is recommended for most LAAA patients due to severe outcome risks.
  • Clinical monitoring is a potential strategy for asymptomatic individuals without thrombus or other issues.
  • Echocardiography and brain MRI are crucial for LAAA management.

Implications:

  • This case highlights the management of congenital LAAA during pregnancy.
  • It suggests that conservative management may be viable for select asymptomatic patients.
  • Accurate diagnostic imaging is vital for informed clinical decisions regarding LAAA.
Abstract

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