Cor Triatriatum: Case Report of Emergency Department Diagnosis

Camille Halfman1, Asalim Thabet1, Rebecca Blue1

  • 1SUNY Upstate Medical University, Department of Emergency Medicine, Syracuse, New York.

Insights

Cor triatriatum, a rare congenital heart defect, can mimic asthma in older children. Delayed diagnosis requires considering rare conditions when common treatments fail.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Pediatric Cardiology
  • Congenital Heart Disease

Background:

  • Cor triatriatum is a rare congenital heart anomaly characterized by an intra-atrial septum dividing the left atrium.
  • In rare cases, diagnosis is delayed beyond infancy, leading to atypical presentations.

Observation:

  • A pediatric patient with a prior asthma diagnosis presented with persistent wheezing unresponsive to standard asthma treatment.
  • The patient's symptoms mimicked reactive airway disease, delaying definitive diagnosis.

Findings:

  • Cor triatriatum sinister was diagnosed via advanced imaging in an older child.
  • This case highlights the challenge of diagnosing congenital heart defects presenting in later childhood.

Implications:

  • Emergency physicians should consider rare cardiac anomalies in pediatric patients with refractory wheezing.
  • Early recognition and diagnosis of cor triatriatum are crucial for appropriate management and improved outcomes.

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