Giant left atrial aneurysm

Congenital aneurysmal dilatation of the left atrium is a rare anomaly that could be associated with supraventricular arrhythmias and life-threatening systemic embolization. We describe a 32-year-old man with a giant left atrial aneurysm diagnosed with new imaging modalities that underwent surgical resection with good results. <Learning objective: Left atrial aneurysms are rare and characterized by their origin from an otherwise normal atrium, a clearly defined communication with the atrial cavity, and their intrapericardial location. Because of associated complications, early diagnosis and surgical excision are mandatory even in asymptomatic, otherwise healthy patients. The evaluations with cardiac imaging techniques should be considered in any patient with an unexplained abnormality on the chest radiograph or initial echocardiography.>.