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Thrombosis and infarction of the left atrial appendage in an infant: a case report
1Department of Pathology, University of New Mexico Hospital School of Medicine, Albuquerque.
Insights
A rare case of thrombosed and infarcted left atrial appendage occurred in a 28-day-old infant. This infant succumbed to pneumonia caused by Hemophilus influenzae, highlighting an unusual cardiac complication in neonates.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Cardiology
- Neonatal Pathology
- Cardiac Morphology
Background:
- Congenital abnormalities of the atrial appendages are uncommon.
- Acquired defects of the atrial appendages are also rare and often iatrogenic.
- Thrombosis and infarction of the left atrial appendage are not well-documented in infants.
Purpose of the Study:
- To present a unique case of a thrombosed and infarcted left atrial appendage in a neonate.
- To contribute to the understanding of rare cardiac pathologies in infants.
- To highlight potential complications in neonatal critical illness.
Main Methods:
- Case report presentation.
- Autopsy findings analysis.
- Review of relevant medical literature.
Main Results:
- A 28-day-old infant presented with pneumonia due to Hemophilus influenzae.
- The infant was found to have a thrombosed and infarcted left atrial appendage.
- No congenital cardiac abnormalities were specified as the primary cause.
Conclusions:
- Thrombosis and infarction of the left atrial appendage can occur in neonates, even without apparent congenital heart disease.
- Infectious processes, such as Hemophilus influenzae pneumonia, may be associated with such cardiac complications.
- This case underscores the importance of considering rare cardiac events in critically ill infants.
Abstract:
A case of thrombosed and infarcted left atrial appendage is presented. These findings occurred in a 28-day-old infant who died of pneumonia due to Hemophilus influenzae. Congenital abnormalities of the atrial appendages including hypoplasia, right and left isomerism and juxtapositions, and aneurysmal dilatations with and without pericardial defects are relatively uncommon. Acquired defects are also uncommon, and are often iatrogenic in nature. This report describes the case of a thrombosed and infarcted left atrial appendage in a 28-day-old infant.