Left atrial appendage aneurysm in pediatrics

Left atrial appendage aneurysm (LAAA) is a rare cardiac anomaly with potentially life-threatening complications of atrial tachyarrhythmias and systemic thromboembolism. It is often diagnosed incidentally and rarely during childhood. Echocardiography is considered the primary method of LAAA diagnosis; in particular, the subxiphoid view is more useful in pediatrics. Surgical intervention and drug management are recommended to prevent potentially lethal complications. Herein, we report five cases of patients with LAAA during infancy and childhood, caused by both congenital and acquired conditions. One patient underwent surgical resection through left lateral thoracotomy without cardiopulmonary bypass and another patient underwent drug management.