Cor Triatriatum Can Coexist With Common Pulmonary Venous Atresia

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Pediatric Surgery
• Congenital Heart Disease

Background:

• Common pulmonary venous atresia is a rare congenital heart defect causing cyanosis in newborns.
• Surgical intervention is critical for survival, typically involving anastomosis of the common pulmonary venous chamber to the left atrium.

Observation:

• A neonate with severe cyanosis underwent urgent surgery for common pulmonary venous atresia.
• Postoperative pulmonary hypertension worsened despite initial successful anastomosis.
• Computed tomography revealed a residual cor triatriatum, missed during the initial surgery.

Findings:

• The residual cor triatriatum was located superior to the diaphragm within the left atrium, leading to its omission during the initial atriotomy.
• Surgical revision to address the residual cor triatriatum resulted in the complete resolution of pulmonary hypertension.

Implications:

• This case highlights the importance of meticulous intraoperative assessment to avoid overlooking complex intracardiac anomalies.
• Accurate diagnosis and complete surgical correction of cor triatriatum are crucial for managing pulmonary hypertension in patients with common pulmonary venous atresia.
• Timely surgical revision can lead to favorable outcomes in complex congenital heart disease.