Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 15, 2026

Echocardiographic Evaluation of Atrial Communications before Transcatheter Closure
Published on: February 8, 2022
Symptomatic 10-year-old with a large right atrial aneurysm and a secundum atrial septal defect: a case report
Herbert Ariaka1, Aisha Nakato2, Twalib Aliku2,3
1Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Uganda Heart Institute, P.O. Box 37392, Kampala, Uganda. herbertariaka@yahoo.co.uk.
Background:
Right atrial aneurysms are rare. If left untreated, they can result in arrhythmias, heart failure, catastrophic rupture, and thromboembolic phenomena.
Case Presentation:
We present the case of a 10-year-old African female who presented with heart failure. The patient underwent successful open-heart surgery to close the atrial septal defect, resect the right atrial aneurysm, and directly close it. Initial peripheral cannulation was performed to decompress the heart, allowing for a safe sternotomy before transitioning to aorto-bicaval cannulation.
Conclusion:
Surgery remains the best option for managing this condition.
Related Concept Videos
Cardiomyopathy III: Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy
Aortic Regurgitation II: Clinical Features and Diagnostic Tests
Mitral Stenosis II: Clinical features and Diagnostic Tests
Aneurysm III: Interprofessional Care
Mitral Stenosis I: Introduction
Aneurysm I: Introduction

