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Updated: Jan 14, 2026

Echocardiographic Evaluation of Atrial Communications before Transcatheter Closure
Published on: February 8, 2022
Left Atrial Dissection After Mitral and Aortic Valve Replacement: The Importance of Early Diagnosis of a Rare Entity
Despoina Sarridou1, Sophia Anastasia Mouratoglou2, Rafail Ioannidis3
1Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care, AHEPA University Hospital of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece.
Insights
Left atrial dissection, a rare surgical complication, can be managed conservatively. Prompt diagnosis via perioperative echocardiography is crucial for effective, non-surgical intervention in patients with hemodynamic instability.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Surgery
- Cardiac Anesthesia
- Echocardiography
Background:
- Left atrial dissection is a rare but serious surgical complication, occurring in approximately 0.16% of cardiac surgeries.
- It involves the formation of a cavity between the endocardial and epicardial layers of the left atrium.
- Often a consequence of procedures involving the mitral valve, such as valve replacement.
Abstract:
Background and Clinical Significance: Left atrial dissection is a rare surgical complication (occurring in 0.16% of cases), which results in the formation of a large cavity between the endocardium and the epicardium. Case Presentation: We report a case of a 78-year-old man who underwent combined aortic and mitral valve replacement. Extensive debridement of the calcified mitral annulus most probably precipitated the formation of a dissection flap detected by transesophageal echocardiography after protamine administration. Profound hypotension and hemodynamic instability were treated with inotropic and vasopressor support and fluid administration without any further surgical intervention. Conclusions: The patient recovered uneventfully under conservative management, highlighting the importance of perioperative echocardiography for prompt diagnosis and tailored intervention.
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