Cor Triatriatum Dexter: Embryology, Presentation and Management

Area of Science:

• Congenital Cardiology
• Pediatric Cardiac Surgery
• Medical Diagnostics

Background:

• Cor triatriatum dexter (CTD) is a rare congenital cardiac anomaly.
• Clinical presentations range from neonatal hypoxemia to adult incidental diagnosis.
• Management strategies for CTD are not well-defined due to limited literature.

Purpose of the Study:

• To report a single-center series of four patients with CTD.
• To review clinical presentation, echocardiographic findings, surgical management, and outcomes.
• To evaluate the efficacy and safety of surgical repair for CTD.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective review of four pediatric patients diagnosed with CTD.
• Analysis of clinical data, echocardiographic findings, and surgical procedures.
• Assessment of postoperative outcomes and medium-term follow-up.

Main Results:

• All four neonates presented with hypoxemia and failed pulse oximetry screening.
• Echocardiography confirmed a redundant membrane consistent with CTD.
• Surgical repair was performed at an average of 21 days-of-life with short cardiopulmonary bypass times and hospital stays.

Conclusions:

• Surgical repair of CTD is feasible with favorable short-term outcomes.
• Patients experienced no cardiac symptoms at medium-term follow-up.
• An individualized approach to management is recommended, often favoring early surgical intervention.