[Aneurysm of the interatrial septum. Apropos of a retrospective study of 41 cases]
M P Douchet1, A Verdun, T Carrière
1Service de cardiologie, Hôpital civil, hôpitaux universitaires de Strasbourg.
Insights
Atrial septal aneurysm (ASA) patients with cerebrovascular events were older and had more cardiac issues, but the direct link to ASA was unclear. Careful investigation and management are advised.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Neurology
- Echocardiography
Context:
- Retrospective study of 41 patients with diagnosed atrial septal aneurysm (ASA).
- Transesophageal echocardiography was performed for ischemic cerebrovascular events in 26 cases.
- Investigated the association between ASA and cerebrovascular accidents (CVAs).
Purpose:
- To evaluate the characteristics of patients with ASA and CVAs.
- To determine the relationship between ASA and CVAs.
- To guide diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for patients with ASA and CVAs.
Summary:
- Patients with CVAs and ASA were older, had more cardiovascular risk factors, and experienced more cardiac arrhythmias.
- Arrhythmias were often linked to other cardiac conditions like ventricular hypertrophy or cor pulmonale.
- The direct causal link between ASA and CVAs was identified in only 11 cases, suggesting other contributing factors.
Impact:
- Highlights the need for careful diagnostic workup in patients with ASA and CVAs.
- Suggests that ASA may not be the sole cause of CVAs in many cases.
- Emphasizes the importance of individualized therapeutic management considering multiple cardiovascular factors.
Abstract:
The authors undertook a retrospective study of 41 patients in whom an atrial septal aneurysm (ASA) had been diagnosed at transoesophageal echocardiography performed for ischaemic cerebrovascular events in 26 cases. No significant differences in this size, thickness or mobility of the ASA or the associated cardiac abnormalities were demonstrated in this context. However, patients presenting with cerebrovascular accidents were older, had several cardiovascular risk factors and more cardiac arrhythmias. These arrhythmias were usually related to other cardiac pathology such as ventricular hypertrophy or chronic cor pulmonale. Moreover, the probability of the cerebrovascular accident being related to the ASA was only acknowledged in 11 cases. These results mean a certain degree of discretion in diagnostic investigation and therapeutic management of these cases.
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