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Masked atrial septal defect in constrictive pericarditis
T Kanda1, F Naganuma, T Suzuki
1Second Department of Internal Medicine, Gunma University School of Medicine, Maebashi, Japan.
Insights
Diagnosing rare atrial septal defects (ASD) masked by constrictive pericarditis (CP) is challenging. This case highlights successful diagnosis using advanced imaging and cardiac catheterization, followed by surgical repair.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Medical Imaging
- Cardiac Surgery
Background:
- Atrial septal defect (ASD) and constrictive pericarditis (CP) co-occurrence is rare.
- Clinical presentation of ASD can be obscured by CP, complicating diagnosis.
Abstract:
The combination of an atrial septal defect (ASD) and constrictive pericarditis (CP) is rare and difficult to diagnose, since the signs of ASD may be masked by those of CP. We report a patient in whom the diagnosis was made by color Doppler echocardiography and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and confirmed by cardiac catheterization. Open heart surgery was successfully performed to close the defect.