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Published on: February 8, 2022
Cor triatriatum dexter in an adult diagnosed by transesophageal echocardiography: a case report
A Dobbertin1, C A Warnes, J B Seward
1Division of Cardiovascular Diseases and Internal Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA.
Insights
Cor triatriatum dexter, a rare congenital heart defect, involves a right atrial division. Diagnosis in adults is challenging but achievable with advanced imaging, leading to successful surgical correction.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Congenital Heart Disease
- Medical Diagnostics
Background:
- Cor triatriatum dexter is a rare congenital heart malformation.
- It involves a persistent right sinus venosus valve dividing the right atrium.
- Historically, diagnosis before surgery or death was infrequent.
Observation:
- This case presents an adult with lifelong exertional cyanosis and dyspnea.
- The patient was diagnosed at 47 years of age.
- Associated congenital heart defects were also noted.
Findings:
- Definitive diagnosis was achieved using transesophageal echocardiography.
- Surgical intervention confirmed the echocardiographic findings.
- Successful correction of the cardiac defects was performed.
Implications:
- Highlights the utility of advanced echocardiography in diagnosing rare adult congenital heart defects.
- Demonstrates that surgical correction is a viable option for symptomatic adult patients.
- Emphasizes the importance of considering rare anomalies in patients with unexplained chronic symptoms.
Abstract:
Cor triatriatum dexter is a rare congenital heart malformation in which a persistent right sinus venosus valve divides the right atrium into two chambers. Before echocardiography, this anomaly has been rarely diagnosed before surgery or death. This is a case of cor triatriatum dexter in an adult with lifelong exertional cyanosis and dyspnea. A definitive diagnosis of cor triatriatum dexter with associated heart defects was best made by transesophageal echocardiography at 47 years of age. Subsequent surgical intervention confirmed all of the echocardiographic findings and successful correction of the defects was performed.
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