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Transesophageal echocardiographic detection of cardiac embolic source in cor triatriatum complicated by aortic saddle
1Department of Internal Medicine, Father Fox Memorial Hospital, Tainan, Taiwan, R.O.C.
Clinical Cardiology
|March 1, 1997
Insights
Transesophageal echocardiography revealed spontaneous echo contrast in a patient with cor triatriatum and atrial fibrillation, identifying the left atrium as the source of cerebral and aortic emboli.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Medical Imaging
Background:
- Cor triatriatum is a rare congenital heart anomaly characterized by an anomalous intra-atrial septum.
- Atrial fibrillation is a common arrhythmia that can lead to thromboembolic complications.
Observation:
- A case of cor triatriatum with concurrent atrial fibrillation presented with significant embolic events.
- Transesophageal echocardiography was utilized for detailed cardiac assessment.
Findings:
- Spontaneous echo contrast was observed within the dilated proximal chamber of the left atrium.
- This echo contrast was identified as the presumed source of both cerebral and aortic saddle emboli.
Implications:
- This case highlights the diagnostic utility of transesophageal echocardiography in identifying embolic sources in complex cardiac conditions.
- Understanding the embolic potential in cor triatriatum is crucial for patient management and stroke prevention.
Abstract:
Transesophageal echocardiographic findings are described in a case of cor triatriatum with atrial fibrillation complicated with cerebral and aortic saddle emboli. A spontaneous echo contrast confined to the dilated proximal chamber of the left atrium was noted and was presumed to be the embolic source in cor triatriatum.