New-onset cardiac mass due to left atrial appendage inversion during cardiac surgery

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Cardiac Surgery
• Echocardiography

Background:

• Intraoperative cardiac mass assessment poses significant challenges.
• Accurate diagnosis is crucial for patient management during cardiac procedures.

Observation:

• A 22-year-old woman developed a new left atrial mass during cardiopulmonary bypass after ventricular septal defect repair.
• The mass was identified using intraoperative echocardiography.

Findings:

• The left atrial appendage was identified as the source of the acute left atrial mass.
• This represents a rare etiology for intraoperative cardiac masses.

Implications:

• Highlights the importance of intraoperative echocardiography in diagnosing cardiac masses.
• Raises awareness of the left atrial appendage as a potential, albeit rare, cause of acute left atrial masses.
• Informs surgical and diagnostic strategies for intraoperative cardiac mass identification.