The Operative Problem of Small Left Atrium in Total Anomalous Pulmonary Venous Connection: Report of 5 Patients

A moderately small left atrium is a common finding in total anomalous pulmonary venous connection (TAPVC). In most patients in whom the common pulmonary vein is anastomosed to the left atrium, the small size of this chamber does not interfere with good operative results. Recently a patient was encountered in whom the left atrium measured less than 2 cm in its greatest dimension. This atrium was too small to take an anastomosis with the common pulmonary vein. Therefore the common pulmonary vein was anastomosed primarily to the right atrium, the floor of the fossa ovalis was excised, and a pericardial conduit was constructed. Subsequently, 4 additional patients have been similarly treated. The problem of small left atrium in TAPVC is discussed.     

A case of pulmonary metastasis of malignant fibrous histiocytoma with left atrial infiltration via the pulmonary vein

We report a case of a woman who at age 58 had an operation on the right femur for malignant fibrous histiocytoma (MFH). At age 63, a chest X-ray examination disclosed a tumor shadow, for which we suspected metastasis from the MFH. Chest computed tomography showed that the tumor had infiltrated to the left atrium via the pulmonary vein. We operated on the patient, first dividing the arterial supply to the lower lobe, and then opening the pericardium. We blocked the lower pulmonary vein and left atrium with a Cooley-Dera clamp and resected the tumor. The tumor was polypoid and had invaded the left atrium. Fifteen months after this lung surgery, the patient was diagnosed with a brain tumor, which was resected. Invasive primary lung cancer to the left atrium via the pulmonary vein is common, but metastasis from a sarcoma such as MFH to the left atrium via the pulmonary vein is extremely rare.     

Pulmonary metastasis with left intra-atrial extension of liposarcoma. Apropos of a case

The direct extension of a neoplastic thrombus of the pulmonary veins into the left atrium is extremely rare. The authors report the case of a pulmonary metastasis from a liposarcoma of the thigh extending into the pulmonary veins and prolapsing into the left atrium. The patient was successfully treated by tumorectomy under cardiopulmonary bypass then by left upper lobectomy.     

Haemodynamic Parameters During and After Infusion of Fluid Following Thoracotomy

Infusion of fluid was performed in order to assess the resistance in the pulmonary circulation of thoracotomized patients in the steady state on the 3rd or 4th postoperative day. The pressure in the pulmonary artery, femoral artery, and left atrium was measured continuously, and the cardiac output was determined before and after infusion of Macrodex 6% or lactated Ringer solution in two groups comprising 5 patients each.

The Macrodex group exhibited a significant rise in the pulmonary arterial pressure and a parallel increase in the pressure in the left atrium. The pressure difference between the pulmonary artery and the left atrium and the cardiac output were not significantly increased. It is concluded that the increase in pulmonary arterial pressure by Macrodex infusions is not due to an increased resistance in the pulmonary circulation.     

Left atrial sarcoma: resection and repair by cardiac autotransplant and in situ pericardial patch

This report demonstrates the method of resection of a left atrial tumor involving the right superior pulmonary vein. The unique features are use of adjacent pericardium as an in situ patch to reconstruct the left atrium when there is no margin of left atrium remaining on the pulmonary veins and cardiac autotransplantation.     

Left superior vena cava draining into the left atrium, associated with partial anomalous pulmonary venous connection: surgical correction

A persistent left superior vena cava draining into the left atrium may produce a symptomatic right-to-left shunt. Although intra-atrial rerouting techniques, in patients with no connecting vein, have proved to be reliable and successful, in many cases the extracardiac repair is preferable. We report a case of a 5-month-old patient with a not connected left superior vena cava draining into the left atrium, associated with atrial septal defect and partial anomalous pulmonary venous connection. The correction has been achieved by rerouting the pulmonary venous return into the left atrium and by transposition of the left vena cava on the right appendage.     

Modified anastomosis for repair of supracardiac total anomalous pulmonary venous connection in infants

Recurrent pulmonary venous obstruction after repair of total anomalous pulmonary venous connection (TAPVC) is usually restricted to the anastomosis between the pulmonary venous confluence and the left atrium. We describe a modified technique for repair of supracardiac TAPVC in infants. An L-shaped incision of left atrium is utilized and the right-sided anastomosis is enlarged by using autologous pericardium to create a large and tension-free anastomosis.     

肺及部分左心房切除术治疗中心型肺癌

为探讨肺及部分左心房切除术在治疗侵及左心房的ＩＩｂ期肺癌的效果。对１９８３年２月至１９９４年１０月期间诊断为侵及左心房的ＩＩＩｂ期肺癌病人分为手术组２６例、探查组１４例。两组于围术期均行强化化疗和术后放、化疗。结果本组无手术死亡，探查组生存２～７个月，平均１３４天；切除组除５例术后１０～５８个月死于癌转移外，余２１例无癌生存６～８５个月。作者认为，肺叶或全肺切除并部分左心房切除能明显延长侵及左心房的ＩＩｂ期肺癌的生存时间。     

Advanced lung cancer invading the left atrium wall treated with pneumonectomy and combined resection of the left atrium using stapling devices: report of two cases.

In chest surgery, stapling devices are primarily used to close bronchi. However, they are also used for dissection and suturing between lung lobes, resection and plication of lung tissue (including bullae), combined resection of the superior vena cava, closure of the pulmonary great vessels, closure of the left atrium following combined resection of the left atrium, and so on. We recently treated two cases of advanced lung cancer, which had invaded the left atrial wall, with pneumonectomy and combined resection of the left atrium using stapling devices, and obtained favorable results. For combined resection of the left atrium, it is safer to use stapling devices than vascular clamps, since the latter involve the risk of dislocation during use. Furthermore, since stapling devices require no margin for suturing, the left atrium can be resected at a point sufficiently distant from the cancer, thus allowing for highly radical resection. Stapling devices are also useful because they can be manipulated even within narrow operative fields. When dealing with lung cancer requiring combined resection of the left atrium, pneumonectomy is needed in most cases. When performing surgery for these cases, it is essential to first close and divide the bronchi and pulmonary arteries and veins as far as possible so that adequate adherence around the left atrium can be developed and the entire lung can be lifted up, followed by resection of the left atrium with a stapling device applied to the left atrium without any tension.     

Communication between the right pulmonary artery and left atrium with aneurysm formation

Communication between the pulmonary artery and the left atrium is a rare congenital anomaly. A 7-year-old boy was referred to our hospital with a diagnosis of pulmonary arteriovenous fistula. Referral to a pediatric cardiologist had been delayed because he had only slight cyanosis and no heart murmur. Catheterization and computed tomography scans confirmed that the right pulmonary branches and pulmonary venous returns were normal and that an additional aneurysmal communication was located between the right pulmonary artery and the left atrium. Surgery proceeded uneventfully together with a cardiopulmonary bypass. The connection from the right pulmonary artery to the aneurysm was ligated, and the connection from the left atrium to the aneurysm was closed with a polytetrafluoroethylene patch. We describe this rare anomaly with cyanosis and no heart murmur.     

Anomalous dual drainage of the right pulmonary veins in a patient with cor triatriatum: report of a case without scimitar sign

The majority of patients with partial anomalous drainage of pulmonary veins are asymptomatic during infancy and childhood. Patients with significant left-to-right shunt develop symptoms and benefit from early corrective surgery. Anomalous pulmonary veins draining into inferior vena cava is very rare and frequently encountered in association with scimitar syndrome. The purpose of this case report is to describe a non-scimitar patient with cor triatriatum who had anomalous dual drainage of right pulmonary veins into inferior vena cava/left atrium and anomalous connection of persistent left superior vena cava with a common pulmonary venous chamber. The patient underwent an operation with redirection of anomalous pulmonary venous drainage into left atrium and ligation of persistent left superior vena cava.     

Fontan procedure for DORV with mitral atresia and anomalous hepatic vein connection to the left atrium--advantage of leaving right to left shunt in situ

A 5-year-old boy with double outlet right ventricle, mitral atresia, pulmonary stenosis and anomalous hepatic vein drainage into left atrium underwent Fontan procedure leaving hepatic venous-left atrial connection. Systemic venous-left atrial connection provided enough filling volume of the systemic ventricle despite of high pulmonary resistance. Extra cardiac shunt between the systemic vein and left atrium would be the second best in fontan operation for cases with high pulmonary resistance.     

A case of cor triatriatum with atrial septal defect in an adult]

A surgical treatment of a 54 year-old female with cor triatriatum was reported. Two dimensional echocardiography had demonstrated an abnormal septum in the left atrium. The abnormal septum had a 2 x 1 cm fenestration and existed between the left and right pulmonary veins. Preoperatively, we had misjudged the septum as ASD and misdiagnosed this case as PAPVC. During surgery we found that there was the accessory atrial chamber posterior to the true ASD. The accessory chamber received right pulmonary veins and connected to the left atrium. The left pulmonary veins connected to the left atrium normally behind the abnormal septum. We diagnosed this case as Lucas-Shmidt IIIA1 type cor triatriatum with ASD. The abnormal septum was resected, and the ASD was closed with a bovine pericardium. The postoperative course was uneventful and she was discharged 19 days after the operation.     

Right hemi-reconstruction of the left atrium using two equine pericardial patches for recurrent malignant fibrous histiocytoma: Report of a case

We report a case of recurrent malignant fibrous histiocytoma (MFH) in the left atrium, treated by removal of the tumor and the right half of the left atrium, which was reconstructed with two equine pericardial patches. Postoperative echocardiography showed patent right pulmonary veins and a properly shaped left atrium. The patient survived for 3 years after the operation with no cardiac symptoms.     

Radical correction of paracardiac type IIb of total anomalous pulmonary venous connection using pedicled flaps of right atrium and atrial septum

Surgical results of total anomalous pulmonary venous connection (TAPVC) has been improved in recent years, however, late development of pulmonary venous obstruction was our concern in its total correction in early infancy. In the cardiac type of TAPVC, in which the pulmonary veins were connected to the right lateral wall, prosthetic patch is conventionally used in diversion of pulmonary venous flow into left atrium. It seemed favorable to repair this subset without using prosthesis. A 3-month-old female with TAPVCIIb according to Darling's classification underwent total correction on September 22th, 1988. Two pedicled flaps were developed using the right atrial wall and the atrial septum to create a pulmonary venous channel to divert arterial blood into left atrium and absorbable sutures were used throughout. Right atrium was entered through a vertical incision in its body and all the pulmonary veins were found in a recess in the lateral wall of the right atrium. Atrial septal defect in the cranial aspect of the fossa ovalis was enlarged by cutting the primum tissue along the right limbus and its caudal margin so as to form a pedicled flap attached to the left limbic tissue. Then the flap was sutured along the limbus to create a roof of the fossa ovalis. The second flap was made in the middle of the lateral atrial wall and was used to create a tunnel from the recess to the atrial septal defect. The defect in the right atrial wall was closed directly and no prosthetic patch was used. Postoperative course was uneventful and echocardiogram showed wide pulmonary venous channel draining into the left atrium.     

肺切除加左心房部分切除术治疗局部晚期肺癌

目的 为寻求晚期肺癌患者的外科治疗方法，提高手术疗效，总结34例局部晚期肺癌患者行肺切除加左心房部分切除术的经验。方法 对34例局部晚期肺癌患者施行了肺切除加左心房部分切除术。左肺下叶切除术19例，左全肺切除术4例，右肺中下叶切除术6例，右肺下叶切除术2例，右全肺切除术3例。肿瘤侵及肺静脉根部与心房交界处近心端25例，明显侵犯左心房9例，其中2例同时侵及靠近肺动脉分叉处，常规无法处理肺动脉，在体外循环下切除全肺并同时切除部分左心房。结果 本组无手术死亡，术后发生并发症11例，其中心律失常8例次，肺炎5例次，心功能不全1例次。1年、3年生存率分别为79．4％、44.1％，6例生存＞5年。结论 肺癌累及左心房或肺静脉根部时应切除部分左心房以达到根治性切除，从而延长患者寿命，提高生存质量。     

Primary osteosarcoma of left atrium: complete surgical excision

A patient with primary osteogenic sarcoma of the left atrium with clinical features of severe congestive heart failure is described. The operative procedure required excision of the posterior atrial wall in continuity with the left pulmonary veins. The resultant defect in the atrium was reconstructed with the left atrial appendage. The left pulmonary artery was ligated, and the lung was removed at a subsequent procedure. The patient survived operation but subsequently was found to have distant metastasis. He died seven months after the operation.     

Inadvertent aortic cannulation with a pulmonary artery catheter detected by transesophageal echocardiography

Attempted pulmonary artery catheterization via the left internal jugular vein resulted in a misdiagnosis of pulmonary hypertension before transesophageal echocardiography revealed the catheter positioned in the ascending aorta. Inadvertent aortic cannulation through an unusual type of partial anomalous pulmonary venous connection was confirmed with transcatheter fluoroscopy and later at autopsy. Partial anomalous pulmonary venous connection describes one or more of the pulmonary veins draining into the right atrium or its tributaries instead of the left atrium.     

Asymptomatic cor triatriatum incidentally revealed in an elderly patient with mitral stenosis

A case of mitral stenosis accompanied by asymptomatic cor triatriatum, underwent surgical correction, including excision of the diaphragm in the left atrium and mitral valve replacement with a 27mm St. Jude Medical mechanical valve. A preoperative transthoracic echocardiogram disclosed a linear structure in the left atrium which was suspicious for cor triatriatum, which was confirmed by computed tomography (CT scan) and cardiac catheterization. Cardiac catheterization revealed: 1) mitral valve stenosis of 0.9 cm² of estimated mitral area, 2) division of the left atrium into two chambers by a diaphragm, that might have multiple ostia; blood flow from the common pulmonary venous chamber to the true left atrium seemed to be unrestricted, and all four pulmonary veins opened into the common pulmonary venous chamber, 3) there were no other apparent cardiac anomalies believed to coexist with cor triatriatum. Preoperative examinations is important for determination of operative strategies.     

A surgically treated case of partial anomalous pulmonary venous connection to the right atrium, diagnosed by magnetic resonance imaging

We report a successful surgical repair of a 33-year-old male with partial anomalous pulmonary venous connection (PAPVC) to the right atrium and pulmonary valve stenosis. This case was diagnosed using Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). The findings of MRI clearly showed an abnormal development of the atrial septum far to the left, and the right lower pulmonary vein connected to the right atrium. An embryologic explanation of PAPVC can be provided in many cases by persistent communication between pulmonary veins and systemic veins. However, the MRI findings of this case support the suggestion of Neill that an abnormal development of the atrial septum far to the left provides an embryologic explanation for PAPVC to the right atrium. Preoperative MRI study of PAPVC to the right atrium prove to be of great value in preventing accidental over-cutting of the posterior atrial wall during surgical correction.