Congenital aneurysm of the left atrial appendage

Congenital aneurysm of the left atrial appendage is quite infrequent.Most instances are asymptomatic. Patients can report a varietyof symptoms, one of the most frequent being onset of auriculartachyarrhythmia. Various imaging techniques are useful in diagnosisand allow the differential diagnosis with other pathologies. We describe the case of a 24-year-old male with congenital aneurysmof the left atrial appendage. The patient presented with auricularfibrillation. Diagnosis was based on transthoracic and trans-esophagealechocardiography, and the patient was treated by surgical resectionof the aneurysm under extracorporeal circulation.     

Congenital aneurysm of left atrial appendage.

Congenital aneurysm of the left atrial appendage is a rare anomaly, usually presenting in adult life. The case reported is that of a 55-year-old man who died of cerebral embolism originating from a thrombus in a congenital aneurysm of the left atrial appendage. The cardiac silhouette 11 years previously had suggested a cardiac tumour or a pericardial cyst. As judged frm 14 published cases, the major manifestations of these aneurysms are an abnormal cardiac silhouette in the x-ray, supraventricular tachycardia, and systemic embolism. Angiocardiography appears to be the method of choice in establishing the diagnosis. Resection of th aneurysm is the recommended form of treatment.     

Congenital giant aneurysm of the left atrial appendage in an infant

Aneurysm of the left atrial appendage is a rare pathological condition. We describe the diagnostic work-up and surgical management of a child with giant congenital aneurysm of the left atrial appendage.     

Congenital left atrial appendage aneurysm in a 2-year-old boy

A 2-year-old boy was referred for further treatment of atrialflutter with 1:1 conduction and heart rates up to 270 b.p.m.The tachycardia was controlled with continuous intravenous     

Giant left atrial appendage aneurysm

A 67-year-old lady was referred to our hospital because of abnormalfindings on a simple chest radiograph. The chest radiographshowed a markedly prominent left cardiac border (Panel A). Becausea radiolucent cleft (Panel A, arrow heads)     

Intrapericardial left atrial appendage aneurysm

An intrapericardial left atrial appendage aneurysm is described in a 36 year old female. She was asymptomatic except for intermittent palpitations. The aneurysm was initially diagnosed by 2D-echocardiogram and confirmed by pulmonary cineangiogram. In addition to compression and indentation of the anterolateral wall of the left ventricle, hypokinesis was noted, which we believe has not been reported previously, in association with the left atrial appendage aneurysm, and which improved after surgical resection. The patient is symptom-free at a 5 year follow-up. A review of the literature is presented.     

Congenital giant aneurysm of the left atrial appendage mimicking pericardial absence case report

A 25-year-old man was found to have an abnormal cardiac contour on a chest radiograph, and was referred. Transesophageal echocardiography suggested herniation of the left atrial appendage (LAA) through a gap in the pericardium, and magnetic resonance imaging indicated congenital partial absence of the pericardium. Cardiac dysfunction was caused by compression from the enlarged left atrium and thrombi were thought to be present in the appendage, so surgery was performed. The intraoperative diagnosis was congenital LAA aneurysm. Although distinguishing between congenital LAA aneurysm and congenital absence of the pericardium is reported to be possible with magnetic resonance imaging, we were unable to so in this case.     

Giant intrapericardial aneurysm of the left atrial appendage

A young patient is reported with an aneurysm of the left atrial appendage having supraventricular arrhythmias and a period of chest pain accompanied by a rise in cardiac enzymes. Compression of the left anterior descending coronary artery by the aneurysm was felt to be responsible for the myocardial injury.     

Giant left atrial appendage aneurysm compressing the left anterior descending coronary artery

Left atrial appendage aneurysm (LAAA) is a rare congenital structural heart disease. It is often diagnosed by echocardiography; however, other imaging modalities can add to its diagnosis and its potential effects on the surrounding structures. A 16‐year‐old boy presented with dyspnea and palpitation. Transthoracic echocardiography showed a large LAAA communicating with the LA through a narrow neck with impaired left ventricular (LV) systolic function. Multidetector cardiac tomography showed that the LAAA is compressing the left anterior descending artery. The LAAA was surgically resected followed by improvement of the LV systolic function.     

Huge left atrial appendage aneurysm revealed by chronic hiccups

Left atrial appendage (LAA) aneurysm is an extremely rare anomaly. So far, less than one hundred cases only have been reported worldwide. Revelation modes are dominated by complications such as arrhythmias and thromboembolic events. We herein report a pediatric case of huge congenital LAA aneurysm with an original revelation mode that has never been described before in medical literature.     

Massive left atrial appendage aneurysm presenting as supraventricular tachycardia

Left atrial appendage aneurysm is a rarely reported condition. Symptoms are absent in childhood and diagnosis is usually incidental. Systemic embolization or arrhythmia can bring these cases to medical attention. We report the case of a 12-year-old male with massive left atrial appendage aneurysm who presented with effort intolerance and supraventricular arrhythmia. The diagnosis was made by transthoracic echocardiography. Magnetic resonance imaging and left atriogram were also done before surgical resection.     

The dangerous fifth chamber: congenital left atrial appendage aneurysm

Aneurysms of the left atrial appendage are extremely rare. Enlargement of the left atrial appendage can be congenital or acquired. Dysplasia of the left atrial muscles leads to congenital left atrial appendage aneurysm and usually presents as atrial tachyarrhythmia or embolic events in the second or third decade of life. We report a case of an asymptomatic 12-year-old child with a congenital left atrial appendage aneurysm. Transthoracic and transoesophageal echocardiography demonstrated a large left atrial appendage aneurysm without thrombus or spontaneous echo-contrast. The patient was successfully treated with surgical resection of the aneurysm.