Congenital intrapericardial aneurysm of the left atrial appendage

Congenital aneurysmal dilatation of the left atrial appendage is a rare but correctable lesion. It represents a diagnostic dilemma in patients with cardiomegaly and is commonly associated with supraventricular arrhythmias and life-threatening systemic embolization. We describe the diagnostic evaluation and surgical treatment during 1997 of a patient with congenital aneurysmal dilatation of the left atrial appendage. The patient was discharged previously from our hospital in 1967 with the diagnosis of congenital dilatation of the pulmonary artery.