J Korean Soc Echocardiogr.  1996 Jul;4(1):91-96. 10.4250/jkse.1996.4.1.91.

Two Cases of Cor Triatriatum Associated with Acute Onset Dyspnea in Old Age

• Kim SH
• Kim MS
• Baek SH
• Koo KS
• Jeong JW
• Park YK
• Park OK

• KMID: 2410411
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4250/jkse.1996.4.1.91

Abstract

Cor triatriatum is a rare congenital heart disease. In the calssic form the left atrium is divided into two chambers by a fibromuscular diaphragm covered by endocardium. The dorsal chamber receives the pulmonary veins, and the ventral chamber gives rise to the left atrial appendage and leads to the mitral valve. Even though the calssic case of cor triatriatum clinically looks like pulmonary venous obstruction, the association, location, and size of the ASD, as well as other cardiac anomalies, may influence symptoms, making the diagnosis difficult. The diagnosis of cor triatriatum is made chiefly from two-dimensional echocardiography and transesophageal echocardiography. The diagnosis can be established by the surgical exploration. In this paper we will report two cases of non-obstruction or triatriatum and review of literature was made.

Keyword

Cor triatriatum

MeSH Terms

Atrial Appendage
Cor Triatriatum*
Diagnosis
Diaphragm
Dyspnea*
Echocardiography
Echocardiography, Transesophageal
Endocardium
Heart Atria
Heart Defects, Congenital
Mitral Valve
Pulmonary Veins

Figure

• 

  Fig. 1. Chest X-ray shows mild pulmonary vascular congestion and both pleural effusion.

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  Fig. 2. Five chamber view with the fenestrated intra-atrial membrane in LA represented by transesotphaseal echocardiography. (LV: Left ventricle, AO: Aorta)

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  Fig. 3. Basal short axis planes demonstrated by transesophageal echocardiography. Intra-atrial membrane divides the LA into posterosuperior LA and anteroinferior. The opening in the intra-atrial membrane is 2cm sized without obstruction. (LA: Left atrium, AO: Aorta)

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  Fig. 4. Chest X-ray shows cardiomegaly and mild pulmonary vascular congestion.

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  Fig. 5. Five chamber view with color doppler demonstrated transthoracic echocardiography. Intra-atrial membrane in LA was visualized. (LV: Left ventricle, AO: Aorta)

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  Fig. 6. Basal short axis planes by TEE. Intra-atrial membrane devides the LA into posterosuperior LA and anteroinferior without obstruction. (LA: Left atrium)

Reference

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