Skip to main content
NCBI home page
Thorax logoLink to Thorax
. 1975 Feb;30(1):102–109. doi: 10.1136/thx.30.1.102

Congenital intrapericardial aneurysms of the left atrium.

U Thadani, W Whitaker, D A Watson
PMCID: PMC470252  PMID: 1124523

Abstract

A patient with congenital intrapericardial aneurysm/diverticulum of the left atrium diagnosed preoperatively is described. A review of the 16 previously reported cases revealed that the majority of the patients present with palpitation and are found to have an abnormal cardiac shadow on chest radiography, as did this patient. The aneurysm appears to cause systemic emboli and paroxysmal or persistent atrial tachyarrhythmias which are often resistant to medical therapy. The presence of the aneurysm is suggested by an abnormal contour of the left cardiac border in the postero-anterior chest radiograph and this can be confirmed by angiocardiography. Surgical excision of the aneurysm is indicated in all patients to prevent the occurrence or recurrence of systemic emboli and atrial arrhythmias. Our patient has remained free of symptoms since her operation 14 months ago.

Full text

PDF
102

Images in this article

103Image
on p.103
103Image
on p.103
104Image
on p.104
105Image
on p.105
106Image
on p.106

Selected References

These references are in PubMed. This may not be the complete list of references from this article.

  1. Behrendt D. M., Aberdeen E. Congenital aneurysm of the left atrium. Ann Thorac Surg. 1972 Jan;13(1):54–59. doi: 10.1016/s0003-4975(10)64811-4. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  2. DIMOND E. G., KITTLE C. F., VOTH D. W. Extreme hypertrophy of the left atrial appendage: the case of the giant dog ear. Am J Cardiol. 1960 Jan;5:122–125. doi: 10.1016/0002-9149(60)90019-9. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  3. De Saint-Florent G., Duboys Y., Neveux J. Y., Mathey J. Anévrisme congénital de l'auricule. Ann Chir Thorac Cardiovasc. 1967 Jan;6(1):110–111. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  4. ELLIS K., LEEDS N. E., HIMMELSTEIN A. Congenital deficiencies in the parietal pericardium: a review with 2 new cases including successful diagnosis by plain roentgenography. Am J Roentgenol Radium Ther Nucl Med. 1959 Jul;82(1):125–137. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  5. Eie H., Semb G., Müller O., Holm H. A. Aneurysm of the left atrial appendage. Scand J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg. 1972;6(2):149–153. doi: 10.3109/14017437209134793. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  6. FRY W. Herniation of the left auricle. Am J Surg. 1953 Dec;86(6):736–738. doi: 10.1016/0002-9610(53)90388-2. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  7. Godwin T. F., Auger P., Key J. A., Wigle E. D. Intrapericardial aneurysmal dilatation of the left atrial appendage. Circulation. 1968 Mar;37(3):397–401. doi: 10.1161/01.cir.37.3.397. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  8. HERBERT W. M., ARISMENDI L., RUBSTALLER F. D., PETERSEN H. C. ANEURYSM OF THE LEFT ATRIUM ASSOCIATED WITH SYNCOPE AND CYANOSIS; A CASE REPORT. J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg. 1965 Apr;49:535–539. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  9. HERING A. C., WILSON J. S., BALL R. E., Jr Congenital deficiency of the pericardium. J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg. 1960 Jul;40:49–55. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  10. Hansen J. F., Rygg I., Efsen F. Intrapericardial left atrial aneurysm. Report of a case and a review of the literature. Am Heart J. 1974 Jan;87(1):113–116. doi: 10.1016/0002-8703(74)90399-8. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  11. Macleod C. A., Ankeney J. L., Perrin E. V., Nickel S. S., Liebman J. Left atrial aneurysm. Am Heart J. 1970 Nov;80(5):683–688. doi: 10.1016/0002-8703(70)90015-3. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  12. Morrow A. G., Behrendt D. M. Congenital aneurysm (diverticulum) of the right atrium. Clinical manifestations and results of operative treatment. Circulation. 1968 Jul;38(1):124–128. doi: 10.1161/01.cir.38.1.124. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  13. PALACIO J., GUIDO J. J., NOGER V. N., GONNELLA C. G., VILLEGAS VIDELA A. F. [Big left congenital auricular appendage]. Prensa Med Argent. 1960 May 27;47:1505–1511. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  14. PARMLEY L. F., Jr Congenital atriomegaly. Circulation. 1962 Mar;25:553–558. doi: 10.1161/01.cir.25.3.553. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  15. PITTS R. M., POTTS W. Congenital diverticulum of the left atrium. Arch Surg. 1962 Mar;84:334–336. doi: 10.1001/archsurg.1962.01300210068014. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  16. Parker J. O., Connell W. F., Lynn R. B. Left atrial aneurysm. Am J Cardiol. 1967 Oct;20(4):579–582. doi: 10.1016/0002-9149(67)90039-2. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  17. Pernot C., Hoeffel J. C., Henry M., Frisch R., Brauer B. Partial left pericardial defect with herniation of the left atrial appendage. Thorax. 1972 Mar;27(2):246–250. doi: 10.1136/thx.27.2.246. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  18. Salonikides N., Tsakonas P., Gazetopoulos N., Katsonis S., Manes M. Dilatation anevrysmale congenitale de l'auricule gauche. Acta Cardiol. 1970;25(2):188–196. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  19. Sanderud A., Garman D., Hatle L., Rokseth R. Aneurysmal dilatation of the left auricle. Scand J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg. 1971;5(2):143–146. doi: 10.3109/14017437109135546. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  20. Sloman G., Hunt D., Hare W. S. Aneurysmal dilatation of the left atrial appendage. Med J Aust. 1969 Jul 12;2(2):101–102. doi: 10.5694/j.1326-5377.1969.tb105632.x. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  21. Varghese P. J., Simon A. L., Rosenquist G. C., Berger M., Rowe R. D., Bender H. W. Multiple saccular congenital aneurysms of the atria causing persistent atrial tachyarrhythmia in an infant. Report of a case successfully treated by surgery. Pediatrics. 1969 Sep;44(3):429–433. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  22. WILLIAMS W. G. DILATATION OF THE LEFT ATRIAL APPENDAGE. Br Heart J. 1963 Sep;25:637–643. doi: 10.1136/hrt.25.5.637. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]

Articles from Thorax are provided here courtesy of BMJ Publishing Group

RESOURCES