Congenital idiopathic dilatation of the right atrium: Antenatal appearance, postnatal management, long-term follow-up and possible pathomechanism

Publikation: Beitrag in FachzeitschriftFallbericht (Case report)BeigetragenBegutachtung

Beitragende

  • Sigrun R. Hofmann - , Klinik und Poliklinik für Kinder- und Jugendmedizin, Universitätsklinikum Carl Gustav Carus Dresden (Autor:in)
  • Antje Heilmann - , Universitätsklinikum Carl Gustav Carus Dresden (Autor:in)
  • Hans J. Häusler - , Universitätsklinikum Carl Gustav Carus Dresden (Autor:in)
  • Ingo Dähnert - , Universität Leipzig (Autor:in)
  • Gabriele Kamin - , Universitätsklinikum Carl Gustav Carus Dresden, Klinik und Poliklinik für Frauenheilkunde und Geburtshilfe (Autor:in)
  • Robert Lachmann - , Universitätsklinikum Carl Gustav Carus Dresden, Klinik und Poliklinik für Frauenheilkunde und Geburtshilfe (Autor:in)

Abstract

Introduction: Idiopathic dilatation of the right atrium (IDRA) is a rare abnormality usually detected by chance at any time between antenatal and adult life. It is defined as isolated enlargement of the right atrium in the absence of other cardiac lesions causing right atrial dilatation. IDRA can be associated with atrial arrhythmia and systemic embolism. The clinical presentation shows high variability ranging from the lack of any symptoms up to cardiac failure. Methods/Results: We describe 2 children with antenatally diagnosed IDRA, the intrauterine course in 1 case, the postnatal management and its long-term follow-up. There has been no need for surgical intervention so far because of the lack of arrhythmias and no further progression of right atrial diameters. Thrombus formation in the right atrium, which is a potential risk for pulmonary embolism, led us to initiate anticoagulation in our cases to prevent such complications. Furthermore, we suggest one possible pathomechanism of congenital right atrial dilatation. Conclusion: Optimal management of severe IDRA depends on the individual case. Long-term follow-up of these patients is necessary to monitor a possible further progression of right atrial size and occurrence of arrhythmias. As a possible pathomechanism, a functional partial anomalous pulmonary venous insertion may imitate a structural abnormal pulmonary vein connection in some idiopathic cases of congenital right atrial dilatation.

Details

OriginalspracheEnglisch
Seiten (von - bis)256-261
Seitenumfang6
FachzeitschriftFetal diagnosis and therapy : clinical advances and basic research
Jahrgang32
Ausgabenummer4
PublikationsstatusVeröffentlicht - Dez. 2012
Peer-Review-StatusJa

Externe IDs

researchoutputwizard legacy.publication#48077
Scopus 85027940187
PubMed 22722771

Schlagworte

Schlagwörter

  • Aneurysm, Congenital, Dilatation, Echocardiography, Right atrium