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

Research output: Contribution to journalCase reportContributedpeer-review

Contributors

  • Sigrun R. Hofmann - , Department of Paediatrics, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus Dresden (Author)
  • Antje Heilmann - , University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus Dresden (Author)
  • Hans J. Häusler - , University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus Dresden (Author)
  • Ingo Dähnert - , Leipzig University (Author)
  • Gabriele Kamin - , University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus Dresden, Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics (Author)
  • Robert Lachmann - , University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus Dresden, Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics (Author)

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

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)256-261
Number of pages6
JournalFetal diagnosis and therapy : clinical advances and basic research
Volume32
Issue number4
Publication statusPublished - Dec 2012
Peer-reviewedYes

External IDs

researchoutputwizard legacy.publication#48077
Scopus 85027940187
PubMed 22722771

Keywords

Keywords

  • Aneurysm, Congenital, Dilatation, Echocardiography, Right atrium