Aneurysm Of Right Atrial Appendage Research Articles

Clinical and diagnostic imaging findings in dogs with atrial appendage aneurysm: 7 cases (2014–2020)

Introduction/ObjectiveAtrial appendage aneurysm in dogs is a rare condition and has not been well described. The aim of this study is to describe clinical and diagnostic imaging findings, especially computed tomography (CT), of atrial appendage aneurysms in dogs. AnimalsSeven client-owned dogs with a presumptive diagnosis of left or right atrial appendage aneurysm. Materials and methodsRetrospective study. Medical records were searched to identify dogs with a presumptive diagnosis of left (LAAA) or right atrial appendage aneurysm (RAAA). Signalment, history, examination findings, diagnostic test results, and imaging procedures were reviewed. Archived diagnostic images were retrieved and evaluated by two board-certified radiologists and a board-certified cardiologist. Data analysis was descriptive. ResultsSix cases were diagnosed with RAAA and one with LAAA with a median age of 8 years. Five affected dogs were small to medium-breed male dogs. All dogs underwent a thoracic CT examination for various reasons and all cases of RAAA were incidental findings. CT was useful to identify and assess the atrial appendage aneurysm, as well as neighboring structures, although possible pericardial defects could not be visualized. Five dogs had a concurrent echocardiographic examination, which successfully identified the LAAA and two RAAA. ConclusionsThis case series described the clinical and CT findings in seven dogs with atrial appendage aneurysm, as well as echocardiographic findings in five of these cases. Right atrial appendage aneurysms appear to be mainly incidental findings. CT seems to be more sensitive than echocardiography in the detection of atrial appendage aneurysm.

Right Atrial Appendage Aneurysm Resection to Cure Aneurysm-Related Atrial Tachyarrhythmia.

Congenital right atrial appendage aneurysm (RAAA) is an extremely rare malformation that can coexist with atrial tachyarrhythmia. There is no consensus on treatment for this condition. This research aimed to investigate the clinical characteristics and efficacy of surgical resection to treat atrial tachyarrhythmia originating from RAAA in children. Four RAAA children diagnosed with atrial tachyarrhythmia at the age of 1-5.25years weighing 8.3-17.1kg were discussed in this retrospective study. Patients underwent various treatments, included electrocardiogram (ECG) and echocardiography, antiarrhythmic medication therapy, radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA), surgical resection of RAAA and pathological examinations. The results from these treatments along with clinical features of patients were analyzed. The incidence of RAAA in patients with atrial tachycardia originating from the right or left atrial appendages (RAA or LAA) was 7.3% (4/55). The prevalence of RAAA in the RAA was 12.5% (4/32). Atrial tachyarrhythmia was identified both prenatally (26 and 36weeks of gestational age) and postnatally (1 and 4months after birth), with two patients per group, respectively. The RAAAs condition in two patients with atrial tachycardia (AT), concomitant atrial flutter (AF) and atrial fibrillation (Af) was identified using echocardiogram. Although, RAAA in two patients with mono AT was unidentified in echocardiogram and failed to be identified in the procedure of RFCA, RAAA was confirmed during surgical resection of the RAA. Multiple pre-surgical antiarrhythmic medications combined therapy used to treat all four patients showed either no effect at all or was only partially effective. The original atrial tachyarrhythmia was successfully abolished after RAAA surgical resection in four patients. AT originating from new foci was established in two patients post-surgically. The conditions of these two patients were successfully reverted and normal sinus rhythm maintained in the application of antiarrhythmic medications. These results confirmed the efficacy of RAAA surgical resection. The pathology study showed cystic dilation in parts of the atrial cavity, fibrosis of the cyst wall, generalized fibrosis of atrial myocardium with myocardium atrophy and cystic dilation. RAAA is prone to misdiagnosis by echocardiogram. Atrial tachyarrhythmia in patients with RAAA is usually resistant to antiarrhythmic medication therapy and RFCA. Surgical resection of RAAA is a safe and effective option that is minimally invasive.

Right Atrial Appendage Aneurysm: A Systematic Review

Right atrial appendage aneurysm (RAAA) is rare with fewer than 20 cases reported in the literature. We sought to systematically review the published cases of RAAA in terms of demographics, clinical characteristics, treatment, complications, and outcome. Electronic search for case reports, case series, and related articles published until July 2013 was carried out and clinical data were extracted and analyzed. Seventeen cases of RAAA were identified with equal sex distribution and commonly presenting in the third decades of life. Dyspnea and palpitation were the most common clinical presentations. Echocardiography was the most common diagnostic modality. The mean size of aneurysm was 8.83 ± 4.84 × 6.05 ± 2.99 cm. Most of the patients were treated medically with close follow-up. The mean follow-up period was 10 months. Atrial tachyarrhythmias and heart failure were the most common complications. Right atrial appendage aneurysm although rare may be associated with significant morbidity. Surgical resection is indicated in symptomatic patients.

Longitudinal Follow-Up of a Right Atrial Appendage Aneurysm by Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging

A 13-year-old boy was referred to cardiology for evaluation of intermittent exertional breathlessness. Previous respiratory investigations had revealed normal lung function and no evidence of asthma on exercise spirometry. There was no past medical history of note. Cardiorespiratory examination was unremarkable except for a soft ejection systolic murmur at the lower left sternal border. ECG showed sinus rhythm and normal P-wave morphology and QRS axis, with a T-wave inversion in leads III and aVF. Chest radiograph demonstrated normal cardiothoracic ratio, but the heart was noted to be globular in shape (Figure 1). Figure 1. Chest radiograph (posteroanterior film) showed that the cardiac silhouette was of normal size, but globular in shape. Transthoracic echocardiography revealed the presence of a large, thin-walled aneurysmal structure in continuity with the free wall of the right atrium, discrete from the caval veins (Figure 2). There was mild tricuspid regurgitation, with a Doppler velocity of 2.1 m/s. Both ventricles were of normal size and function. To further characterize this cardiac abnormality, the patient was referred for cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging. Cine imaging using a balanced steady-state free precession sequence showed a noncontractile, smooth-walled, right atrial appendage aneurysm (RAAA) extending anterior to …

Aneurysm of right atrial appendage in a young patient

Aneurysm of right atrial appendage in a young patient