Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Unusual Atrial Septal Anatomy Resulting in an Interatrial Chamber: The True Triatrial Heart?

  • CASE REPORT
  • Published:
Pediatric Cardiology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

We report two patients who were found to have nearly identical, very peculiar atrial septal anatomy. The septum actually consisted of two distinct septa with discrete defects creating an interatrial chamber. The orifice from the left atrium was unrestrictive, but the orifice to the right atrium was restrictive. Overall, there was net left-to-right shunting. This finding represents a clinical dilemma: Left untreated, the interatrial chamber might be a nidus for thrombus formation, but attempting device closure might result in incomplete obliteration of the chamber, also resulting in potential locus for clot formation. Clot formation might lead to systemic embolization. Angiographic findings are correlated with echocardiographic findings. Embryology and treatment options are considered.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Blackshear JL, Odell JA (1996) Appendage obliteration to reduce stroke in cardiac surgical patients with atrial fibrillation. Ann Thorac Surg 61:755–759

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  2. Butera G, DeRosa G, Chessa M, et al. (2003) Transcatheter closure of atrial septal defect in young children: results and follow-up. J Am Coll Cardiol 42:241–245

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  3. Kouchoukos NT, et al. (2003) Kirklin/Barratt-Boyes Cardiac Surgery: Morphology, Diagnostic Criteria, Natural History, Techniques, Results, and Indications, 3rd ed. Elsevier, Philadelphia

    Google Scholar 

  4. Latson LA, Jones TK, Jacobson J, Zahn E, Rhodes JF (2006) Analysis of factors related to successful transcatheter closure of secundum atrial septal defects using the HELEX septal occluder. Am Heart J 151:1129

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  5. Lopez K, Dalvi BV, Balzer D, et al. (2005) Transcatheter closure of large secundum atrial septal defects using the 40mm Amplatzer septal occluder: results of an international registry. Cathet Cardiovasc Interv 66:580–584

    Article  Google Scholar 

  6. Masura J, Gavora P, Podnar T (2005) Long-term outcome of transcatheter secundum-type atrial septal defect closure using Amplatzer septal occluders. J Am Coll Cardiol 45:505–507

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  7. Moore K, Persaud TVN (1998) The Developing Human: Clinically Oriented Embryology, 6th ed. Elsevier, Philadelphia, pp 363–364

    Google Scholar 

  8. Post MC, Suttorp MJ, Jaarsma W, Piokker HW (2006) Comparison of outcome and complications using different types of devices for percutaneous closure of a secundum atrial septal defect in adults: a single center experience. Cathet Cardiovasc Interv 67:438–443

    Article  Google Scholar 

  9. Roberson DA, Javois AJ, Cui W, et al. (2006) Double atrial septum with persistent inter-atrial space: echocardiographic features of a rare atrial septal malformation. J Am Soc Echocardiogr 19:1175–1181

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  10. Santoro G, Bigazzi MC, Lacono C, et al. (2006) Transcatheter closure of complex atrial septal defects: feasibility and mid-term results. J Cardiovasc Med 7:176–181

    Article  Google Scholar 

  11. Wolf Pa, Abbott RD, Kannel WB (1991) Atrial fibrillation as an independent risk factor for stroke: the Framingham study. Stroke 22:1098–1100

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. The Heart Institute for Children, Advocate Hope Children’s Hospital, Oak Lawn, IL, USA

    A. J. Javois & D. A. Roberson

  2. Rush Medical College, Chicago, IL, USA

    A. J. Javois

  3. Pediatric Cardiac Cath Lab, The Heart Institute for Children, Advocate Hope Children’s Hospital, 4440 West 95th Street, Oak Lawn, IL, 60453, USA

    A. J. Javois

Authors
  1. A. J. Javois
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. D. A. Roberson
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to A. J. Javois.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Javois, A.J., Roberson, D.A. Unusual Atrial Septal Anatomy Resulting in an Interatrial Chamber: The True Triatrial Heart?. Pediatr Cardiol 28, 224–228 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00246-006-0057-5

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00246-006-0057-5

Keywords

Search

Navigation