Congenital Aorto-Left Atrial Tunnel—An Unusual Communication: A Case Report
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1532/HSF98.20061114Abstract
Congenital aortico-cameral communications are rarely seen. We present an asymptomatic patient in whom there was a congenital vascular communication rising from the aortic root and terminating in the left atrium. She had an atrial septal defect (ASD). The diagnosis was made with echocardiography and confirmed by aortography. She was treated by closing the tunnel and the ASD. The outcome was satisfactory in this extremely rare case of a congenital cardiac lesion. Coincidental diagnosis could be made during careful echocardiographic examination.References
Archer TP, Mabee SW, Baker PB, Orsinelli DA, Leier CV. 1997. Aortoleft atrial fistula: a reversible cause of acute refractory heart failure. Chest 111:828-31.nJean R, Fermin H, Velarde H, Lainet A, Silva G. 1986. Aorta-left atrial fistula. J Cardiovasc Surg 26:355-8.nKalangos A, Beghetti M, Vala D, et al. 2000. Aortico right atrial tunnel. Ann Thorac Surg 69:635-7.nNihoyannopoulos P, Sapsford R, Oakley CM. 1987. Congenital fistula between the aorta and left atrium. Br Heart J 57:387-90.nOtero Coto E, Cafforena JM, Such M, Marques JL. 1980. Aorta-right atrial communication. Report of an unusual case. J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 80:941-94.nRosenberg H, Williams WG, Trusler GA, et al. 1986. Congenital aortico-right atrial communications. The dilemma of differentiation from coronary-camaral fistula. J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 91:841-7.nTopcuoglu MS, Salih OK, San M, Kayhan C, Ulus T. 1987. Aorta-left atrial fistula with bicuspid aortic valve and coronary artery origin anomaly. Ann Thorac Surg 63:854-6.nTurkay C, Gölbasi I, Belgi A, Tepe S, Bayezid O. 2003. Aorta-right atrial tunnel. J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 125:1058-60.n
