Hamartomatous Malformation of the Left Atrium: A Rare Cause of Recurrent Transient Ischemic Attack

• Published in: The Annals of thoracic surgery Vol. 96; no. 3; pp. 1068 - 1070
• Main Authors: Bustamante, Juan, MD, PhD, Leal, Omer, MD, Soto de Prado, Diego, MD, PhD, Domínguez, Lourdes, MD, Nombela, Florentino, MD, PhD, Guijarro, Mercedes, MD, Gamallo, Carlos, MD, PhD
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Elsevier Inc 01-09-2013
• Subjects: Atrial Appendage - pathology; Atrial Appendage - surgery; Cardiac Surgical Procedures - methods; Cardiothoracic Surgery; Echocardiography, Doppler; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Hamartoma - complications; Hamartoma - diagnostic imaging; Hamartoma - surgery; Heart Atria; Heart Diseases - complications; Heart Diseases - diagnostic imaging; Heart Diseases - surgery; Humans; Ischemic Attack, Transient - etiology; Ischemic Attack, Transient - physiopathology; Middle Aged; Risk Assessment; Surgery; Treatment Outcome; 16
• ISSN: 0003-4975; 1552-6259
• DOI: 10.1016/j.athoracsur.2013.01.036

Primary cardiac tumors constitute an infrequent heart pathology with a generally good prognosis. We present the case of a 45-year-old woman without a relevant medical history and with recurrent transient ischemic attacks of unknown origin. After follow-up with neurologic examination and repeated echocardiograms, an elongated mobile mass image was seen in the left atrial appendage. Surgical treatment consisted of resecting the mass by left atrial appendage excision through left atriotomy, closing with running suture. Anatomopathologic examination revealed findings compatible with a hamartomatous-like malformation. Discharged 5 days after surgery, the patient has no symptoms and does not require any drugs 1 year later.