A novel technique for giant left atrium reduction

• Published in: European journal of cardio-thoracic surgery Vol. 20; no. 2; pp. 412 - 414
• Main Authors: Sinatra, Riccardo, Pulitani, Ivana, Antonazzo, Andrea, Melina, Giovanni
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Amsterdam Elsevier Science B.V 01-08-2001; Elsevier Science
• Subjects: Atriomegaly; Biological and medical sciences; Cardiac Surgical Procedures; Cardiomegaly - surgery; Dilatation, Pathologic; Heart Atria - pathology; Heart Atria - surgery; Heart Valve Prosthesis Implantation; Humans; Left atrial reduction; Male; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Mitral Valve; Mitral valve replacement; Surgery (general aspects). Transplantations, organ and tissue grafts. Graft diseases; Surgery of the heart; Atriomegaly; Left atrial reduction; Mitral valve replacement; Heart; Human; Mitral valve; Cardiovascular disease; Replacement; Left atrium; Case study; Reduction; Treatment; Combined surgery; Cardiac valvular disease; Dilatation; Complication; Technique; Mitral valve disease
• ISSN: 1010-7940; 1873-734X
• DOI: 10.1016/S1010-7940(01)00802-8

We herein describe a safe and reproducible technique for left atrial volume reduction in patients with a giant left atrium. In a 56-year-old patient undergoing redo mitral valve replacement, the left atrium measured 18×20×17 cm occupying the middle-lower segment of the right hemithorax with compression of the adjacent organs. The left atrial volume was reduced by triangular resections of the atrial wall and the mitral valve was replaced using a mechanical prosthesis. The postoperative course was uneventful and the left atrial diameter was 11.2 cm at the latest control.