Key result
Elective resection and PFO closure successfully resolves a giant left atrial appendage aneurysm.
Why the study?
Left atrial appendage aneurysms carry inherent risks of arrhythmia and thromboembolic complications, requiring tailored operative planning based on morphology and associated anomalies.
Case Report (n=1)
No
This case report describes the successful surgical management of a rare giant left atrial appendage aneurysm and PFO in an adolescent, proposing a stepwise approach for operative planning.
Answers are grounded in this paper and cite their sources.
Elective resection may warrant consideration in select adolescent cases; leaves open need for prospective randomized confirmation.
A 14-year-old female was incidentally found to have a giant left atrial appendage aneurysm (LAAA) and patent foramen ovale (PFO) on computed tomography, confirmed by transthoracic echocardiography. Given the inherent risk of arrhythmia and thromboembolic complications associated with LAAA, she underwent elective resection and PFO closure via median sternotomy with cardiopulmonary bypass. We discuss preoperative evaluation and surgical technique, emphasizing how aneurysm morphology, associated cardiac anomalies, and intraatrial thrombus influence choice of cardiopulmonary bypass, use of cardioplegic arrest, and surgical exposure. Based on a review of the literature, we propose a stepwise approach to guide operative planning for this rare condition.
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Mihailescu et al. (2026) conducted a case report in Giant left atrial appendage aneurysm and patent foramen ovale (n=1). Elective resection and PFO closure via median sternotomy with cardiopulmonary bypass was evaluated. Elective resection and patent foramen ovale closure via median sternotomy was successfully performed in a 14-year-old female with an incidentally found giant left atrial appendage aneurysm.
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