Key result
Conservative management yields complete resolution of post-MVR left atrial dissection over 6 months in stable disease.
Why the study?
Left atrial dissection is a rare cardiac surgery complication with variable clinical presentation, and optimal management remains uncertain.
Case Report (n=1)
No
Conservative management with serial imaging and clinical monitoring can be a safe and effective strategy for hemodynamically stable patients with postoperative left atrial dissection.
Answers are grounded in this paper and cite their sources.
May support serial imaging surveillance in stable post-MVR left atrial dissection; leaves open need for prospective validation.
Left atrial dissection is a rare complication of cardiac surgery, particularly following mitral valve procedures. Its clinical presentation varies, and the optimal management remains uncertain. Here, we report the case of a 76-year-old woman who developed left atrial dissection after mitral valve replacement and endoatriectomy for circumferential “eggshell” calcification of the left atrium. Postoperative echocardiography and cardiac computed tomography revealed a false lumen along the left atrial wall without inflow obstruction or pulmonary venous compromise. Because the patient remained hemodynamically stable and prosthetic valve function was preserved, she was managed conservatively using serial imaging and clinical monitoring. Over the ensuing months, the false lumen progressively regressed, and follow-up imaging at 6 months confirmed complete resolution. This case highlights the potential for spontaneous healing of left atrial dissection and suggests that conservative management may be an appropriate treatment strategy in stable patients without hemodynamic deterioration.
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Choi et al. (2026) conducted a case report in Left atrial dissection (n=1). Conservative management (anticoagulation, rate control, and serial imaging) was evaluated on Resolution of left atrial dissection. Conservative management resulted in complete spontaneous resolution of left atrial dissection over 6 months in a hemodynamically stable patient following mitral valve replacement.
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