Congenital aneurysm of the left atrial appendage is a rare anomaly that can present with systemic embolism, supraventricular tachycardia, and abnormal cardiac silhouette, for which surgical resection is recommended.
May raise suspicion for this rare entity in embolism or arrhythmia; extends sparse case data without supporting practice change.
Congenital aneurysm of the left atrial appendage is a rare anomaly, usually presenting in adult life. The case reported is that of a 55-year-old man who died of cerebral embolism originating from a thrombus in a congenital aneurysm of the left atrial appendage. The cardiac silhouette 11 years previously had suggested a cardiac tumour or a pericardial cyst. As judged frm 14 published cases, the major manifestations of these aneurysms are an abnormal cardiac silhouette in the x-ray, supraventricular tachycardia, and systemic embolism. Angiocardiography appears to be the method of choice in establishing the diagnosis. Resection of th aneurysm is the recommended form of treatment.
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Bramlet et al. (1981) studied this question.
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