Cited 6 times since 2015 (0.7 per year) source: EuropePMC BMC cardiovascular disorders, Volume 15, 14 2 2015, Pages 68 Cathether-based interventional strategies for cor triatriatum in the adult - feasibility study through a hybrid approach. Li WW, Koolbergen DR, Bouma BJ, Hazekamp MG, de Mol BA, de Winter RJ
Background
Cor triatriatum is a rare congenital cardiac abnormality, consisting of an obstructing membrane between the pulmonary veins and the mitral valve in varying patterns. The entitiy can mimick the pathophysiology of mitral stenosis, necessitating surgical resection. Occasionally, percutaneous balloon dilatation of the membrane has been successfully performed.
Case presentation
We report two cases with cor triatriatum where intraoperative balloon dilatation of the membrane was attempted followed by surgical resection, to explore the feasibility of cathether-based interventional strategies for cor triatriatum.
Conclusions
Various anatomical variations exist of cor triatriatum, depending on the drainage of the pulmonary veins and the drainage of the proximal chamber in the right or left atrium. Only isolated forms of cor triatriatum where all pulmonary veins ultimately drain into the left atrium can be recommended for percutaneous strategies. In addition, several anatomical characteristics should be considered to predict technical success of cathether-based interventional strategies, such as the location of the membrane, the degree of pulmonary vein stenosis, the extent of calcification, and the presence of other (congenital) cardiovascular abnormalities. Furthermore, long-term efficacy of these strategies remains to be confirmed. As such, surgical treatment of cor triatriatum remains the mainstay of treatment in adult patients, especially when other cardiovascular anomalies are present which require surgical correction.
