Congenital aneurysm of the left atrium is a rare cardiac anomaly, most commonly detected between the 2nd and 4th decades of life in a symptomatic patient. We report a congenital aneurysm of the left atrium diagnosed at 24 weeks of gestational age, associated with other congenital heart diseases and 47XY, +18 karyotype. The literature of the left atrial aneurysm diagnosed by fetal echocardiography is also reviewed in this report.
Purpose
To explore endothelial function and plasma matrix metalloproteinase‐2 levels and their association with the size and elastic properties of the ascending aorta in the first‐degree relatives (FDRs) with tricuspid aortic valve (TAV) of individuals with bicuspid aortic valve (BAV).
Methods
Twenty‐six patients with BAV without significant valvular dysfunction, 35 FDRs with TAV, and 29 matched healthy controls were analyzed. Two‐dimensional echocardiography and high‐resolution ultrasound were applied to evaluate the size and elasticity of the ascending aorta and the flow‐mediated vasodilation (FMD) of the brachial artery in response to hyperemia.
Results
The aortic diameter was larger in the BAV patients than in the FDRs and controls, and the aortic elastic properties showed larger decreases in the BAV patients. The FDRs had a larger aortic diameter and more impaired elastic properties than the controls. The BAV patients had a significantly lower FMD than the FDRs and controls (P < .001), while the FMD was lower in the FDRs than in the controls (P < .001). The plasma MMP‐2 levels were significantly higher in the BAV patients than in the FDRs (P = .001) and controls (P < .001). Additionally, the FDRs had higher plasma MMP‐2 levels than the controls (P < .001). Pearson correlation analysis revealed that the aortic diameter, distensibility, stiffness index, and strain were significantly associated with FMD and plasma MMP‐2 levels.
Conclusion
Aortic enlargement and impaired elasticity in the FDRs with TAV were associated with impaired endothelial function and increased plasma MMP‐2 concentrations.
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