Prenatally diagnosed left atrial appendage aneurysm with various postnatal imaging investigations: A case report

Abstract

A congenital left atrial appendage aneurysm (LAAA) is a rare cardiac malformation, that is, usually diagnosed in adulthood. It is rarely diagnosed prenatally. In most cases, surgical resection is recommended soon after the diagnosis has been made due to the risk of arrhythmia and thrombotic events. The present report describes a case of LAAA that was prenatally diagnosed and was asymptomatic postnatally. Imaging revealed the relation of the cardiac and airway structures around the LAAA in detail. The patient underwent surgical resection of the LAAA successfully at 7 months of age and is currently healthy at 5 years of age.

Prenatal Diagnosis of a Right Atrial Appendage Aneurysm: Case Report and Review of the Literature

“…Hence, eight studies met the inclusion criteria and were incorporated into the systematic review. 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 All the included studies were case reports, and one retrospective study was published from 2009 to 2021, describing 24 patients. The main characteristics of these studies are listed in Table 1 .…”

“…The main characteristics of these studies are listed in Table 1 . Seven studies included were case reports, 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 and only one was a retrospective study. 15 The maternal age was reported only in four studies, 8 10 11 15 as shown in Table 1 .…”

“…15 The gestational age and delivery route are extremely heterogeneous due to the small size of the sample and the variety of data collected. After birth, 18 newborns were asymptomatic, 8,9,11,13,15 one newborn had mild respiratory distress and moderate to severe mitral regurgitation without structural abnormality, 12 another one had an increase in the size of the aneurysm with evidence of right ventricular impingement, 14 In three cases, the aneurysm disappeared. 15 Regarding postpartum management, four babies had an elective surgery with full recovery at follow-up, 8,9,14,15 one had an urgent surgery due to the respiratory distress, and moderate to severe mitral regurgitation described above, 14 12 patients are still in medical or observational followup.…”

Case Report: One heart with two lobes: a rare infantile congenital giant left atrial appendage aneurysm

“…Diagnostic imaging, including echocardiography and computed tomography, plays a crucial role in confirming the diagnosis and assessing the extent of the aneurysm ( 11 , 12 ). Fetal echocardiography could even detect LAAA if the lesion is large enough ( 13 , 14 ). The characteristic cystic appearance and connection to the left atrium helps to differentiate it from other extracardiac mass or abnormalities.…”

Left atrial appendage aneurysm in pediatrics: Case study and literature review

“…Symptomatic neonates have been operated on as early as 1 day old ( 33 ). However, for asymptomatic neonates with fetal diagnoses, the question remains what indications should guide the timing of surgery ( 34 – 36 ).…”