Congenital left atrial appendage aneurysm: Prenatal diagnosis and outcome of a rare cardiac abnormality

Perinatal Outcomes of Fetuses with Prenatally Diagnosed Atrial Appendage Aneurysm

To evaluate the characteristics and outcomes of fetuses with atrial appendage aneurysm (AAA) diagnosed by fetal echocardiography. The fetal echocardiography records of 1956 fetuses were evaluated retrospectively. Nine pregnancies who had been diagnosed with fetal AAA prenatally and evaluated after delivery were enrolled in the study. Perinatal and obstetric outcomes were analyzed. The incidence of fetal AAA in our series was 0.46%. Seven fetuses (77.8%) had right AAA, 1 fetus had left AAA (11.1%) and 1 fetus (11.1%) had bilateral AAA. The average gestational age at the first observation and/or diagnosis and gestational age at delivery was 22.3 ± 1.9 weeks and 34.7 ± 4.9 weeks, respectively. Incidences of associated cardiac anomaly, pericardial effusion, and nonimmune hydrops fetalis (NIHF) were 44.4%, 22.2%, and 11.1%, respectively. There was no chromosomal abnormality detected in 4 pregnancies where karyotype analysis was performed. There were 2 neonatal (22.2%) and 1 fetal (11.1%) deaths in our study group. Detailed cardiac and structural ultrasonographic examination should be performed in pregnancies with fetal AAA.

Left atrial appendage aneurysm: a descriptive systematic review of 177 cases

INTRODUCTION

The left atrial appendage (LAA) is a distinct structure with unique developmental and structural characteristics. The LAA is involved in the formation of intra-atrial thrombi, particularly in patients with conditions such as atrial fibrillation and mitral valve disease. Left atrial appendage aneurysms (LAAA) are rare abnormal dilations of the LAA that may cause hazardous complications. However, there are limited data on the demographic features, clinical characteristics, management modalities, and prognosis of LAAA patients. This study aimed to conduct a systematic review of the reported cases of LAAA to explore the baseline characteristics, presentation, preferred diagnostic modalities, and optimal management of LAAA.

METHODS

A systematic review was conducted following the PRISMA guidelines. We performed a literature search using MEDLINE/PubMed and Google Scholar. Eligible articles published between January 1940 and November 2022 were included. The eligibility criteria included case reports and case series of LAAA in English language articles. The data extracted included information on the authors, publication year, patient characteristics, signs/symptoms, diagnostic procedures, treatments, and outcomes.

RESULTS

We identified 177 patients with LAAA in our study. There was a slight female predominance (50.9%), and the mean age was 29.7 years. Palpitations were the most common symptom reported, followed by shortness of breath and thromboembolic events. Transthoracic and transesophageal echocardiograms were the most common modalities for investigating and diagnosing LAAA, and the mean size of the aneurysm was 7.8 (5.7-9.6) × 5.9 (5.0-6.2) cm. Surgical resection is the treatment of choice for most patients with excellent prognoses. Older age and the presence of arrhythmia were significantly associated with thrombus formation and embolic events.

CONCLUSION

Left atrial appendage aneurysm is a rare but potentially life-threatening heart pathology that can lead to arrhythmias and thromboembolic events. Surgical resection appears to be the primary treatment option in the current literature, and most patients show improvement or are asymptomatic after treatment. Additionally, alternative approaches, such as transcatheter closure of LAAA, ablation, and medical treatments, have been reported as viable alternatives to surgical intervention.

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

Introduction  Congenital malformations of the right atrium are rare heart defects with only a few cases described prenatally. Early diagnosis of these anomalies is becoming increasingly important for proper follow-up and due to the possibility of serious complications such as supraventricular arrhythmia, thromboembolic events, and sudden death. Objective  The atrial appendage aneurysm (AAA) is a dilatation of the atrial appendage. It is considered an extremely rare congenital anomaly. However, this condition is clinically significant because it leads to atrial arrhythmias, recurrent emboli, heart failure, and chest pain. In addition, it is possible to recognize AAA prenatally with fetal echocardiography, even if it rarely happens. However, few fetal AAA cases have been reported in the literature. Study Design  We report a case of a fetal AAA; diagnosed prenatally and with postnatal confirmation. We undertook a systematic review of studies on fetal AAA to synthesize available knowledge on diagnosing and managing this rare condition. Results  A total of eight studies describing 24 patients were identified and analyzed. Conclusion  Despite their rarity, fetal atrial appendage aneurysms necessitate early detect on due to associated severe complications. Our findings emphasize the importance of prenatal diagnosis through fetal echocardiography and highlight the need for further research to optimize management strategies and improve outcomes for affected individuals.

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

Left atrial appendage aneurysm (LAAA) is a rare cardiac pathology that is often identified in adulthood. There are a myriad of presentations related to atrial appendage enlargement, but most are asymptomatic. Pediatric cases of LAAA are extremely rare. We report a case of an incidental giant LAAA found in a healthy 6-year-old boy. He was successfully treated with surgical resection. A review of the literature shows that the presentation of LAAA in pediatrics likely involves cardiac or respiratory symptoms but can also be incidental findings. Similar to adults, diagnosis requires cardiac imaging, with echocardiography being the mainstay. Surgical intervention is indicated in symptomatic and most asymptomatic patients to prevent complications. More research is warranted into the optimal timing of surgery and alternative surgical approaches for complex cases.

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

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.