Atrial Septal Aneurysm in Adult Patients

Abstract

As shown previously, TEE is superior to the transthoracic approach in the diagnosis of ASA. The most common abnormalities associated with ASA are interatrial shunts, in particular patent foramen ovale. In this retrospective study, patients with ASA (especially with shunts) showed a high frequency of previous clinical events compatible with cardiogenic embolism; in a significant subgroup of patients, ASA appears to be the only source of embolism, as judged by TEE. Our data are consistent with the view that ASA is a risk factor for cardiogenic embolism, but thrombi attached to ASA as detected by TEE are apparently rare.

Clinical impact of transesophageal echocardiography in patients with stroke without clinical evidence of cardiovascular sources of emboli

“…Association with patent foramen ovale in such patients is frequent 25 , thus making them prone to paradoxical embolism.…”

Effect of Medical Treatment in Stroke Patients With Patent Foramen Ovale

“…ASA was defined as a movement of the atrial septum into the left or right atrium Ն10 mm from its midline position. 26 …”

Impairment of Venous Drainage Due to Atrial Septal Aneurysm During Open-Heart Surgery

“…Other associated congenital cardiac abnormalities shown through echocardiogram include patent foramen ovale, atrial septal defect, mitral valve prolapse, and ventricular septal defect. 2,14 This is the first case report describing decreased venous drainage due to ASA during a routine cardiac case requiring CPB. Venous drainage during cardiopulmonary bypass is determined by a cross sectional area of the lumen of the venous cannula, volume of blood in the cannulated vessel or chamber providing central venous pressure, and hydrostatic pressure difference between the cannula location and the venous reservoir.…”

“…1 By echocardiogram, it is defined as protrusion of the aneurysm greater than 10mm beyond the plane of the atrial septum. 2 With widespread use of TTE in the 1980s, several studies found its prevalence to be ranging from 0.2% to 1.9%. 3,4 A recent study based on TEE put its prevalence at 4.3% 5 and suggests that it is a more sensitive diagnostic tool than TTE.…”