Cor triatriatum in an 86-year-old woman: initial presentation with pulmonary hypertension discovered during preoperative evaluation

Akintunde AA
Correspondence: Dr Akintunde Adeseye A, iakintunde2@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT
Cor triatriatum is a congenital heart malformation that is characterised by the division of the left or right atrium into two separate chambers by a membrane or diaphragm. Reports among adults are scarce, as most cases are diagnosed during childhood. The risk of mortality is increased when cor triatriatum is complicated by pulmonary hypertension. This is a report of an 86-year-old woman with World Health Organization Group 2 pulmonary hypertension secondary to cor triatriatum, discovered during preoperative workup. Echocardiography showed a membrane dividing the left atrium into two. Doppler studies revealed a reversal of normal flow, similar to mitral stenosis. The right ventricle was dilated, with reduced long axis function.

Keywords: congenital heart malformation, cor triatriatum, echocardiography, pulmonary hypertension
Singapore Med J 2011; 52(10): e203-e205