Left atrial isomerism in the adolescence: report of two cases

J Formos Med Assoc. 1991 Jan;90(1):94-8.

Abstract

Atrial isomerism is very rare in adolescence. Two cases of left atrial isomerism are reported here in 2 females, aged 21 and 19 years. They had presented with cyanosis and dyspnea since childhood. High kilovoltage filter films showed a bilateral morphologically left bronchus. Cardiac catheterization in Case 1 revealed normal pulmonary artery pressure, severe subvalvular pulmonic stenosis, a double outlet right ventricle, a significant oxygen step-up at the atrial level and moderate systemic oxygen desaturation; while Case 2 disclosed pulmonary hypertension and mild systemic oxygen desaturation. Both cases had the following anatomical features: ipsilateral connection of pulmonary veins to the bilateral morphological left atrium; interrupted inferior vena cave with azygos or hemiazygos continuation; total anomalous hepatic venous return to the right-sided atrium; complete atrioventricular canal. The diagnoses were confirmed in both cases at surgical correction.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Angiography
  • Atrial Function, Left
  • Cardiac Catheterization
  • Echocardiography
  • Electrocardiography
  • Female
  • Heart / physiopathology
  • Heart Atria / abnormalities*
  • Heart Atria / diagnostic imaging
  • Heart Atria / physiopathology
  • Heart Defects, Congenital / diagnosis*
  • Heart Defects, Congenital / diagnostic imaging
  • Heart Defects, Congenital / physiopathology
  • Humans
  • Sex Factors
  • Syndrome