Cor Triatriatum With Repeated Episodes of Syncope in an Eighteen Month-old Girl A rare cause of cardiogenic syncope

• Published in: International Heart Journal Vol. 46; no. 5; pp. 915 - 922
• Main Authors: Lin, Yu-Jan, Lee, Pi-Chang, Meng, C.C. Laura, Hwang, Betau
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Japan International Heart Journal Association 01.09.2005
• Subjects: Cor triatriatum; Cor Triatriatum - complications; Cor Triatriatum - diagnostic imaging; Cor Triatriatum - surgery; Dyspnea - etiology; Echocardiography; Failure to Thrive - etiology; Female; Heart Failure - diagnosis; Humans; Hypertension, Pulmonary - etiology; Infant; Left atrial membrane; Pulmonary hypertension; Recurrence; Syncope; Syncope - etiology
• ISSN: 1349-2365; 1349-3299
• DOI: 10.1536/ihj.46.915

Syncope can be caused by either cardiogenic or noncardiogenic causes. Structural heart diseases should be considered as a possible cause of recurrent episodes of syncope if no other causes are found. We report an 18 month-old girl who presented with recurrent syncope as well as dyspnea, failure to thrive, and frequent episodes of pulmonary infections, suggesting congestive heart failure. A prominent pulmonic component of the second heart sound and congested lungs noted from chest X-rays indicated pulmonary hypertension. An echocardiogram revealed an abnormal membrane with a small orifice in the left atrium (LA). An intact atrial septum and no evidence of other congenital heart diseases were observed. The result after surgical resection of the membrane was good during follow-up. Cor triatriatum may be one of the structural heart diseases responsible for repeated unexplained syncope. An echocardiogram performed by an experienced cardiologist would facilitate the diagnosis considerably and an excellent prognosis can be achieved via surgical resection of the obstructing membrane.