Congenital division of the left atrium: the influence of associated congenital lesions on the timing and mode of presentation.
OBJECTIVE
Congenital division of an atrium is commonly associated with other cardiac malformations, which may influence presentation.


METHODS
Cases diagnosed at our institution between 1980 and 1997 were reviewed, to determine whether associated lesions influence presentation.


RESULTS
52 patients were diagnosed with atrial division (49 left, 3 right), mean age 4.8 yr. Patients could be divided according to age at diagnosis. Group 1: 32 patients aged < or = 1 yr. 14 patients had associated cardiac malformations other than atrial septal defect (ASD). Presentation was with pulmonary oedema. Group 2: 20 patients > 1 yr. 5 patients had associated major malformations other than ASD. Commonest presentation--isolated shortness of breath. Fifty patients underwent membrane resection and correction of associated anomalies (4% mortality). At follow-up (mean 12 yr) all patients were in NYHA class I or II.


CONCLUSIONS
Patients with division of the atrium present early in infancy and with more severe symptoms when associated with other cardiac malformations.
Alkhulaifi
A M
AM
Marie Lannelongue Hôpital, Université Paris-Sud, France. abdulalkh@btinternet.com
Serraf
A
A
Lacour-Gayet
F
F
Belli
E
E
Planché
C
C
D000015:Abnormalities, Multiple / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000601:surgery; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017668:Age of Onset; D000368:Aged; D006328:Cardiac Catheterization; D006348:Cardiac Surgical Procedures; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D017548:Echocardiography, Transesophageal; D005260:Female; D006325:Heart Atria / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000601:surgery; D006330:Heart Defects, Congenital / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000601:surgery; D006439:Hemodynamics; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors