Extrinsic left atrial compression in a patient with achalasia.
Left atrial compression by the esophagus, the stomach, or both is an uncommon but important cause of hemodynamic compromise. Achalasia is a disease of the esophagus with dilatation of the distal part and constriction of the lower oesophageal sphincter. Dilated esophagus is a rare cause of left atrial compression. Timely and precise diagnosis is of paramount importance in cases of left atrial compression and echocardiography enables clinicians to make a differential diagnosis successfully in most cases. Correction of primary pathology will usually lead to the return of normal hemodynamic function. We describe a case of extrinsic left atrial compression caused by the dilated esophagus due to achalasia that caused paroxysms of atrial tachycardia and hemodynamic compromise.
Yüksek Ihtisas Hospital, Cardiology Clinic, Ankara, Turkey. mdmby@yahoo.com
Mehmet Birhan
MB
Yilmaz
Nurcan
N
Arat
Senay Funda
SF
Biyikoglu
Sule
S
Korkmaz
Irfan
I
Sabah
D003251:Constriction, Pathologic / Q000209:etiology; D004931:Esophageal Achalasia / Q000150:complications*; D004947:Esophagus; D006325:Heart Atria; D006331:Heart Diseases / Q000209:etiology*; D006439:Hemodynamics; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013612:Tachycardia, Ectopic Atrial / Q000209:etiology*