title: Right atrial inflow obstruction of the inferior vena cava due to atrial septal aneurysm and an elongated Eustachian valve.
abstract: We describe a patient with oedema of the legs and ascites due to right atrial (RA) inflow obstruction, caused by atrial septal aneurysm (ASA) and an elongated Eustachian valve (EV). Both structural abnormalities created a narrow inflow channel to the free RA cavity. RA inflow obstruction is usually related to constrictive pericardial disease and pericardial tamponade. Other cardiac causes of RA inflow obstruction are rare and include lipomatous hypertrophy of interatrial septum, tumour or thrombus in the right atrium (RA). Reports, describing inflow obstruction in the RA as a consequence of an elongated EV or an ASA, are extremely rare.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, Ziekenhuis Walcheren, Koudekerkseweg 88, Postbus 3200, 4380 DD Vlissingen, The Netherlands. j.walpot@zzlnd.nl
authors.forename: Jeroen
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Walpot
authors.forename: Corstiaan
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Storm
authors.forename: Johan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Bosmans
authors.forename: Bernard P
authors.initials: BP
authors.lastname: Paelinck
authors.forename: W Hans
authors.initials: WH
authors.lastname: Pasteuning
authors.forename: Jenne
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wielenga
authors.forename: Cees
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Klazen
authors.forename: Raymond
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Hokken
authors.forename: Jetze
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Sorgedrager
authors.forename: Jules
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Teeuwen
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D016280:Atrial Function, Right; D054087:Atrial Septum; D005260:Female; D006322:Heart Aneurysm / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D006325:Heart Atria / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D006351:Heart Valves / Q000002:abnormalities*; D006439:Hemodynamics; D006801:Humans; D014463:Ultrasonography; D014682:Vena Cava, Inferior / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*