title: Inverted left atrial appendage bonded to atrial septum.
abstract: Inverted left atrial appendage (LAA) is a rare surgical complication. Our patient, a boy aged 2 years, was diagnosed with a partial atrioventricular defect with mild regurgitation of the left atrioventricular valve and a large primum atrial septal defect. Direct postoperative transesophageal echocardiography revealed a new left atrial mass attached to the atrial septum, without left ventricle inflow obstruction. Out of concern about the nature of this mass, we chose surgical direct examination. Intraoperatively, we diagnosed it as an inverted LAA accidentally attached to the atrial septum suture line. Awareness of this condition can avoid unnecessary diagnostic and therapeutic procedures.
authors.affiliation: Pediatric Cardiology Department, S. João Hospital, Oporto, Portugal. claudiammoura@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Cláudia Maria Caldas
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Moura
authors.forename: Patrícia Isabel
authors.initials: PI
authors.lastname: Costa Morais Caldas
authors.forename: António Manuel
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Rodrigues-Sousa
authors.forename: José Carlos
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Areias
authors.forename: Jorge Manuel Santos
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Almeida
mesh_terms: D020517:Atrial Appendage / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D002315:Cardiopulmonary Bypass; D002675:Child, Preschool; D017548:Echocardiography, Transesophageal; D006343:Heart Septal Defects / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery; D006344:Heart Septal Defects, Atrial / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008944:Mitral Valve Insufficiency / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery; D011183:Postoperative Complications