title: Aggressive atrial volume reduction for bilateral giant atria improves respiratory function.
abstract: Giant bilateral atria with mitral and tricuspid regurgitation can cause postoperative respiratory dysfunction. In this article, we describe a case of giant atria with poor respiratory function that was improved by atrial volume reduction. A 79-year-old woman was referred to our institution for valve surgery. Her vital capacity was 1,080 mL. The mitral and tricuspid valves were repaired during surgery. We removed a circular section of the left atrial wall. The right atrial wall and interatrial septum were removed; this improved her vital capacity to 1,370 mL. We conclude that aggressive volume reduction of both atria improves respiratory function.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Heart Valve Center, Komaki City Hospital, Komaki City, Aichi, Japan. sawamasa7007bb@nifty.com
authors.forename: Masaru
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sawazaki
authors.forename: Shiro
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Tomari
authors.forename: Tomohiro
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Tsunekawa
authors.forename: Naoto
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Izawa
authors.forename: Naoki
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Tateishi
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D006348:Cardiac Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D006332:Cardiomegaly / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006325:Heart Atria / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D013536:Suture Techniques; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D014463:Ultrasonography; D014797:Vital Capacity / Q000502:physiology*