Malformation of the Atrial Septum with Hemodynamic Equivalence to Partial Anomalous Pulmonary Venous Connection and Difficult Differentiation from Cor Triatriatum in an Infant

Abstract

Partial anomalous pulmonary venous connection is a relatively common congenital heart defect. Cor triatriatum is a rare congenital heart anomaly that typically result in congestive heart failure due to pulmonary venous obstruction. Discrimination between an anomalous pulmonary venous connection and cor triatriatum is important for surgical treatment; however, an accurate diagnosis is sometimes difficult. We surgically corrected an atrial septal malformation with hemodynamic equivalence to partial anomalous pulmonary venous connection in an infant. Discrimination was difficult between this combination and cor triatriatum combined with malformation of the atrial septum primum and secundum. Echocardiography and cardiac catheterization did not provide sufficient information on intracardiac structures. Preoperative 3D-CT was useful for anatomical diagnosis and determination of the surgical septation line.