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Atrial septal aneurysms in childhood: prevalence, classification, and concurrent abnormalities

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  07 June 2013

Andreas Giannopoulos
Affiliation:
Paediatric Cardiology Unit, AHEPA University Hospital, Greece
Christoforos Gavras*
Affiliation:
Paediatric Cardiology Unit, AHEPA University Hospital, Greece
Stavroula Sarioglou
Affiliation:
Paediatric Cardiology Unit, AHEPA University Hospital, Greece
Fotini Agathagelou
Affiliation:
Paediatric Cardiology Unit, AHEPA University Hospital, Greece
Irene Kassapoglou
Affiliation:
Paediatric Cardiology Unit, AHEPA University Hospital, Greece
Fani Athanassiadou
Affiliation:
B Department of Paediatrics, AHEPA University Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece
*
Correspondence to: C. Gavras, MD, PhD, Paediatric Cardiology Unit, AHEPA University Hospital, Stilp Kyriakidi 1, Thessaloniki 54636, Greece. Tel: +00302351029822; Fax: +00302310994736; E-mail: [email protected]

Abstract

Objectives: This study sought to investigate the prevalence of atrial septal aneurysms in the paediatric population and to define coexisting abnormalities and their incidence. Background: Few papers refer to the prevalence of atrial septal aneurysms in childhood. Methods: We enrolled a total of 4522 children aged more than 12 months who underwent a transthoracic echocardiography. Atrial septal aneurysm was defined as a protrusion of the interatrial septum or part of it >15 mm beyond the plane of the atrial septum or phasic excursion of the interatrial septum during the cardiorespiratory cycle of at least 15 mm in total amplitude and a diameter of the base of the aneurysm of at least 15 mm. Results: Atrial septal aneurysms were found in 47 children (1.04%). They involved almost the entire septum in 14 patients (28.89%) and were limited to the fossa ovalis in 33 (71.11%). An atrial septal aneurysm was an isolated structural defect in 17 (35.56%). In 30 (64.44%) patients, it was associated with interatrial shunting – atrial septal defect and patent foramen ovale. At the echo follow-up after a year, no changes were recorded. Conclusions: Prevalence of atrial septal aneurysms is almost 1%. The most common abnormalities associated are interatrial shunts, that is, a patent foramen ovale and an atrial septal defect. From a medical point of view, it is suggested that no action is to be taken during childhood, as a child with an atrial septal aneurysm is not at increased risk compared with a child without one. Follow-up is scheduled on an individual basis.

Type
Original Articles
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2013 

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