[Aneurysms of the left atrium and left atrial appendage].

BACKGROUND

The authors deal with the problem of rare congenital and acquired aneurysm of the left atrium and auricular appendage. The authors attempted to compare findings on operation with results of preoperative examinations and evaluate the yield of echocardiographic and angiocardiographic examinations.

METHODS AND RESULTS

The authors had the opportunity to encounter this unusual finding of cardiac aneurysms in five patients operated in 1987-1990 on account of an advanced mitral defect associated in two patients with ischaemic heart disease. In all patients acquired aneurysms were involved. In two a large thrombus was found.

CONCLUSIONS

In the diagnosis of aneurysms of the left atrium and auricular appendage transoesophageal echocardiography proved to be the most reliable method.