Aorta--right atrial communication. Report of an unusual case

J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg. 1980 Dec;80(6):941-4.

Abstract

An unusual aneurysmal aorta--right atrial communication was found in a 25-year-old man with a rounded mass in the right cardiophrenic angle. Differential diagnoses included ruptured aneurysm of the sinus of Valsalva, coronary arteriovenous fistula, rupture of a dissecting aneurysm of the ascending aorta into the right atrium, and pseudoaneurysm of the right coronary artery followed by formation of a fistula between the aneurysm and the right atrium. Closure of the communication was performed under cardiopulmonary bypass. Complete absence of the right superior vena cava with a large persistent left superior vena cava draining to the coronary sinus was an unexpected finding at operation. The origin of the communication is not known; possible anomalous coronary and noncoronary origins are considered.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aorta / surgery*
  • Aortic Aneurysm / complications*
  • Aortic Aneurysm / diagnosis
  • Aortic Aneurysm / surgery
  • Aortography
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Heart Atria / abnormalities*
  • Heart Atria / surgery
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Vena Cava, Superior / abnormalities*