PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - Gandhi, N M
AU  - Greaves, M
AU  - Brooks, N H
TI  - Rare case of heart failure caused by compression of the left atrium by a thoracic aortic aneurysm
AID  - 10.1136/hrt.2003.022863
DP  - 2004 Feb 01
TA  - Heart
PG  - e9--e9
VI  - 90
IP  - 2
4099  - http://heart.bmj.com/content/90/2/e9.short
4100  - http://heart.bmj.com/content/90/2/e9.full
SO  - Heart2004 Feb 01; 90
AB  - A 61 year old patient was found to have an aneurysm extending from the aortic root to the suprarenal region. He underwent first stage surgery with aortic root and arch replacement, prosthetic aortic valve replacement, and coronary artery bypass grafting. Four weeks later, he presented with breathlessness and signs of heart failure and pleural effusion. Computed tomography showed that the left atrium was compressed between the aortic aneurysm posteriorly and the left ventricle and sternum anteriorly. Obstruction of the superior vena cava, bronchus, oesophagus, and rarely right atrium by an aortic aneurysm has been described before but presentation with left atrial compression has not been reported.