Revista portuguesa de cardiologia : orgão oficial da Sociedade Portuguesa de Cardiologia = Portuguese journal of cardiology : an official journal of the Portuguese Society of Cardiology
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Cor triatriatum sinistrum is a rare congenital cardiac anomaly in which the left atrium is divided into two compartments by a fibromuscular membrane. In most cases, the two cavities communicate through one or more openings. ⋯ The authors present four cases of cor triatriatum sinistrum diagnosed in different clinical contexts and age-groups. In all cases the diagnosis was based on echocardiographic findings (transthoracic and transesophageal) and was supplemented by other imaging modalities.
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Atrial septal defects (ASD) are among the most common congenital anomalies and account for 10% of congenital heart disease in the pediatric age-group and 30% in adults. Closure is indicated when there is evidence of hemodynamic significance or after a paradoxical embolic event. Ten years ago, percutaneous closure became the treatment of choice in our center for all patients with a clear indication and favorable anatomy. In this paper we report the experience of this first decade. ⋯ In this population the success rate was high and most of the complications were minor. The results of this collaboration between adult and pediatric cardiologists in the first ten years of activity confirm the safety and efficacy of percutaneous closure of septal defects, when there is careful patient selection and a standardized technique.