Aster Hospital, Mankhool, has successfully diagnosed and managed a rare heart condition known as cor triatriatum sinister in a 51-year-old man who sought medical attention for chest pain. This unusual condition, characterized by the heart having three atria instead of the usual two, was identified without the need for surgery, showcasing the hospital’s leading-edge capabilities in cardiac care.
Cor triatriatum sinister is an extremely rare congenital anomaly, with the left atrium of the heart divided into two chambers by a membrane, effectively creating an additional atrial chamber. This particular patient’s heart, while typically having four chambers, presented with a total of five due to this anomaly, with the extra chamber forming within the left atrium.
Patients with this condition often require thorough evaluation for associated congenital heart defects, as 70% of cases have an accompanying Atrial Septal Defect (ASD). The anomaly may present symptoms early in life or remain asymptomatic until adulthood, depending on the size of the opening between the chambers and whether it restricts blood flow.
Under the expertise of Dr. Sachin Upadhyaya, Cardiology Specialist at Aster Hospital, the team’s prompt identification and treatment allowed the patient to quickly return to his normal life. Dr. Upadhyaya highlighted the importance of comprehensive heart checks for adults over 35, particularly for those experiencing unusual symptoms, to detect underlying conditions promptly.
The patient’s symptoms included chest pain and heaviness exacerbated by activity, lasting two weeks. Advanced diagnostic techniques, including ECG, echocardiography, and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR), were employed to confirm the diagnosis of cor triatriatum sinister. Remarkably, the condition was managed non-surgically, and the patient became symptom-free within a few days, continuing to do well.
Cor triatriatum sinister occurs in only 0.004% of the general population and represents a fraction of all congenital heart anomalies. Its successful management at Aster Hospital Mankhool without surgery underscores the effectiveness of comprehensive evaluation and non-surgical treatment approaches for rare cardiac conditions.