Cor triatriatum im Erwachsenenalter

Cor triatriatum was diagnosed in a 32-year-old woman (Case 1) and a 36-year-old man (Case 2). The definitive diagnosis in Case 1 was made by transthoracic 2-D echocardiography, in Case 2 (after a chance finding) only after additional transoesophageal echocardiography. Colour Doppler echo in Case 1 provided information on the number and localization of membrane openings, while in Case 2 simultaneous measurement of maximal flow velocity and normal right-sided pressures indicated that the anomaly was haemodynamically insignificant owing to the size of the central opening in the membrane (maximal diameter 2.1 cm). In Case 1, abnormal haemodynamic findings on right-heart catheterization provided the indication for surgery and the membrane was successfully removed. Postoperatively the patient was much improved and cardiac catheterization demonstrated normal values.