Cor triatriatum surgery


 * Associate Editors-In-Chief: Priyamvada Singh, M.B.B.S. [mailto:psingh@perfuse.org]; ; Keri Shafer, M.D. [mailto:kshafer@bidmc.harvard.edu]; Assistant Editor(s)-In-Chief: Kristin Feeney, B.S. [mailto:kfeeney@perfuse.org]

Overview
In cor triatriatum, adminstration of effective surgical therapy in a timely manner can greatly impact the patient's prognosis. Considerations must made to evaluate to utilize the most appropriate surgical approach, right atrial or left atrial.

Surgical Therapy

 * The role of percutaneous balloon dilation in managing this condition remains to be determined.
 * It can be treated surgically by removing the membrane dividing the atrium.

Left atrial approach

 * Better if the patient is older, and defect is larger
 * Excise the obstructing diaphragm
 * Enlarge the left atrium as needed and close the interatrial connection

Right atrial approach
Better if the patient is younger, and defect is smaller
 * Locate the diaphragm through the ASD
 * Excise the obstructing diaphragm
 * Close the ASD