Volume Reduction Procedures in Giant Left Atrium

Abstract

Partial left atrial resection was performed in 8 males and 12 females, aged 19 to 63 years, with giant left atrium and mitral valve disease. Preoperatively, 18 patients had atrial fibrillation, and 2 had normal sinus rhythm. Echocardiography revealed left atrial thrombosis in 3 patients and spontaneous echo contrast in 5. The lateral wall of the left atrium, the region between the pulmonary veins, the roof of the atrium, and the tissue parallel to the mitral annulus were resected. Resection was performed using the cardiac autotransplantation technique in 6 patients. The mitral valve was replaced in 9 patients and reconstructed in 11. Mean aortic crossclamp time was 101 ± 35 minutes and total perfusion time was 135 ± 26 minutes. Mean follow-up was 20.4 ± 1.1 months. There was no operative mortality. One patient (5%) died suddenly in the late postoperative period. Left atrial volume was reduced from 265.3 ± 125 mL to 83 ± 43 mL (p < 0.01). Left atrial diameter decreased from 8.02 ± 1.31 cm to 4.4 ± 1.23 cm (p < 0.01). Sinus rhythm was detected in 13 patients (65%) postoperatively. No left atrial thrombosis or spontaneous echo contrast were found during follow-up. Statistically significant reductions in cardiac size and improvements in functional capacity were observed.