Five chambered heart or large atrial appendage aneurysm: A report of two cases

BACKGROUND: Isolated intrapericardial LAA aneurysm is a rare cardiac anomaly which manifests with angina, dyspnea on exertion (DOE), systemic embolization, arrhythmia, and congestive heart failure. CASE REPORT: A 30-year-old female and a 46-year-old male were referred for evaluation of abnormal cardiac contour on chest radiograph and echocardiographic findings and non-specific symptoms. Transesophageal echocardiography suggested left atrial appendage (LAA) mass filled with clots. The mass had no compression on cardiac chambers and global ejection fraction was within normal limits. The intraoperative diagnosis was isolated congenital LAA aneurysm. After confirmation of the diagnosis, it was resected. She was discharged with uneventful postoperative course. At follow-up she was asymptomatic. CONCLUSION: These cases demonstrate the role of on-time surgical approaches in the prevention of fatal complication of this rare cardiac anomaly.