A case report of an elderly male with isolated coronary sinus atrial septal defect

BACKGROUND: Isolated coronary sinus atrial septal defect (CSASD) is a rare congenital cardiac anomaly, comprising <1% of atrial septal defects. Elderly patients with this anomaly are even more uncommon and sometimes overlooked. CASE SUMMARY: A 73-year-old man with a history of electrical defibrillation therapy for atrial flutter presented with worsening exertional dyspnoea. Cardiac examination revealed CSASD without persistent left superior vena cava, showing only moderate tricuspid regurgitation. Surgical repair of the defect and regurgitant valve improved symptoms dramatically. DISCUSSION: Elderly patients with atrial arrhythmias might show uncommon presentations of congenital heart disease. Cardiologists should pay attention to enlarged right ventricle, pulmonary artery, and, in particular, enlarged coronary sinus. Direct closure with interrupted sutures secured with pledgets is effective in some case of terminal type of CSASD.