Giant right atrium: a long-term complication of rheumatic heart disease. Issue 2 (28th February 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Abugroun, Ashraf; Taha, Mohamed; Daoud, Hussein; Ibrahim, Walid
• Is Part Of: Oxford medical case reports. Volume 2020:Issue 2(2020)
• Publication Date: 2020-02-28
• Subjects: Giant right atrium -- rheumatic heart disease -- heart failure; Clinical medicine -- Case studies -- Periodicals; 616.09
• DOI: 10.1093/omcr/omaa011
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2053-8855

Abstract

Abstract: Giant right atrium (RA) is a rare entity often seen during childhood due to congenital anomalies. Limited literature has reported such finding in patients with rheumatic valvular heart disease. Here we present a case of a 68-year-old female with a history of rheumatic valve disease treated with a Starr Edwards mechanical ball-in-cage mitral valve replacement and tricuspid valve annuloplasty ring procedures. The patient developed heart failure and had multiple hospital admissions over three decades for heart failure exacerbations mostly triggered by medication and dietary non-compliance. She eventually developed a giant RA that filled most of her thorax. This case demonstrates an extreme form of cardiac remodeling caused by long-term rheumatic valvular heart disease.