Contrast echocardiography in the non-invasive diagnosis of giant aneurysm of the right atrial appendage

Abstract

A 57 year-old male patient was admitted to our echocardiography laboratory to rule out thrombus in left atrium before electrical cardioversion of atrial fibrillation. Transoesophageal echocardiography (TEE) demonstrated in the bicaval view, the right atrial appendage measured 10 × 5 cm, area: 42 cm2, volume: 229 mL (Figure, left). A quick injection of 15 cc of echo-contrast fluid (shaken saline/1 cc air), delivered via an antecubital vein, showed filling the right atrial appendage aneurysm (Figure, right). Idiopathic giant congenital aneurysm of the right atrium appendage is a very rare malformation. TEE with contrast echocardiography is very useful in the non-invasive diagnosis of giant right atrial appendage aneurysm. © The Author 2010.