CASE REPORTS   

Minerva Cardioangiologica 2006 December;54(6):789-92

Copyright © 2006 EDIZIONI MINERVA MEDICA

language: English

Lipomatous hypertrophy of the interatrial septum. Description of a clinical case and literature review

Riva L., Banfi C., Gaeta R., Viganò M.

¹ Division of Cardiac Surgery IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo University of Pavia School of Medicine, Pavia, Italy 2 Divison of Cardiac Surgery Azienda Ospedaliera G. Martino University of Messina, Messina, Italy

Lipomatous hypertrophy of the interatrial septum is a rare benign cardiac disorder characterised by the accumulation of adipose tissue; data from several post mortem surveys report how the disorder represents 0.6% of all benign cardiac tumours. Generally asymptomatic, it frequently constitutes an incidental post mortem finding. The disorder may at times lead to a pumping deficit associated to congestive heart failure or determine an abnormal heart rhythm leading even to sudden death. Lipomatous hypertrophy can at times lead to problems in differential diagnosis of the disorder from other tumours or heart diseases. Surgical removal produces excellent short and long-term results. We describe a case of lipomatous hypertrophy of the interatrial septum associated to coronary disease diagnosed by means of transesophageal echocardiography. The diagnostic and treatment techniques applied are discussed and a literature review is done.