ABSTRACT
Giant left atrium (LA) in association with mitral valve disease is a significant risk factor for mortality and morbidity. It may cause obstruction of the bronchus, pulmonary artery, inferior vena caval orifice, or left ventricle, and has also required prolonged hospital stay. We describe our experience of left atrial reduction by means of circular LA resection concomitant with mitral valve plasty in 2 children with severe mitral regurgitation (MR) and giant LA. Case 1 was a 1-year-old boy, who had severe MR and giant LA, presenting with left bronchial obstruction. He underwent mitral valve plasty and circular LA resection. His LA volume, which was calculated using enhanced chest CT examination, was decreased by 23% postoperatively, comparing that before the operation. The cardiothoracic ratio on chest X-ray changed from 60% to 49%, and his sequential symptoms from giant LA disappeared. His postoperative course was uneventful and he was discharged on postoperative day 21. Case 2 was a 12-year-old girl with severe MR and giant LA. Her LA together with the sternum and spine compressed the right atrium and caused right heart failure. She underwent mitral valve plasty and circular LA resection. Her LA volume was decreased by preoperative 22%. Cardiothoracic ratio on chest X-ray changed from 63% to 57%. Her sequential symptoms from giant LA disappeared. Her postoperative course was uneventful and she was discharged 28 days after the operation. The circular LA resection technique reduced LA volume effectively, and the patients became free of clinical symptoms. Even in children, this procedure should be indicated in selective cases who presented clinical symptoms caused by the expanded LA.