BUDD-CHIARI-SYNDROME AS LATE COMPLICATION OF SECUNDUM ATRIAL SEPTAL-DEFECT CLOSURE

A young adult patient, in whom 20 years previously a secundum atrial s eptal defect had been closed surgically, presented with symptoms of a Budd-Chiari syndrome, cirrhosis of the liver, ascites, and edema of th e lower legs. The inferior vena cava-right atrial junction was obstruc ted by a calcified Teflon patch and shrinkage of the surrounding tissu e. Augmentation of the inferior vena cava-right atrial junction with a Gore-Tex patch resulted in unobstructed inflow into the right atrium. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science B.V.