Congenital intrapericardial aneurysm of the left atrial appendage

Congenital aneurysmal dilatation of the left atrial appendage is a rare but correctable lesion. It represents a diagnostic dilemma in patients with ca rdiomegaly and is commonly associated with supraventricular arrhythmias and life-threatening systemic embolization. We describe the diagnostic evaluat ion and surgical treatment during 1997 of a patient with congenital aneurys mal dilatation of the left atrial appendage. The patient was discharged pre viously from our hospital in 1967 with the diagnosis of congenital dilatati on of the pulmonary artery. (C) 2000 by The Society of Thoracic Surgeons.