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Ann Thorac Surg 1995;60:1226-1229
© 1995 The Society of Thoracic Surgeons

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Original Articles: Cardiovascular

Massive Calcification of the Left Atrium: Surgical Implications

Departments of Cardiovascular Surgery and Anesthesiology, Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón, Madrid, Spain

Accepted for publication May 30, 1995.

Background. Massive calcification of the atrial walls (``porcelain atrium'') is a rare condition that usually has been reported as an incidental radiologic finding.

Methods. Between January 1988 and June 1993, 971 patients underwent valvular operation at our institution; 21 patients showed extensive calcification of the left atrium. In 8 patients the calcification was massive, involving almost all the atrial surface. The diagnoses were established by radiology and were confirmed at operation. The mean age of these patients (4 men, 4 women) was 55 ± 9.6 years. All had rheumatic valve disease, were on atrial fibrillation, and had undergone at least one operation previously. Pulmonary artery pressure was severely increased, even up to systemic levels, in all patients except 1. Total endoatriectomy of the left atrium and mitral valve replacement were performed. No patient was lost during the follow-up.

Results. Hospital mortality rate was 12.5% (1 patient) and 2 patients died in the late postoperative period. None of these deaths are attributable to the surgical procedure.

Conclusions. In toto endoatriectomy of a massively calcified atrium is an easy to perform technique that helps to replace the mitral valve and close the atrial wall.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				F. Santini, P. Peranzoni, and A. Mazzucco Mitral Valve Replacement Associated With Massive Left Atrial Calcification Ann. Thorac. Surg., May 1, 1998; 65(5): 1456 - 1458. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]