About triatrial heart

What is triatrial heart?

General Discussion

Cor triatriatum is an extremely rare congenital (present at birth) heart defect. Normally, the human heart has four chambers of which two are the atria. These two are separated from each other by a partition (septum) called the atrial septum. The other two chambers, known as ventricles, are also separated by a septum. In cor triatriatum there is a small extra chamber above the left atrium of the heart. The pulmonary veins, returning blood from the lungs, drain into this extra "third atrium." The passage of blood from the lungs into the heart (left atrium and ventricle) is slowed by this extra chamber. Cor triatriatum may eventually lead to features of congestive heart failure and obstruction over time.

What are the symptoms for triatrial heart?

The symptoms of cor triatriatum vary greatly, depending on the size of the opening between the extra chamber and the left atrium. If the opening is small, symptoms usually develop early in infancy and probably will include abnormally Rapid breathing (tachypnea), wheezing, coughing, and/or abnormal accumulation of fluid in the lungs (pulmonary congestion). Progressive enlargement of the heart (cardiomegaly) occurs and often results in congestive heart failure along with abnormally high pressure within the artery that leads to the heart from the lungs (pulmonary artery). Some newborns with cor triatriatum may also have abnormal heart sounds or heart murmurs.

In older people (after childhood), the symptoms of cor triatriatum may include abnormal Swelling of areas of the body (generalized edema), pain and discomfort while breathing (dyspnea), an abnormally rapid heartbeat (tachycardia), and the excessive accumulation of fluid in the lungs (pulmonary congestion). Acute inflammation of the lungs (pneumonia) and bronchial tubes (bronchitis) may occur frequently and may lead to congestive heart failure. Individuals with cor triatriatum are also at increased risk for bacterial infection of the delicate membranes surrounding the heart (endocarditis).

What are the causes for triatrial heart?

The exact cause of cor triatriatum is not known.

What are the treatments for triatrial heart?

Infants with cor triatriatum should be referred to a hospital that can perform sophisticated diagnostic procedures and cardiovascular surgery. Most patients with cor triatriatum will require surgery at a young age, usually before the age of one year.

Prior to surgery, congestive heart failure associated with cor triatriatum may be managed by reducing fluid volume with diuretic drugs and, if necessary, the dietary restriction of fluids and salt. The drug digitalis may also be administered to decrease the heart rate and increase the strength of the heart's contractions. Oxygen therapy may also prove beneficial.

Because people with cor triatriatum are susceptible to bacterial infection of the membranes that surround the heart (endocarditis), any respiratory infection should be treated vigorously and early. Affected individuals should also be given antibiotics before invasive dental procedures (i.e., root canal or extractions) or other surgical procedures to help prevent potentially life-threatening infections.

What are the risk factors for triatrial heart?

An exceedingly uncommon congenital (existing at birth) cardiac abnormality is cor triatriatum/triartial heart.

  • The human heart typically consists of four chambers, of which two are called atria.
    •The atrial septum is a partition (septum) that separates these two from one another.
    •The septum also divides the other two chambers, referred to as ventricles.
    •Over the left atrium of the heart, there is a little additional chamber called cor triatriatum.
    •This additional "third atrium" serves as the drain for the pulmonary veins, which return blood from the lungs. This additional chamber slows the flow of blood from the lungs into the heart's left atrium and ventricle.
    •Over time, cor triatriatum may develop symptoms of blockage and congestive heart failure.
  • The risk factors that can be managed (modified) include high blood pressure, high cholesterol, smoking, diabetes, being overweight or obese, not exercising enough, eating poorly, and stress.
    •Age (just becoming older raises risk), sex (men are often at higher risk of coronary artery disease), family history, and race are those that cannot be controlled (conventional).
    •The primary traditional cardiovascular risk factors for CHD, include smoking, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes mellitus.
Symptoms
Coughing,Difficulty breathing,Heart palpitations,Frequent respiratory infections

Conditions
Blood vessel disease,Heart rhythm problems, congenital heart defects,Heart valve disease,Heart infection.

Drugs
Benazepril,Captopril,Enalapril,Fosinopril,Lisinopril,Moexipril,Perindopril,Quinapril

Is there a cure/medications for triatrial heart?

Cor triatriatum or a triatrial heart is a rare congenital heart defect that may eventually lead to features of congestive heart failure and obstruction over time. Usually, the human heart has four chambers. In the cor triatriatum heart, there is a small extra chamber above the left, which slows the passage of blood from the lungs into the heart.

Cure and medications

  • Surgery: Infants should be referred to a hospital with sophisticated diagnostic procedures and cardiovascular surgery. Reducing fluid volume with diuretic drugs before the surgery can reduce congestive heart failure
  • Healthy lifestyle changes: Adopting a healthy lifestyle by adopting specific dietary restrictions on fluids and salt can help reduce the risks involved in a triatrial heart condition.
  • Medication: The drug digitalis administered decreases the heart rate and strengthens the heart's contractions. Oxygen therapy may also prove beneficial.
  • Devices: Devices implanted to control the heart rhythm, and the most commonly used devices are pacemakers.

Because people with triatrial heart are susceptible to bacterial infection of the membranes surrounding the heart, respiratory infections should be treated vigorously.

Symptoms
Coughing,Difficulty breathing,Heart palpitations,Frequent respiratory infections

Conditions
Blood vessel disease,Heart rhythm problems, congenital heart defects,Heart valve disease,Heart infection.

Drugs
Benazepril,Captopril,Enalapril,Fosinopril,Lisinopril,Moexipril,Perindopril,Quinapril

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