[Surgical treatment of cor triatriatum in 15 patients].

Objective: To review the clinical data of pathological morphology, diagnosis, surgical treatment of cor triatriatum in 15 patients.

Methods: Fifteen patients with a mean age of (14.6+/-10.3) years (range from 6 months to 40 years) were performed operations under extracorporeal circulation. Fourteen of the patients had cor triatriatum sinister, and 1 had cor triatriatum dexter; 12 of the 15 patients had other cardiac abnormalities. The excision of the fibromuscular membrane was accomplished through a right atrial incision in all of the 14 cases, and the associated abnormalities were corrected at the same time.

Results: One patient died after the operation, and the other survivors had good outcome.

Conclusion: Operation is necessary if the diagnosis is clear. The patients generally have good prognosis. Surgical results of cor triatriatum depend on the complexity of associated defects and the adequacy of the repair.