Left Atrial Compression due to Descending Aorta

Abstract

Left atrium is vulnerable to compression of the adjacent structures. Left atrium has close anatomic relationship with descending aorta. Thus; aneurysm, dissection, or abnormal course of descending aorta may lead to left atrial extrinsic compression. Manifestation may be either asymptomatic or symptomatic due to hemodynamic compromise. Transtorasic echocardiography is diagnostic modality of choice. Computed tomography may yield contributive and complementary data in addition to echocardiography. We present two cases of extrinsic left atrial compression by descending aorta, which are asymptomatic or resulting with hemodynamic compromise.