Ann Thorac Surg 1996;62:1192
© 1996 The Society of Thoracic Surgeons
Invited Commentary
Invited Commentary
Paolo Angelini, MD
Department of Cardiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Leachman Cardiology Associates, PO Box 20206, Houston, TX 77225-0206
See also page 1190.
This article deals with a fairly frequent, even though commonly unrecognized condition (atrial septal aneurysm). The causal relationship with stroke is mostly conjectural and difficult to prove in individual cases. Before a general indication to surgical intervention is recommended, there should be a randomized study comparing several options (observation only, routine long-term antiplatelet or antithrombin medication, or operation). Obviously, to collect an adequate number of patients will require a multicenter study (probably based on consecutive patients studied by transesophageal echocardiography).
Related Article
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Surgical Elimination of an Atrial Septal Aneurysm Causing Cerebral Embolism
- Jon Aksnes, Harald L. Lindberg, and Halfdan Ihlen
Ann. Thorac. Surg. 1996 62: 1190-1192.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]