Left atrial cavity reduction in mitral defect correction

The existence of mitral malformation is accompanied by a number of complications, one of which is left atrial dilatation. Its extreme degrees are denoted by the terms "atriomegaly" or "giant left atrium". This condition is associated with heart rhythm disorders, thromboembolism, heart failure, and is a predictor of sudden death. Left atrial dilatation is often irreversible, preserved after isolated correction of mitral defect. For this reason, surgical techniques have been developed to reduce the size of the left atria, called "atrioplasty", "left atrial cavity reduction". These methods are used in many cardiac surgical centers. However, to date, there is no consensus on the effectiveness and necessity of atrioplasty. In our work, atrioplasty is assessed in terms of its impact on intracardiac hemodynamics, dynamics of heart rhythm and conductivity, frequency and structure of thromboembolic complications. Taking into account the data obtained, a number of measures have been proposed to improve its results.