Aorta-right atrial tunnel presenting with heart failure in an adult

Abstract

Aorta-right atrial tunnel (ARAT) is a rare congenital anomaly characterized by extracardiac tunnel-like vascular connection between aorta and right atrium. Patients are usually asymptomatic, but patient may present with palpitation, dyspnea, and fatigue on exertion. Diagnosis can be made by transthoracic echocardiography during investigations for continuous murmur. Diagnosis can be confirmed by computed tomography, aortography, and coronary angiography. We report a case of a 26-year-old man diagnosed with ARAT arising from right sinotubular junction extending anteriorly and opening into right atrium near the opening of superior vena cava complicated with cardiomegaly and heart failure.

Keywords

• Aorta-right atrial tunnel
• congenital anomaly
• computed tomography angiography
• echocardiography
• right atrium