The University of Toledo Translation Journal of Medical Sciences 
Internal Medicine Abstract, Department of Medicine Research Symposium UTJMS 2023 May 5; 11(1):e1-e1 

Are Three Better than Two? – Incidental Finding of 
Incomplete Cor Triatrium Dextrum during 2nd Trimester 
of Pregnancy 
Zachary Holtzapple MD1*, Zeid Nesheiwat DO, MPH1 

1Division of Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine, The University of Toledo, 
Toledo, OH 43614 

*Corresponding author: Zachary.Holtzapple@utoledo.edu

Published: 05 May 2023 

Background: Cor triatriatum sinistrum is a type of congenital heart defect that occurs due to the left 
atrium being divided into two chambers by a fibromuscular septum. An even rarer subsection of this is 
cor triatriatum dextrum, in which the fibromuscular septum divides the right atrium.   

Case Presentation: We present a patient with intermittent palpitations, chest pressure, and 
lightheadedness without syncope related to her cor triatriatum dextrum exacerbated by her pregnancy 
status. Without any prior history of congenital heart defects or pertinent family history, this seemingly 
health female prior to her pregnancy likely revealed and exacerbated her symptoms and lead to the 
diagnosis.    

Conclusion: Treatment in the setting of an asymptomatic presentation of a pregnant patient with history 
of cor triatriatum remains unclear. Many physicians elect close follow up to monitor for development of 
symptoms. In symptomatic cases, rate control, thromboembolic prophylaxis, and hemodynamic 
stabilization are mainstays of treatment. This unique presentation in a rare patient population furthers 
literature and gives a perspective on pregnancy and structural heart disease like cor triatriatum. 

https://dx.doi.org/10.46570/utjms.vol11-2023-695 

https://dx.doi.org/10.46570/utjms.vol11-2023-695
mailto:Zachary.Holtzapple@utoledo.edu