What Are the Causes of Mild Left Atrial Enlargement?
Quick Answer
Common causes of mild left atrial enlargement can be divided into both congenital causes, like ventricular septal defect, or VSD, and patent ductus arteriosus, or PDA, and acquired causes, like mitral stenosis, mitral regurgitation, left ventricular failure and left atrial myxoma, as reported by Radiopaedia. Left atrial enlargement generally happens when there is an increase in atrial wall tension due to an increase in filling pressures. Left atrial enlargement has also been commonly associated with atrial fibrillations, mortality after myocardial infractions and strokes.
Continue ReadingFull Answer
To determine whether a patient has a mild left atrial enlargement, a chest X-ray will normally be performed. The radiologists will look for visual signs like:
- a double density sign. This is when the right side of the atrium pushes into the lung.
- oblique measurements greater than 2 3/4 inches. The measurement is made from the middle of the left main bronchus to the right border of the right atrium.
- a convex left atria appendage because the edge just below the pulmonary outflow track should be either flat or concave.
There are also some indirect signs to look for like:
- a posterior displacement of the left side of the main stem bronchus.
- splaying of the carina, which has caused the tracheal bifurcation angle to be more than 90 degrees.
Related Questions
-
Q:
What Are the Causes of Atrial Fibrillation?
A: Atrial fibrillation may result from conditions that affect the heart such as heart attacks, hypertension, hyperthyroidism, lung diseases and coronary arter... Full Answer >Filed Under: -
Q:
What Are Some Causes of Atrial Tachycardia?
A: Causes of atrial tachycardia include high blood pressure, drinking too much, heart tissue damage, a congenital abnormality of the heart, and drinking many ... Full Answer >Filed Under: -
Q:
What Causes Atrial Fibrillation?
A: Mayo Clinic states that atrial fibrillation can be caused by high blood pressure, myocardial infarctions, abnormal heart valves, congenital heart defects, ... Full Answer >Filed Under: -
Q:
What Are Some Causes of Mild Cardiomegaly?
A: The most frequent causes of cardiomegaly, or an enlarged heart, are high blood pressure and coronary artery disease, explains WebMD. Less common causes inc... Full Answer >Filed Under:
You May Also Like
-
Q:
What Are Some of the Causes of a Vaginal Cyst?
-
Q:
What Are Some Causes of Red Patches on the Tongue?
-
Q:
Where Can You Get Treatment for Aortic Vascular Calcification?
-
Q:
How Do You Lower Blood Pressure?
-
Q:
What Should Be Done Immediately Following a Shock From an AED?
-
Q:
What Are Some Causes of Painful Veins in the Legs?
