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Man Lived 70+ Years Unaware of 5-Chamber Heart
3 Jul
Summary
- A man lived over 70 years with an undetected rare five-chambered heart.
- Doctors used robotic surgery to correct the congenital heart defect.
- This rare condition, cor triatriatum, affects less than 0.1% of cases.
For over 70 years, a South Florida man unknowingly lived with an extremely rare congenital heart defect. Carlos Perez was diagnosed with a five-chambered heart after seeking medical attention for dizziness and fatigue. This condition, cor triatriatum, involves an extra membrane dividing the left atrium, effectively creating a fourth chamber. This anomaly is exceptionally rare, accounting for less than 0.1% of all congenital heart abnormalities.
Most cases of cor triatriatum are identified in infancy or childhood due to restricted blood flow. However, a small opening in the membrane allowed Perez to live for decades without diagnosis. Doctors utilized advanced robotic technology for a minimally invasive surgery to remove the membrane. The procedure also included ablations for his atrial fibrillation and the placement of a device to regulate heart function.
The groundbreaking surgery was a first-time collaboration between Baptist Health Miami Cardiac & Vascular Institute and Nicklaus Children's Hospital Heart Institute. This partnership aims to pave the way for treating more adults with complex congenital heart conditions in the future. Perez was discharged within a week, emphasizing the importance of seeking medical evaluation for unexplained symptoms.
