Causes of right atrial dilatation?

heartICU · Apr 19, 2006

Hey all! I was wondering what the causes of right atrial dilatation could be? All I can think of is pulmonary HTN and an ASD. Any other causes or thoughts on the matter would be MUCH appreciated. TY

Pulmonic valve or tricuspid valve stenosis.

TennRN2004 · Apr 19, 2006

Inferior MI, chronic A Fib, cardiomyopathy

Dinith88 · Apr 20, 2006

The most common causes are 1) Any Rt right-heart valve stenosis (pulmonic, tricuspid) will cause rt atrium to work hard and eventually 'bulge/dilate'. 2) SEvere pulmonary disease/copd or any other condition that causes pulmonary hypertension (same mechanism:overworked, eventually over-stretched rt atrium). 3)Lt sided heart failure.4)ASD/structural defects.

An acute inferior mi wont cause an immediate dilatation, and in many cases wont...but can over time. Certainly cardiomyopathies can, but these are usually global rather than rt-atrium focused. HTN (hypertensive cardiomyopathy) usuallly effects left heart chambers first as LV is chamber pumping against the high pressures.

Dinith88 · Apr 20, 2006

Which came first, the chicken or the egg?
Many times, rt atrial dilitation 'causes' chronic atrial fibrillation...

TennRN2004 · Apr 20, 2006

Which came first, the chicken or the egg?
Many times, rt atrial dilitation 'causes' chronic atrial fibrillation...

As usual Dinith, your post is an excellent explanation. I was just throwing out possibilties, but you are very correct in this regard. I always learn a lot from what you have to say.

KR · Apr 25, 2006

Thank you all for the input. Much appreciated.