INTRODUCTION
Enlarged left atrium (LA) is a common finding in severe mitral stenosis
(MS) and severe mitral regurgitation. It typically presents with dyspnea
in proportion to the enlarged atrium. There is a poor correlation
between the size of the left atrium and the severity of the MS. Our case
creates clinicians’ awareness to consider full diagnostic workup for
enlarged LA as patients may not always have symptoms.
We report a case of a 34-year-old female with low-grade dyspnea on
exertion despite markedly dilated left atrium (LA) on chest radiography
which clouded our interpretation of the cause of enlarged cardiac
silhouette. However, echocardiogram proved useful in demonstrating
severe mitral stenosis and the giant LA.