It is the embryological remnant within right atrium often observed as , mobile strands within RA extending fromIVC orifice to IAS. Some times it is difficult to differentiate from eustachian valve of IVC.The network is formed by collagenous material and mimic valvular tissue
Incidence
2% of general population . ( Means 10 crore persons in our world ! )
What is considered a benign echocardiographic observation for long , may not be innocuous . It can predispose to certain clinical events , although rare.
- Mistaken for right atrial mass
- May produce innocent murmur
- Catheter entrapment within RA
- Infective endocarditis of the network , and tricuspid valve
- Abnormal P waves and trigger for atrial tachycardia
- Disrupted chiary network prolapsing into RV
- Associated foramen ovale may induce streaming .This maintains an embryonic right atrial flow pattern into adult life and directing the blood from the inferior vena cava preferentially toward the interatrial septum
Reference
http://content.onlinejacc.org/cgi/content/abstract/26/1/203
http://ats.ctsnetjournals.org/cgi/content/abstract/76/4/1303
http://content.karger.com/ProdukteDB/produkte.asp?doi=10.1159/000096780
Dr.S.Venkatesan MD 