[Interatrial communication associated with dilated cardiomyopathy].

A case of atrial septal defect in association with dilated cardiomyopathy is presented. Evolutive features are mainly assessed by echocardiography. On initial presentation the findings on physical examination pointed to the diagnosis of atrial septal defect with severe congestive heart failure. In addition to the demonstration of the congenital heart disease, echocardiography showed very dilated right atrial and ventricular cavities and later appearance of right atrium intracavitary thrombi. Left cavities were initially normal but, after surgical repair of the atrial septal defect, they rapidly increased. Endomyocardial biopsy confirmed the diagnosis of cardiomyopathy, which clinically seemed to only affect the right ventricle, but actually shown to be a diffuse myocardial disease.