Novel technique for volume reduction of giant left atrium: simple and effective "spiral resection" method.

Despite some controversial studies, an enlarged left atrium has an impact on postoperative complications, and surgical correction should be considered, particularly in patients with a markedly enlarged left atrium. We present herein 2 patients with a giant left atrium (left atrial dimensions of 107 and 93 mm on echocardiograms), and describe an effective and simple procedure, the "spiral resection" method, to reduce any part of the dilated wall of the left atrium with a single incision.