Left atrial herniation through a partial pericardial defect: a rare cause of syncope.

A case of herniation of the left atrial auricle through a partial congenital pericardial defect is presented. The main symptoms were short periods of syncope that were not related to the presence of an incidental type II Wenckebach block. Intravenous digital subtraction angiography established the diagnosis and is regarded as superior to catheterization of the heart in uncomplicated cases.