Detecting Chiari Network in Patients to Avoid Procedural Complications

Chiari networks are remnants of embryologic structures whose incomplete involution creates a net-like membrane in the right atrium. When discovered it is normally of little clinical significance and is found in 2-10% of the population. Nevertheless, there are reported cases of this formation having causation in atrial arrhythmias, thrombus formation, tumor development, tricuspid regurgitation, embolus and catheter entrapment/entanglement during invasive procedures. We present a case of a patient with an incidental finding of Chiari network on echocardiography and discuss the importance of detecting these formations before certain cardiac procedures. J Med Cases. 2016;7(7):291-293 doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.14740/jmc2424w