Paradoxical Hemodynamic Instability After Pericardial Window.

Paradoxical hemodynamic instability (PHI), also called postoperative low cardiac output syndrome (LCOS), is a rare but fatal complication after drainage of a pericardial effusion (PEf). This condition usually develops within hours postprocedure and appears unrelated to the method of drainage. The exact mechanism of this condition is not well understood.

Giant right atrial mass obliterating the right atrium.

A73-year-old man with past medical history of mechanical aortic valve replacement, metastatic melanoma of unknown primaries with liver metastasis, presented with progressive shortness of breath and dyspnea on exertion. Transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) showed a large homogenous mass completely occupying the right atrial cavity and extending to and nearly obstructing the inflow area of the tricuspid valve. He was treated with chemotherapy.

Liquefaction necrosis of mitral annulus calcification.

Liquefaction necrosis of the mitral annulus is a rare form of peri-annular calcification that the cardiologist must be able to differentiate from other cardiac masses. It classically looks like a round or semilunar hyperdense mass with a denser peripheral rim, located mainly in the posterior mitral annulus. The case we report here was diagnosed in a 78-year-old female patient who presented with an embolic cerebral vascular accident, which raises the question of its etiopathogenic responsibility.