Background: Primary pericardial sarcomas are extremely rare malignancies. In this case of primary pericardial synovial sarcoma, we discuss the initial steps to work-up pericardial effusions and review features that warrant more detailed investigation.
Case Summary: A 29-year-old male with no relevant past medical history presents with a few weeks of fatigue, dyspnoea, orthopnoea, leg swelling, and back pain. Transthoracic echocardiogram revealed pericardial effusion for which pericardiocentesis and drain placement were done. He was discharged with a diagnosis of post-viral pericarditis. He returned 5 months later with worsening symptoms. Advanced imaging with cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR) showed heterogeneous pericardial mass later revealed to be a high-grade synovial sarcoma on biopsy. The patient was started on a doxorubicin-based chemotherapy regimen, but due to kidney dysfunction and multi-organ failure, he was transitioned to palliative care measures.
Discussion: Transthoracic echocardiogram and computed tomography are often the initial tests of choice for pericardial effusions with pericardiocentesis recommended for effusions with tamponade physiology, for moderate-to-large effusions, or if there is concern for infection/neoplasm. Due to improved tissue characterization and spatial resolution, CMR and positron emission tomography should also be considered for atypical or recurrent pericardial effusions to assess for less common aetiologies such as malignancy.
Download full-text PDF |
Source |
---|---|
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11204908 | PMC |
http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/ehjcr/ytae284 | DOI Listing |
J Echocardiogr
January 2025
Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, Keimyung University Dongsan Medical Center, Keimyung University School of Medicine, 1035 Dalgubeol-Daero, Dalseo-Gu, Daegu, 42601, Republic of Korea.
Background: With the growing number of high-risk pregnant women, echocardiography frequently reveals pericardial effusion (PE). However, the clinical implications of PE are unknown.
Method: We analyzed a cohort of 406 high-risk pregnant women who underwent echocardiography in the third trimester between November 2019 and December 2022.
Arch Cardiovasc Dis
December 2024
Service de cardiologie, hôpital Henri-Mondor, 94000 Créteil, France. Electronic address:
Background: Catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation in patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction is associated with a significant reduction in morbimortality. The convergent procedure is a valid ablation option for the treatment of long-standing persistent atrial fibrillation.
Aim: To describe the outcomes of patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction and long-standing persistent atrial fibrillation who underwent the convergent procedure.
Cardiol Rev
October 2024
Division of Cardiac Surgery, University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, Cleveland, OH.
Atrial and ventricular natriuretic peptides play an important role in the neurohormonal regulation of cardiac function. Plasma levels of these peptides may aid in the diagnosis and prognosis of different cardiac disorders, such as congestive heart failure, ischemic heart disease, and atrial fibrillation. However, the association between elevated pericardial fluid levels of natriuretic peptides and these clinical conditions has not been proven.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFEur Heart J Open
January 2025
Institute of Health Informatics Research, University College London, 222 Euston Road, London NW1 2DA, UK.
Aims: Cavotricuspid isthmus (CTI) ablation is the current ablation treatment for typical atrial flutter (AFL). However, post-ablation atrial tachyarrhythmias, mostly in the form of atrial fibrillation (AF), are frequently observed after CTI ablation. We aimed to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of concomitant or isolated pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) in patients with typical AFL scheduled for ablation.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFIDCases
November 2024
Doctor of Medicine and Surgery, Hospital Escuela Universitario, Honduras.
Tuberculosis is a transmissible disease caused by the bacterium . It is the leading cause of mortality due to infectious diseases. Tuberculous pericarditis is one of the manifestations of extrapulmonary tuberculosis and represents the primary cause of pericardial effusion in developing countries.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFEnter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!