Rajanshu Verma1, Emily R Duncanson2, Ambareesh Bajpai3, Nedaa Skeik4, Salima Shafi3. 1. United Hospitalist Service, United Hospital, Allina Health, St. Paul, MN. Electronic address: rajanshu@gmail.com. 2. Jesse E Edwards Registry of Cardiovascular Disease, John Nasseff Heart Hospital, St. Paul, MN. 3. United Heart & Vascular Clinic, Nasseff Specialty Center, St. Paul, MN. 4. Vascular Medicine, Minneapolis Heart Institute-Vascular & Endovascular Services, Minneapolis, MN.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Cardiac tumors are a rare cause of recurrent syncope which are detected on echocardiography, computed tomographic scan, and/or magnetic resonance imaging. We present echocardiographic, anatomic, and histopathologic images of a cardiac tumor arising from the junction of the right atrium and the inferior vena cava in a young lady. METHODS: Transthoracic echocardiography, transesophageal echocardiography, postmortem examination (autopsy), and histopathology. RESULTS: Transesophageal echocardiogram showed a 7×3-cm mobile multilobulated right atrial mass arising from the right atrial wall near the inferior vena cava. The patient was admitted to hospital to undergo cardiac surgery; however, unfortunately, she went in to cardiorespiratory arrest on the eve before surgery. Autopsy showed embolized mass obstructing the main pulmonary trunk, and pathology revealed an old organizing thrombus. CONCLUSIONS: Cardiac thrombi can mimic appearances of a myxoma on echocardiogram. Delay in thrombus removal surgery can result in increased mortality as seen in our case.
BACKGROUND:Cardiac tumors are a rare cause of recurrent syncope which are detected on echocardiography, computed tomographic scan, and/or magnetic resonance imaging. We present echocardiographic, anatomic, and histopathologic images of a cardiac tumor arising from the junction of the right atrium and the inferior vena cava in a young lady. METHODS: Transthoracic echocardiography, transesophageal echocardiography, postmortem examination (autopsy), and histopathology. RESULTS: Transesophageal echocardiogram showed a 7×3-cm mobile multilobulated right atrial mass arising from the right atrial wall near the inferior vena cava. The patient was admitted to hospital to undergo cardiac surgery; however, unfortunately, she went in to cardiorespiratory arrest on the eve before surgery. Autopsy showed embolized mass obstructing the main pulmonary trunk, and pathology revealed an old organizing thrombus. CONCLUSIONS:Cardiac thrombi can mimic appearances of a myxoma on echocardiogram. Delay in thrombus removal surgery can result in increased mortality as seen in our case.