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Published on: August 24, 2019
[Progressive dyspnea, angina pectoris and weight loss in a 76-year old patient]
1Medizinische Klinik II-Kardiologie, Kreiskrankenhaus Mechernich.
Insights
Cardiac metastases are rare, but echocardiography can diagnose them. This case highlights echocardiography
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Oncology
- Diagnostic Imaging
Background:
- Cardiac metastases are an infrequent clinical finding.
- Primary diagnosis of malignancy via cardiac metastases is exceptionally rare.
Observation:
- A 76-year-old patient presented with dyspnea, angina pectoris, and weight loss.
- Echocardiography revealed pericardial effusion and intramyocardial masses in the right atrium and ventricle.
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MIR) was inconclusive for intramyocardial masses; pericardiocentesis was negative.
Findings:
- The patient was diagnosed with intestinal-type gastric adenocarcinoma.
- Echocardiography successfully identified cardiac involvement secondary to gastric cancer.
Implications:
- Echocardiography is a valuable tool for diagnosing cardiac metastases.
- This case underscores the importance of considering cardiac involvement in patients with unexplained symptoms and known or suspected malignancy.
Background:
Cardiac metastases are a rare finding. The primary diagnosis of a malignant disease by cardial metastases is a curiosity.
Case Report:
A 76-year-old patient presented with dyspnea, angina pectoris and body weight loss. Echocardiography showed a circular pericardial effusion and intramyocardial masses with high echodensity in the right atrial and the right ventricular wall. MIR was not diagnostic of the intramyocardial masses. The pericardiocentesis was negative. The procedures revealed an intestinal type gastric adenocarcinoma.
Conclusion:
Echocardiography is an established method for the diagnosis of cardiac metastases.
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