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Persistent ST segment elevation in a patient with metastatic involvement of the heart
E Astorri1, P Fiorina, P Pattoneri
1Cattedra di Cardiologia, Istituto di Patologia Medica, Università degli Studi, Parma, Italy.
Insights
Electrocardiogram (ECG) changes can indicate heart tumors, but are often non-specific. Prolonged ST elevation without Q waves may specifically signal cardiac tumor invasion.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Oncology
Background:
- Electrocardiographic abnormalities are frequent in cardiac tumor invasion but lack specificity.
- Differentiating tumor-related ECG changes from other cardiac conditions is clinically important.
Observation:
- A patient with epidermoid carcinoma of the left lung presented with pronounced and prolonged lateral ST segment elevation.
- This ECG finding occurred in the absence of myocardial infarction.
- Computer tomography confirmed tumor invasion of the heart.
Findings:
- Prolonged ST segment elevation, particularly in the lateral leads and without Q waves, was observed.
- This specific ECG pattern was associated with confirmed cardiac tumor invasion.
Implications:
- This distinct electrocardiographic pattern may serve as a pathognomonic sign for cardiac tumor invasion.
- Early identification of cardiac invasion via ECG can potentially improve patient management and outcomes.
Abstract:
Electrocardiographic abnormalities are commonly seen with tumor invasion of the heart, but usually these abnormalities are not specific. Pronounced and prolonged lateral ST segment elevation in the absence of myocardial infarction occurred in a patient with epidermoid carcinoma of the left lung. Computer tomography showed the presence of tumor invasion of the heart. Prolonged ST segment elevation in the absence of Q waves seems to be a pathognomonic sign for tumor invasion of the heart.