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Updated: Aug 7, 2026
06:29
Cardiac Magnetic Resonance for the Evaluation of Suspected Cardiac Thrombus: Conventional and Emerging Techniques
Published on: June 11, 2019
Cardiac angiosarcoma: an unusual presentation simulating mitral stenosis and constrictive-effusive pericarditis
Juan Carlos Plana1, Sherif S Iskander, Mary L Ostrowski
1Section of Cardiology, Baylor College of Medicine, The Methodist DeBakey Heart Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
Summary
A rare cardiac angiosarcoma mimicked mitral stenosis and constrictive pericarditis. Transesophageal echocardiography improved diagnosis of this unusual cardiac tumor presentation.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Oncology
- Medical Imaging
Background:
- Cardiac angiosarcoma is a rare and aggressive malignancy.
- Unusual presentations can delay diagnosis and treatment.
Observation:
- A patient presented with hemodynamic findings suggestive of mitral stenosis and constrictive-effusive pericarditis.
- Initial transthoracic imaging provided limited diagnostic information.
Findings:
- Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) revealed a cardiac angiosarcoma as the underlying cause.
- TEE provided crucial details of the tumor's extent and impact on cardiac function.
Implications:
- This case highlights the importance of considering rare cardiac tumors in atypical hemodynamic presentations.
- TEE is a valuable tool for diagnosing complex cardiac pathologies, including rare tumors.
- Early and accurate diagnosis of cardiac angiosarcoma is critical for patient management.
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