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Massive myocardial calcification and normal coronary arteries
D C Barnard1, L Pape, J Missri
1Department of Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical Center, Worcester, Massachusetts 01605, USA.
Texas Heart Institute Journal
|December 1, 1985
Summary
Extensive myocardial calcification, rare without metastatic deposition or infarction, was observed in a 50-year-old woman. A history of childhood rheumatic fever or myocarditis was the likely cause.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Pathology
Background:
- Myocardial calcification is uncommon, particularly when not linked to metastatic disease or myocardial infarction.
- The differential diagnosis for myocardial calcification includes various etiologies, necessitating a thorough patient history.
Purpose of the Study:
- To present a rare case of extensive myocardial calcification in a middle-aged woman.
- To explore the potential etiological link between childhood illness and myocardial calcification.
Main Methods:
- Case report of a 50-year-old female patient.
- Review of patient's medical history, focusing on childhood illnesses.
Main Results:
- The patient presented with extensive calcification of the myocardium.
- No evidence of metastatic deposition or infarction was found.
- A history of childhood rheumatic fever or myocarditis was identified as the probable cause.
Conclusions:
- Childhood rheumatic fever or myocarditis can be a significant etiological factor for extensive myocardial calcification in adults.
- This case highlights the importance of considering past inflammatory cardiac conditions in the evaluation of myocardial calcification.