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Primary endocardial fibroelastosis with dilated cardiomyopathy: report of one case
Yen-Ting Chou1, Jou-Kou Wang, Hung-Chieh Chou
1Department of Pediatrics, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.
Insights
A premature infant diagnosed with dilated cardiomyopathy experienced rapid heart failure. Despite treatment, the condition progressed, leading to death and confirmed endocardial fibroelastosis postmortem.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal Cardiology
- Pediatric Pathology
Background:
- Dilated cardiomyopathy is a serious cardiac condition affecting premature infants.
- Early detection and management are crucial for improving outcomes in neonatal heart failure.
Observation:
- A 27-week gestational age premature infant presented with respiratory distress and heart failure shortly after birth.
- Prenatal sonography identified left ventricular enlargement, raising concerns for cardiac anomalies.
- Postnatal echocardiograms revealed dilated cardiomyopathy, with suspected endocardial fibroelastosis.
Findings:
- The infant's heart failure worsened despite aggressive inotropic agent therapy.
- Circulatory failure occurred on the fifteenth day of life.
- Postmortem examination definitively diagnosed endocardial fibroelastosis.
Implications:
- This case highlights the critical presentation of endocardial fibroelastosis in extremely premature infants.
- It underscores the challenges in managing severe neonatal heart failure and the importance of comprehensive postmortem analysis.
- Further research into the etiology and treatment of endocardial fibroelastosis in neonates is warranted.
Abstract:
We report a case of dilated cardiomyopathy presented in a premature infant of 27 weeks' gestational age. A prenatal sonography revealed left ventricular enlargement. The infant presented with respiratory distress and heart failure soon after birth. Echocardiograms performed after birth showed dilated cardiomyopathy, and endocardial fibroelastosis was suspected. Heart failure progressed despite administration of inotropic agents. The infant died after fifteen days from circulatory failure. Postmortem examination confirmed the diagnosis of endocardial fibroelastosis.
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