Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 6, 2026
08:52
Microdissection and Immunofluorescence Staining of Myocardial Sleeves in Murine Pulmonary Veins
Published on: November 21, 2023
[Pulmonary vein leiomyosarcoma extending into the left atrium].
M Garraud1, J Margery, F Laborde
1Service de cardiologie et de médecine aéronautique, hôpital d'instruction des armées Percy, Clamart, France. marie.garraud@gmail.com
Revue De Pneumologie Clinique
|November 20, 2010
Summary
A rare heart tumor, pulmonary vein leiomyosarcoma, caused respiratory distress in a young man. Despite multiple surgeries and chemotherapies, the disease recurred and metastasized, leading to the patient's death.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Surgery
- Thoracic Oncology
- Medical Imaging
Background:
- Pulmonary vein leiomyosarcoma is an extremely rare cardiac tumor.
- Early diagnosis and intervention are crucial for managing rare heart tumors.
Observation:
- A 28-year-old man presented with subacute respiratory distress due to a heart tumor.
- Imaging revealed mitral valve obstruction and pulmonary edema, suggesting a cardiac mass.
- Emergency surgery identified leiomyosarcoma originating from the pulmonary vein.
Findings:
- The patient experienced a local relapse after initial surgery and chemotherapy (ifosfamide-adriamycin).
- A second-line chemotherapy (gemcitabine-paclitaxel) also failed to control the disease.
- Metastases developed in the scalp, spine, and adrenal glands, leading to death within two years.
Implications:
- This case highlights the aggressive nature and poor prognosis of pulmonary vein leiomyosarcoma.
- It underscores the challenges in treating recurrent and metastatic cardiac tumors.
- Multidisciplinary approaches and novel therapeutic strategies are needed for such rare malignancies.
Related Concept Videos
01:22Mitral Stenosis I: Introduction
Mitral Valve Stenosis (MVS) is a heart condition where the mitral valve narrows, impeding blood circulation from the left atrium to the left ventricle. The etiology and pathophysiology of this condition are multifaceted, leading to a cascade of cardiovascular complications.Causes of Mitral Valve StenosisRheumatic Heart Disease: It is the main cause of mitral valve stenosis, particularly in developing nations. This condition arises from rheumatic fever, an inflammatory illness resulting from...
01:29Cardiomyopathy III: Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, or HCM, is an autosomal dominant genetic disorder characterized by asymmetric left ventricular hypertrophy without ventricular dilation. It is more common in men and is typically diagnosed in young, athletic adults.EtiologyHCM is primarily genetic and is caused by mutations in genes encoding sarcomeric proteins. Researchers have identified over 1400 mutations across at least 11 different genes. Among these, the most frequently occurring mutations are found in the...
01:18Pulmonary Edema II: Pathophysiology
Pulmonary edema is the accumulation of fluid in the interstitial and alveolar spaces of the lungs, impairing gas exchange and oxygen delivery. It may be cardiogenic or noncardiogenic, but both reduce oxygenation and lung compliance.Cardiogenic Pulmonary EdemaCardiogenic edema results from increased hydrostatic pressure in pulmonary capillaries, usually due to left ventricular dysfunction from myocardial infarction, heart failure, or valvular disease. Ineffective cardiac pumping causes blood to...
01:23Mitral Stenosis II: Clinical features and Diagnostic Tests
Mitral stenosis is a heart condition in which the mitral valve, which allows blood to flow from the left atrium to the left ventricle, becomes narrowed or stenotic. This narrowing hinders blood flow and leads to clinical symptoms requiring specific medical evaluations and management strategies. The following overview outlines the clinical symptoms, assessments, diagnostic findings, prevention methods, and treatments for mitral stenosis.Clinical ManifestationsDyspnea (shortness of breath): This...
01:30Cardiomyopathy II: Dilated Cardiomyopathy
Dilated cardiomyopathy, or DCM, is a progressive myocardial disorder characterized by ventricular chamber dilation and contractile dysfunction.EtiologyVarious factors can cause DCM, including hypertension and heavy alcohol intake, which contribute to the weakening and enlargement of the heart muscle. Viral infections, such as Coxsackievirus B, adenoviruses, and influenza, can lead to DCM by causing inflammation and damage to heart tissue. Certain chemotherapeutic agents, including daunorubicin,...
01:21Cardiac Catheterization II: Right Heart Catheterization
Right Heart Catheterization: An OverviewRight heart catheterization is an invasive diagnostic procedure that measures right-sided cardiac and pulmonary artery pressures, calculates cardiac output, and identifies intracardiac shunts. It provides detailed hemodynamic data essential for diagnosing and managing various cardiovascular conditions, such as pulmonary hypertension.Access SitesCommon access sites for right heart catheterization include the internal jugular vein in the neck region, the...