A primary cardiac sarcoma presenting with superior vena cava obstruction

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Oncology
• Thoracic Surgery

Background:

• Superior vena cava (SVC) obstruction, or SVC syndrome, presents with diverse symptoms and signs.
• Malignancy is the leading cause of SVC obstruction, accounting for 65% of cases.
• Common neoplastic causes include lung cancer (non-small cell and small cell), lymphoma, and metastasis.

Observation:

• A 48-year-old male presented with dyspnea, confusion, and cyanotic facial swelling.
• The patient experienced life-threatening airway obstruction following anxiolytic administration.
• Clinical, radiologic, and post-mortem findings confirmed SVC obstruction.

Findings:

• The obstruction was secondary to a primary cardiac sarcoma.
• Primary cardiac tumors are an exceptionally rare cause of SVC obstruction.
• This represents one of the few documented cases of primary cardiac sarcoma inducing SVC obstruction.

Implications:

• This case underscores the importance of considering rare etiologies in SVC obstruction.
• Accurate diagnosis of primary cardiac tumors causing SVC syndrome is critical for patient management.
• Further research into rare cardiac tumors and their presentation is warranted.