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Published on: November 4, 2015
Thromboembolic acute myocardial infarction in a congenital double chambered left ventricle
Marco Studer1, Michel Zuber, Peiman Jamshidi
1Division of Cardiology, Luzerner Kantonsspital, Lucerne, Switzerland.
Insights
A patient with congenital double-chamber left ventricle (DCLV) experienced a heart attack due to a blocked artery. The accessory chamber in her heart was identified as the likely source of the blood clot, leading to successful anticoagulation therapy.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Congenital Heart Disease
- Cardiac Imaging
Background:
- Congenital double-chamber left ventricle (DCLV) is a rare cardiac anomaly.
- Patients with DCLV may present with various cardiovascular complications.
- Early diagnosis and management are crucial for favorable outcomes.
Observation:
- A 61-year-old woman with known DCLV presented with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI).
- Coronary angiography revealed left anterior descending artery (LAD) occlusion.
- Echocardiography demonstrated an accessory chamber with myocardial contraction and anterior akinesia.
Findings:
- The accessory chamber, separated by a fibromuscular ridge, was identified as the likely source of thromboembolism.
- The patient was initiated on oral anticoagulation therapy.
- Global left ventricular function normalized during follow-up.
Implications:
- This case highlights the potential embolic risk associated with DCLV.
- Prompt diagnosis and management of DCLV-associated thromboembolism are essential.
- Effective anticoagulation can lead to recovery of global left ventricular function.
Abstract:
A 61-year-old woman with a congenital double-chamber left ventricle (DCLV) was admitted because of an anterior ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). Urgent coronary angiography showed a thrombotic occlusion of the distal part of the left anterior descending artery (LAD). The left ventricular injection revealed a slightly reduced ejection fraction, antero-apical akinesia and an accessory chamber. Two dimensional and three dimensional echocardiography showed anterior akinesia with an accessory chamber at the apex which was separated by a fibromuscular ridge distal to the papillary muscles. The DCLV with myocardial contraction in the additional chamber was originally diagnosed seven years ago during a routine follow-up echocardiography in the course of management for thyroid cancer and at that time left ventricular function was described to be normal. Thromboembolism was assumed to have originated from the hypocontractile left accessory chamber and the patient was set on oral anticoagulation. During follow-up global left ventricular function normalized.
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