A Case Report of Sudden Death From Intracardiac Leiomyomatosis
1From the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, London Health Sciences Centre, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada.
Insights
Intracardiac leiomyomatosis, a rare condition, caused sudden death in a 50-year-old woman. The tumor spread from the broad ligament, obstructing the pulmonary artery and leading to fatal right heart failure.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Pathology
- Gynecologic Oncology
- Pulmonary Medicine
Background:
- Intracardiac leiomyomatosis is an exceptionally rare cause of sudden cardiac death.
- Smooth muscle tumors originating in pelvic veins can metastasize to the heart.
- This case highlights a unique pathway of tumor spread and its catastrophic consequences.
Abstract:
Sudden death resulting from intracardiac leiomyomatosis is rare. In this case, a 50-year-old woman was found to have intracardiac leiomyomatosis, which originated in veins in the broad ligament. Tumor filled the entire inferior vena cava and extended into the right heart where it had embolized and occluded the right main pulmonary artery. The mechanism of death was sudden right heart failure.
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