Two cases of "stone heart" with fatal outcome

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Pediatric Cardiac Surgery
• Pathology

Background:

• Stone heart syndrome is a rare, often fatal complication post-cardiac surgery.
• The underlying mechanisms of stone heart syndrome remain incompletely understood.
• Myocardial hypertrophy is a key characteristic associated with this condition.

Observation:

• This report presents two cases of stone heart syndrome in newborn females.
• Both infants had prenatally diagnosed congenital heart abnormalities, including ventricular septum defects (VSD) and patent arterial duct (PDA).
• Significant myocardial hypertrophy was noted in both cases.

Findings:

• Stone heart syndrome manifested immediately upon initiating cardiopulmonary bypass in both neonates.
• The condition proved fatal in both described cases.
• The association between congenital heart defects and stone heart syndrome is highlighted.

Implications:

• This case report underscores the critical and often fatal nature of stone heart syndrome in neonates.
• Further research into the pathophysiology of stone heart syndrome is warranted.
• Improved diagnostic and therapeutic strategies may be needed for infants with congenital heart disease undergoing surgery.