Fourteen-year-old boy with decreased appetite and pedal swelling

Gopal Chandra Ghosh1, Aparna S2, Oomen K George1

  • 1Department of Cardiology, Christian Medical College, Vellore, Tamil Nadu, India.

Insights

This case study highlights a 14-year-old boy with heart failure symptoms, presenting with decreased appetite and leg swelling. Diagnostic findings pointed towards restrictive cardiomyopathy, a serious cardiac condition.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Pediatric Cardiology
  • Cardiovascular Imaging

Background:

  • A 14-year-old male presented with a 6-month history of decreased appetite and bilateral pedal edema.
  • No significant past medical, birth, or family history of cardiovascular disease was reported.

Observation:

  • Clinical examination revealed elevated jugular venous pressure with prominent v waves and pitting pedal edema.
  • Cardiovascular exam noted a systolic murmur in the tricuspid region; hepatomegaly was also present.
  • ECG showed sinus rhythm with tall, peaked P waves; chest X-ray indicated right cardiac border enlargement.

Findings:

  • Transthoracic echocardiography, including apical four-chamber and tricuspid inflow Doppler, was performed.
  • No interatrial shunt was identified on color Doppler.
  • The constellation of symptoms, physical findings, and imaging results are suggestive of restrictive cardiomyopathy.

Implications:

  • This case underscores the importance of considering restrictive cardiomyopathy in pediatric patients with heart failure symptoms.
  • Early diagnosis and management are crucial for improving outcomes in pediatric restrictive cardiomyopathy.
  • Further investigation into the specific etiology of restrictive cardiomyopathy in this patient is warranted.

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