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Primary undifferentiated pleomorphic cardiac sarcoma presenting as right heart failure
Shannon Ugarte1, Rabinder S Sandhu1, Johnny Sung1
1Highland Hospital, Alameda Health System, 6370 Racine Street, Oakland, CA 94609, USA.
Radiology Case Reports
|February 8, 2021
Summary
A rare cardiac sarcoma caused right-sided heart failure, presenting as leg swelling and ascites. This aggressive tumor led to fatal variceal bleeding despite treatment for heart failure symptoms.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Oncology
- Pathology
Background:
- Right-sided heart failure typically follows left-sided failure, rarely presenting primarily.
- Cardiac tumors are uncommon, often associated with a poor prognosis.
Observation:
- A 69-year-old man presented with progressive edema, ascites, and scrotal swelling.
- Imaging revealed a large right atrial mass, inferior vena cava clot, ascites, and hepatic swelling.
Findings:
- Biopsy confirmed an undifferentiated pleomorphic cardiac sarcoma.
- The patient was inoperable due to extensive tumor and clot burden.
Implications:
- This case highlights cardiac sarcoma as a rare but critical differential diagnosis for right-sided heart failure.
- The advanced stage of the tumor led to complications including portal hypertension and fatal variceal bleeding.
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