Pectus excavatum with right ventricular compression-induced ventricular arrhythmias

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Cardiac Imaging
• Congenital Heart Conditions

Background:

• A 33-year-old woman presented with a long history of palpitations since adolescence.
• She was referred for cardiology consultation due to frequent ventricular extrasystoles.
• The extrasystoles exhibited a left bundle branch block morphology.

Observation:

• Physical examination revealed pectus excavatum.
• Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated severe pectus excavatum.
• This was associated with exaggerated cardiac levoposition and compression/deformation of right cardiac chambers.

Findings:

• The patient's symptoms were linked to structural cardiac abnormalities caused by pectus excavatum.
• Cardiac magnetic resonance provided detailed visualization of the cardiac chamber compression.
• The findings highlight the significant impact of pectus excavatum on cardiac morphology and function.

Implications:

• This case underscores the importance of cardiac evaluation in individuals with significant pectus excavatum.
• Delayed follow-up due to pregnancy highlights potential challenges in managing complex cardiac conditions.
• Further research may explore optimal management strategies for ventricular arrhythmias in the context of pectus excavatum.