Chest Pain and ST-Segment Elevation: Angiosarcoma Discovered With Coronary Angiography

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Oncology
• Diagnostic Imaging

Background:

• Primary cardiac angiosarcomas are rare, aggressive heart tumors.
• Symptoms include chest pain and heart failure, often mimicking other cardiac conditions.
• Diagnosis typically involves echocardiography and biopsy.

Observation:

• A 56-year-old male presented with acute chest pain and shortness of breath.
• Electrocardiogram showed ST-segment elevations, prompting urgent coronary angiography.
• Angiography revealed no coronary disease but identified a mass near the right atrium.

Findings:

• The mass was diagnosed as primary cardiac angiosarcoma.
• This represents a unique case of angiosarcoma discovered via coronary angiography.
• The tumor presented as a cardiac structure with delayed contrast filling.

Implications:

• Coronary angiography can reveal non-coronary cardiac pathologies like angiosarcoma.
• Clinicians should consider angiography for unexplained chest pain, even during emergency evaluations.
• Early screening for metastatic disease is crucial for treatment planning and biopsy guidance.