Refractory Postcardiotomy Right Ventricular Failure Revealing Massive Right Ventricular Lipomatous Replacement:
Patricia Landín1, Sara Plateros2, Paula Campelos3
1Department of Cardiology, Hospital Clínico San Carlos, Madrid, Spain.
JACC. Case Reports
|July 14, 2026
Summary
Extensive right ventricular (RV) lipomatous replacement can cause refractory heart failure after surgery, even with normal preoperative imaging. This condition mimics other heart diseases, highlighting the need for advanced imaging techniques.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Cardiac Surgery
- Pathology
Background:
- Right ventricular (RV) fat can be benign lipomatosis, postischemic metaplasia, or arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC).
- Differentiating these conditions is clinically significant but challenging.
- Preoperative imaging may not detect extensive RV fat replacement.
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