Haemangiosarcoma of the pulmonary valve presenting as a pulmonary stenosis. A case report

Intractable congestive cardiac failure, unexplained arrhythmias, changes in the cardiac silhouette and murmurs which change with position are all features which should arouse suspicion of a cardiac tumour. A case of intracardiac haemangiosarcoma of endothelial origin is discussed. The tumour presented as a pulmonary stenosis and extended into the right ventricular myocardium, causing a right bundle-branch block. At first the tumour seemed to be restricted to the endothelium of the pulmonary vascular bed, but it later infiltrated the interstitium and bronchi, cuasing dyspnoea and haemoptysis. After surgical removal of the tumour and reconstruction of the pulmonary outflow tract, the patient was free of symptoms for 14 months. However, rapid tumour growth in the pulmonary arterial system, lung interstitium and right ventricle subsequently recurred. Deep radiotherapy did not cause the tumour to regress.