Caso clínico de cor triatriatum en el adulto asintomático: diagnóstico ecocardiográfico / Clinical case of cor triatriatum in the asymptomatic adult: cardiac ultrasound diagnosis

Resumen El cor triatriatum es una anomalía congénita rara, que representa el 0,4% de todas las malformaciones cardíacas. En esta malformación la aurícula es separada en dos compartimientos por una membrana fibromuscular, que puede ser enteramente intacta o contener fenestraciones de diámetros variables. La aparición de la sintomatología está en relación con las propiedades obstructivas que mimetizan la estenosis mitral y la presencia de una comunicación interauricular. La ecocardiografía bidimensional y el Doppler color son las modalidades diagnósticas no invasivas de elección para el diagnóstico preciso del cor triatriatum y de su repercusión hemodinámica. Se reporta un caso de cor triatriatum en un paciente adulto mayor, en quien se hizo el diagnóstico tardío y casual de esta malformación.

Abstract Cor triatriatum is a rare congenital anomaly that represents 0.4% of all cardiac malformations. In this malformation the atrium is separated into two compartments by a fibrous-muscular membrane that may be completely intact or contain fenestrations with variable diameters. The appearance of symptoms is associated with obstruction-like properties that mimic mitral stenosis and an atrial septal defect. Two-dimensional cardiac ultrasound and colour Doppler are non-invasive methods of choice for the accurate diagnosis of cor triatriatum and its haemodynamic repercussions. A case of cor triatriatum is reported in an elderly patient, in whom a delayed and casual diagnosis was made of this malformation.

Rastreo de familiares de una paciente con miocardiopatía hipertrófica obstructiva / Family Tracing of a Patient with Hypertrophic Obstructive Miocardiomyopathy

Resumen Introducción: La miocardiopatía hipertrófica familiar es la modalidad hereditaria autosómica dominante de la miocardiopatía hipertrófica, de penetrancia incompleta y expresión variable. Se exponen los estudios realizados a los familiares de un caso índice de miocardiopatía hipertrófica obstructiva, dado un 50% de probabilidad de padecer la enfermedad. Material y métodos: A partir de un caso índice se reclutaron familiares (hijos y hermanos) del caso índice, quienes fueron invitados a realizarse electrocardiograma, ecocardiograma transtorácico, prueba de esfuerzo y Holter cardíaco de manera voluntaria. Se aplicó una encuesta semiestructurada para obtener datos sociodemográficos, antecedentes personales, familiares y hábito de práctica de actividad física. Para el diagnóstico se siguieron los criterios utilizados por la guía de la Sociedad española de cardiología. Resultados: En los 11 casos evaluados se identificaron 4 miembros de la familia con criterios diagnósticos de miocardiopatía hipertrófica y 5 con hipertensión arterial. Conclusión: Con el estudio de los familiares de la paciente índice se logró descubrir la afectación de esta enfermedad en 2 familiares de primer grado y en 2 familiares de segundo grado, con predominancia para el sexo masculino (3:1); en la paciente femenina se encontró, además, hipertensión arterial y miocardiopatía hipertrófica asociadas a fibrilación auricular. Ninguno de ellos tuvo historia personal de síncope o resucitación de muerte súbita.

Abstract Introduction: Familial hypertrophic myocardiopathy is a hereditary autosomal dominant trait of hypertrophic myocardiopathy, of incomplete penetrance and variable expression. Studies carried out on the family of an index case of hypertrophic obstructive myocardiopathy gave a 50% probability of suffering from the disease. Material and methods: Family members (children, brothers and sisters) of an index case were recruited and were invited to volunteer to have a transthoracic electrocardiogram, stress test, and Holter test performed. A semi-structured questionnaire was completed in order to obtain sociodemographic data, personal and family history, and physical activity habits. The criteria used in the Spanish Cardiology Society guidelines were followed to make the diagnosis. Results: In the 11 cases evaluated, 4 members of the family were identified with diagnostic criteria of hypertrophic myocardiopathy, and 5 with arterial hypertension. Conclusions: With the study of the family members of the index patient, it was discovered that this disease affected 2 first degree and 2 second degree family members, with a predominance of male gender (3:1). The female case was also found to have arterial hypertension and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy associated with atrial fibrillation. None of them had a personal history of syncope or sudden death resuscitation.

Reporte de un caso de endomiocardiofibrosis en Colombia / A case report of endomyocardial fibrosis in Colombia

La endomiocardiofibrosis es una miocardiopatía restrictiva causada por formación de tejido fibroso en el subendocardio. Es una enfermedad de etiología desconocida, que puede afectar uno o ambos ventrículos, comprometer músculos papilares y causar insuficiencia valvular auriculoventricular del ventrículo correspondiente. Es endémica de los países tropicales de África y puede hallarse en Europa y en países de clima templado como Brasil, Colombia e India. El diagnóstico se hace mediante hallazgos clínicos, ecocardiográficos y angiográficos típicos. El tratamiento, después de la aparición de los síntomas, es eminentemente quirúrgico. Se describe un caso de endomiocardiofibrosis biventricular en una paciente desnutrida y en fase avanzada de la enfermedad.

Endomyocardial fibrosis is a restrictive cardiomyopathy caused by the deposit of fibrotic tissue in the subendocardium. The etiology remains unknown. It can affect one or both ventricles, alter the papillary muscles and produce insufficiency of the auriculoventricular valve of the corresponding ventricle. It is endemic in the tropical countries of Africa, but can also be found in Europe and countries with mild temperatures such as Brazil, Colombia and India. Diagnosis is made by typical clinical, echocardiographic and angiographic findings. Once symptoms are established, the treatment is eminently surgical. This article describes a case of biventricular endomyocardial fibrosis in a malnourished patient with an advanced stage of the disease.

Valvuloplastia con balón en una paciente con estenosis aórtica crítica / Balloon valvuloplasty in a patient with critical aortic stenosis

La prevalencia de estenosis aórtica degenerativa es creciente y predomina en personas mayores de 75 años. La aparición de síntomas es marcador de gravedad con implicaciones pronósticas; no hay tratamiento farmacológico que revierta su evolución. Tan pronto aparecen los síntomas, se indica tratamiento quirúrgico de sustitución de la válvula aórtica. La valvuloplastia con balón está indicada en pacientes con inestabilidad hemodinámica o contraindicación temporal para procedimiento definitivo. Debe ser adoptada como puente para una intervención definitiva. Se reporta un caso de valvuloplastia aórtica con balón en una paciente con comorbilidades y muerte súbita intrahospitalaria revertida.

The prevalence of degenerative aortic stenosis predominates in individuals above 75 years old. The marker of severity is the onset of symptoms, there is no pharmacologic treatment that can reverse its natural history. As soon as symptoms appear, surgical replacement of the aortic valve is indicated. Balloon valvuloplasty is indicated for patients that are hemodynamically unstable or with a temporary contraindication for a definitive procedure. It should be adopted as a bridge therapy until a definite intervention is done. The objective of this case report is the narration of aortic balloon valvuloplasty in a patient with comorbidities and inpatient sudden cardiac death.

Avaliação de massas cardíacas pela ecocardiografia com perfusão em tempo real / Evaluation of cardiac masses by real time perfusion imaging echocardiography

Introdução: As massas cardíacas (MC) podem ser tumores, trombos ou pseudotumores. A avaliação da vascularização poderá ser uma ferramenta adicional para o seu diagnóstico diferencial. Neste estudo, demonstrou-se o valor diagnóstico da ecocardiografia com perfusão na caracterização das MC or meio de análises qualitativas e quantitativas de perfusão. Métodos: Estudo prospectivo que envolveu 107 pacientes, classificados em quatro grupos: 33 trombos, 23 tumores malignos (TM), 24 tumores benignos (TB) e 6 pseudotumores; 21 pacientes foram excluídos por não terem diagnóstico definitivo confirmado. A avaliação de perfusão foi realizada pela ecocardiografia com perfusão em tempo real, utilizando contraste à base de microbolhas. Em um grupo selecionado de pacientes (32), o estudo foi complementado com dipiridamol para avaliação da reserva de fluxo da massa. A análise foi feita qualitativa e quantitativamente por dois observadores independentes. Na análise qualitativa, os parâmetros foram: intensidade da perfusão (escore 0 a 3), velocidade do repreenchimento microvascular (escore 0 a 2), padrão de perfusão central ou periférico (escore 0 a 2) e presença de áreas de necrose (escore 0 e 1). Os dois parâmetros de quantificação das massas foram: volume de sangue microvascular (A) e fluxo microvascular regional, que é o produto da velocidade de fluxo () e volume (A). Resultados: Na análise qualitativa, o padrão mais frequente para o grupo trombos foi: sem perfusão (81,9%), sem velocidade de perfusão (81,9%) e sem área de necrose (93,4%); nos tumores, predominou perfusão discreta (62,3%), com velocidade lenta (64,2%) e áreas de necrose (30,2%). Na análise qualitativa, a variação intraobservador para escore de perfusão e de velocidade foi de 20%, para áreas de necrose de 25% e para padrão de perfusão foi de 45%. Na análise quantitativa, o grupo trombos apresentou valores de A e Ax significativamente menores quando comparados ao grupo de tumores...

Background: Cardiac masses (CM) can be tumors, thrombi or pseudotumors. Evaluation of their vascularization might be an additional tool to perform a differential diagnosis. In the present study we demonstrated the diagnostic value of perfusion echocardiography for CM characterization, by qualitative and quantitative analyses of perfusion. Methods: We prospectively studied 107 patients, who were classified into 4 groups: 33 thrombus, 23 malignant tumors (MT), 24 benign tumors (BT) and 6 pseudotumors, of which 21 were excluded because no definitive diagnosis could be confirmed. Perfusion evaluation was performed by contrast echocardiography with real time perfusion imaging using microbubbles. A group of patients (32) was selected for a complementary study using dipyridamole to evaluate mass flow reserve. Qualitative and quantitative analyses were performed by two independent observers. Parameters for qualitative analysis were perfusion intensity (0-3 score), microvascular refilling velocity (0-2 score), central or peripheral perfusion pattern (0-2 score), and presence of areas of necrosis (0 or 1 score). The two parameters for quantification of masses were microvascular blood volume (A), and regional microvascular flow which is the product of blood flow velocity and vomume (A). Results: The most frequent pattern for the thrombi group in the qualitative analysis was absence of perfusion (81.9%), followed by no perfusion velocity (81.9%), and no areas of necrosis (93.4%), whilst among tumors there was predominance of discrete perfusion (62.3%), with slowed velocity (64.2%), and areas of necrosis (30.2%). Qualitative analysis, perfusion velocity showed intraobserver variability 20%, presence of areas of necrosis of 25% and perfusion pattern of 45%. In the quantitative analysis, the thrombi group was shown to have A and Ax values significantly smaller compared to the tumor group: Thrombi: A = 0.08 (0.01-0.22dB); Ax = 0.03 (0.010.14dB/s-1); MT: A = 2.78...

Uso da ecocardiografia contrastada para avaliação de tumores e trombos / Contrast echocardiography for the evaluation of tumors and thrombi

A ecocardiografia contrastada baseia-se na injeção endovenosa de microbolhas que são marcadores de fluxo sangüíneo e aumentam o sinal ultra-sonográfico. O uso de agentes de contraste melhora a opacificação das cavidades cardíacas e o delineamento dos bordos endocárdicos, além de permitir a avaliação da perfusão. Recentemente, a ecocardiografia contrastada tem sido empregada na avaliação de massas cardíacas. Neste artigo são relatados um caso de mixoma atrial esquerdo (tumor benigno), um caso de metástase de adenocarcinoma de pulmão (tumor maligno) e um caso de trombo avaliados pela ecocardiografia contrastada, demonstrando que esse método tem o potencial para diagnosticar diferentes tipos de massas cardíacas.

Contrast echocardiography is based on intravenous injection of microbubbles that act as blood flow tracers and increase ultra-sound signal. Contrast agents have shown to improve cardiac cavities opacification and endocardial border delineation in addition to helping perfusion evaluation. Contrast echocardiography has recently been used to evaluate cardiac masses. In this report we will describe three cases evaluated by contrast echocardiography: a left atrial myxoma (benign tumor), a lung adenocarcinoma metastasis (malign tumor), and one thrombus. Contrast echocardiography showed to be valuable in the diagnosis of the different types of cardiac masses.