ABSTRACT
We present the case of a patient with myocardial infarction due to coronary ectasia. A transthoracic echocardiogram showed a unique image of a cystic-like mass in the right atrium corresponding to the ectatic right coronary artery (arrows), which was confirmed with computed tomography.
Subject(s)
Coronary Vessels , Echocardiography , Multimodal Imaging , Humans , Multimodal Imaging/methods , Echocardiography/methods , Dilatation, Pathologic , Coronary Vessels/diagnostic imaging , Male , Tomography, X-Ray Computed/methods , Coronary Artery Disease/diagnostic imaging , Coronary Artery Disease/complications , Middle Aged , Diagnosis, DifferentialABSTRACT
A 32-year-old female presented with palpitations and chest discomfort. The patient had a history of pericardiotomy due to pericardial effusion. Multimodal imaging, including echocardiography, cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR), and coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) showed a single mass in the pericardium as the cause of the symptoms. Furthermore, its location and potential complications were accurately defined. The patient underwent a successful surgical resection of the pericardial cyst, microscopic histopathological examination was compatible with a bronchogenic cyst, a very rare congenital malformation. The article discusses the rarity of bronchogenic cysts in the pericardium and the importance of accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment.
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Mitral valve (MV) prolapse is highly prevalent in patients with atrial septal defect (ASD). Abnormal left ventricular geometry has been proposed as the main mechanism of MV prolapse in ASD, however, the changes in the morphology of the MV apparatus remain to be clarified. Our aim was to assess the MV geometry in patients with ASD and MV prolapse. METHODS: We evaluated 99 patients (73% female, median age 40 years) with ASD who underwent a three-dimensional transesophageal echocardiogram. Three-dimensional analysis of the MV was done using dedicated automated software. Transthoracic echocardiographic parameters were assessed post ASD closure in 28 patients. RESULTS: MV prolapse was found in 39% of patients. Although smaller left ventricular dimensions and greater interatrial shunt were found in patients with MV prolapse compared with those without prolapse, there was no difference in the subvalvular parameters. MV prolapse was associated with larger mitral anterior-posterior diameter, anterolateral-posteromedial diameter, anterior perimeter, posterior perimeter, total perimeter, and anterior leaflet area (all p < 0.05). Mitral regurgitation was more frequent in patients with MV prolapse (80 vs. 48%, p = 0.002). CONCLUSIONS: In patients with ASD, the main mechanism of MV prolapse is the presence of an organic primary process of the MV apparatus (excessive anterior mitral leaflet tissue and mitral annular enlargement).