ABSTRACT
Giant right atrium (RA) is a rare finding in adults. We report a case of a 53-year-old female with rheumatic heart disease (RHD) previously submitted to two mitral valve replacements. She presented at the emergency room with signs of heart failure. Image studies revealed gross cardiomegaly. Transthoracic echocardiogram showed torrential tricuspid regurgitation, with right chambers enlargement. At chest tomography, the estimated right atrium volume was 1,200 mL. The patient was treated with intravenous diuretics and multiple paracentesis, as well as referred to heart transplantation. Physicians should be aware of this extreme outcome, which can lead to life-threatening complications such as atrial fibrillation and thromboembolism.
ABSTRACT
Acute inflammatory cardiac disease is an increasing cause of COVID-19 vaccine-induced complications. We report a case of acute pericarditis following the second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine (BNT162b2) in a 49-year-old woman with previous COVID-19-induced myocarditis and heart failure. A clinical presentation compatible with acute decompensated heart failure elevated troponin levels and a cardiac-MRI showing myocardial fibrosis and inflammatory pericardial effusion led to the diagnosis of perimyocarditis. She was treated with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and colchicine. Her condition improved in eight days. Physicians should be aware of the possible diagnosis of pericarditis and/or a myocardial injury after COVID-19 infection and vaccination.
