Cardiac intimal sarcoma presenting with pseudo-pulmonary embolism: surgical debulking, RVOT reconstruction and pulmonary valve replacement.
Dario Brenna, Paola Redaelli, Mattia Facchetti et al.
✦ AI-curated · Sources linked
Case in brief
A 27-year-old woman presented with dyspnoea and signs of right-heart failure following delivery. Initial imaging suggested pulmonary embolism, prompting emergency surgery due to haemodynamic instability. Intraoperatively, a large solid mass was found instead of a thrombus, leading to surgical debulking, right ventricle outflow tract reconstruction, and pulmonary valve replacement. Timely diagnosis of intimal sarcoma allowed for the initiation of anthracycline treatment.
Diagnostic / clinical pearl
This case highlights the importance of thorough preoperative imaging in young patients presenting with signs of pulmonary embolism, as misdiagnosis can lead to unexpected surgical findings.