An Unusual Cause of New-onset Atrial Flutter: Primary Cardiac Lymphoma

Don Hayes, Darla K. Liles, Vincent L. Sorrell

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

11 Scopus citations

Abstract

Primary cardiac lymphoma is a rare disease with a high mortality rate due to the advanced stage of myocardial involvement at presentation. The diagnosis is extremely difficult to make because of the rarity of the disease, variability of clinical manifestations, limited noninvasive diagnostic techniques available, and difficulties and/or delays in the use of invasive measures. The incidence of the disease is increasing, especially among immunocompromised patients, with those suffering from acquired immunodeficiency syndrome accounting for the greatest increase. We report the case of an immuno-competent 76-year-old black woman who presented with near-syncopal episodes. Transthoracic echocardiogram revealed a right atrial mass. Surgical resection was performed, and a diagnosis of large B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma was made. Primary cardiac lymphoma should be considered in any patient with a cardiac mass. Prompt diagnosis and treatment of primary cardiac lymphoma is imperative for survival.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)799-802
Number of pages4
JournalSouthern Medical Journal
Volume96
Issue number8
DOIs
StatePublished - Aug 2003

Keywords

  • Atrial flutter
  • B cell
  • Cardiac neoplasm
  • Echocardiography
  • Lymphoma
  • Primary cardiac lymphoma
  • Transesophageal

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Medicine (all)

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