Respiratory Failure in an Adolescent with Primary Cardiac Sarcoma

Abstract

We report a case of progressive respiratory failure secondary to primary cardiac sarcoma masquerading as primary lung disease. An 18-year-old female presented to our hospital emergency department with progressive cough, dyspnea, and hemoptysis. She was treated for primary lung infection without improvement and had respiratory failure with endotracheal intubation by the third hospital day. An “intermediate” plasma brain natriuretic protein (BNP) of 216 pg/mL did not raise concerns about a heart failure diagnosis and may have delayed the correct diagnosis. Computed tomography of the chest with intravenous contrast was performed on the fifth hospital day and revealed a cardiac mass. A transthoracic echocardiogram confirmed a large left atrial mass that was obstructing mitral inflow. She was transferred to a tertiary center for emergency cardiac surgery. Primary cardiac tumors are a rare and treatable cause of heart failure in adolescent and young adult patients. Presentation can be confused with primary lung disease and must be suspected early. Plasma BNP cutoff levels used in the adult population should not be extrapolated to adolescents, as levels, both normal and abnormal, are significantly lower in this group of patients.

The Heart of the Matter: A Unique Convergence of Cardiac Neoplasm, Hereditary Nonpolyposis Colorectal Cancer, and Spindle Cell Sarcoma

“…1 Characteristics of malignant cardiac masses include broad-based growth, invasion of surrounding tissue, involvement of more than a single chamber, poor definition of borders, tissue inhomogeneity, large size (>5 cm), and the presence of pericardial or pleural effusion. 2,3 Regardless of benign or malignant status, cardiac tumours are usually asymptomatic until they grow large enough to disrupt valvular function, obstruct a cardiac chamber, 4 or invade the myocardium and conductive tissue to precipitate arrhythmias. 5 Characteristics of cardiac tumours associated with increased survival include leftsided location, the absence of necroses or metastases, and low mitotic count.…”