Electrical storm due to Epstein-Barr virus-induced lymphoma of a transplanted heart: a case report

Abstract

Background: Cancers, and specifically lymphomas, are one of the main causes of morbidity and mortality after heart transplantation. Sixteen percent of heart transplant recipients develop cancer within 5 years and lymphomas represent 10% of these patients. Case summary: We report the case of an Epstein-Barr Virus-induced primary cardiac lymphoma on the graft. The patient initially present an electrical storm quickly controlled under medical treatment. The multimodal exploration led us to the diagnosis of lymphoma. The lymphoma has spread quickly in spite of the numerous treatments we have tried and has resulted in arrhythmia complications. Discussion: This case report highlights the challenging management of heart transplant lymphoma and its treatment. Primary cardiac lymphoma on the graft is highly rare with poor prognosis and arrhythmia complications.