A rare cause of heart failure

Abstract

Infi ltration of the heart in generalized lymphoma can lead to impaired cardiac function. Usually this manifests as heart failure, arrhythmias or systemic embolism. The case report describes a 64-year-old woman who presented with progressive shortness of breath and lower extremities edema. Extensive diagnostic workup including cardiac magnetic resonance imaging and CT scan revealed a well-defi ned, right-sided cardiac mass and generalized lymphadenopathy. The dimensions of the lesion were 90 × 80-90 × 90 mm and the tumor expanded predominantly into the right atrial septum and the mouth of the upper vena cava. In addition, the outfl ow tracts of both chambers were also affected. Despite prompt and rigorous treatment, the patient died four days following admission due to sudden cardiac arrest. Post-mortem histological assessment verifi ed a non-Hodgkin's diffuse B-cell lymphoma.