Unresectable cardiac pseudoneoplasms causing ventricular tachycardia

Cardiovasc Pathol. 2014 Nov-Dec;23(6):372-5. doi: 10.1016/j.carpath.2014.07.009. Epub 2014 Aug 7.

Abstract

Cardiac pseudoneoplasms are rare and benign. According to World Health Organization, they are classified as tumor-like lesions. We report two patients with recurrent ventricular tachycardia (VT) in whom magnetic resonance imaging revealed a pathological mass occupying a large part of the left ventricle. The localization of both tumors precluded the possibility of resection; thus, only surgical biopsy was performed. After deducting the prospect of malignancy of the tumors, we treated both patients with amiodarone and implantation of a cardioverter-defibrillator [implanted cardioverter/defibrillator (ICD)]. VT is one of many probable symptoms indicating a tumor within the heart; therefore, treatment with an ICD should only be considered after a more thorough diagnosis.

Keywords: Heart tumor; Ventricular tachycardia.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Amiodarone / therapeutic use
  • Anti-Arrhythmia Agents / therapeutic use
  • Defibrillators, Implantable
  • Electrocardiography
  • Female
  • Heart Neoplasms / complications*
  • Heart Neoplasms / pathology
  • Heart Neoplasms / surgery
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Tachycardia, Ventricular / diagnosis
  • Tachycardia, Ventricular / etiology*
  • Tachycardia, Ventricular / therapy

Substances

  • Anti-Arrhythmia Agents
  • Amiodarone