Isolated Partial Congenital Absence of the Pericardium: A Familial Presentation

Can J Cardiol. 2016 Aug;32(8):1039.e1-2. doi: 10.1016/j.cjca.2015.09.001. Epub 2015 Sep 12.

Abstract

Congenital defects of the pericardium are uncommon heart abnormalities. Most of the patients are asymptomatic and are usually diagnosed incidentally. Complications are more common in partial absence than in complete absence of the pericardium; thus, this congenital defect should be identified because of the associated risk of sudden death. We report the first mention in the literature, to our knowledge, of a 3-generation familial presentation of isolated congenital partial absence of the pericardium with similar physical examination and radiological findings.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Aged
  • Asymptomatic Diseases
  • Electrocardiography
  • Heart Defects, Congenital / diagnosis
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Cine
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Pericardium / abnormalities*