Echocardiographic Diagnosis of Right Atrial Perforation due to Primary Cardiac Angiosarcoma Using Hand-Agitated Saline Contrast

  • Kim, Yong-Giun (Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine) ;
  • Kim, Won-Jang (Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine) ;
  • Park, Gyung-Min (Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine) ;
  • Son, Jong-Min (Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine) ;
  • Kang, Duk-Hyun (Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine) ;
  • Song, Jae-Kwan (Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine)
  • Published : 2008.09.27

Abstract

Primary cardiac angiosarcoma is a rare and rapidly progressing tumor characterized by high predilection for right-sided heart involvement and a very poor prognosis. In this report, we present a case of angiosarcoma involving right atrium and ventricle in 61-year old woman with clinical presentation of repeated bloody pericardial effusion. Right atrial perforation was confirmed by contrast echocardiography using hand-agitated saline contrast. Primary cardiac angiosarcoma was confirmed by histological and immunohistochemical studies.

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