Atrial fibrillation in a pediatric patient caused by an unusual malignant etiology: A case report

Front Pediatr. 2023 Feb 23:11:1051041. doi: 10.3389/fped.2023.1051041. eCollection 2023.

Abstract

This case report describes a 15-year-old patient with a known congenital malformation syndrome and immune deficiency, presenting with new-onset atrial fibrillation (AF) after a recent diagnosis of an intrathoracic mass. Transthoracic echocardiography showed a structurally and functionally normal heart and workup confirmed a primary diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, with pericardial and left atrial involvement on cardiac magnetic resonance imaging. Electrical cardioversion was successfully performed to convert the AF and chemotherapy was promptly started. Antiarrhythmic treatment was continued for 6 weeks, without recurrent AF. We discuss the pathogenesis of AF in the setting of malignancies as well as the management strategies of AF, mainly based on adult guidelines.

Keywords: atrial fibrillation; cardiac involvement; cardioversion; child; lymphoma; pericardial invasion.

Publication types

  • Case Reports