A surgical case of right atrial wall perforation caused by an invasive angiosarcoma

Interdiscip Cardiovasc Thorac Surg. 2024 Dec 25;40(1):ivae222. doi: 10.1093/icvts/ivae222.

Abstract

Cardiac angiosarcoma is a rare, diagnostically elusive disease with a poor prognosis. Herein, we describe the case of a 61-year-old man who presented with cardiac tamponade caused by perforation of the right atrial wall resulting from an invasive angiosarcoma. The tumour, which had spread throughout the entire right atrial free wall, was resected under cardiopulmonary bypass. Subsequent reconstruction of the right atrial wall involved the use of both autologous and bovine pericardial patches. Cardiac wall rupture due to invasive cardiac angiosarcoma is an extremely rare complication, with only a few cases reported. Therefore, we also review the relevant literature herein.

Keywords: angiosarcoma; cardiac tamponade; right atrial wall perforation.