Cardiac Myxoma Presenting as Dyspnea after Cesarean Delivery

Introduction. Dyspnea during pregnancy and in the immediate postpartum or postoperative period is a relatively common symptom that can be an early sign of a life threatening condition. The differential diagnosis is broad and can represent a wide variety of underlying etiologies. Cardiac tumors are...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Allison Wyman, William Hurd, Justin Lappen
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2012-01-01
Series:Case Reports in Medicine
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2012/487385
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Summary:Introduction. Dyspnea during pregnancy and in the immediate postpartum or postoperative period is a relatively common symptom that can be an early sign of a life threatening condition. The differential diagnosis is broad and can represent a wide variety of underlying etiologies. Cardiac tumors are one of the rarest causes of dyspnea in a reproductive age women during the postpartum period. Case Presentation. 42-years old G7P1051 presented with acute dyspnea postoperatively after an elected uncomplicated repeat cesarean section and tubal ligation. The patient was diagnosed with a large left atrial cardiac myxoma and required urgent cardiothoracic surgery. Conclusion. The following case illustrates how a standard response to a common postpartum symptom, dyspnea, can divert and distract from less common exam findings. A careful, stepwise evaluation of symptoms and related findings will usually determine the underlying cause so that appropriate and timely treatment can be initiated.
ISSN:1687-9627
1687-9635