Pulmonary Embolism in a Patient With Hypertrophic Obstructive Cardiomyopathy: Think Outside "the Box"

Publication

Pulmonary Embolism in a Patient With Hypertrophic Obstructive Cardiomyopathy: Think Outside "the Box"

Journal Paper/Review - Mar 4, 2021

Wartenweiler Marianna, Dellas Buser Theresa, Jörg Lucas, Schwarz Ruben, Rickli Hans, Maeder Micha

Citation

Wartenweiler M, Dellas Buser T, Jörg L, Schwarz R, Rickli H, Maeder M. Pulmonary Embolism in a Patient With Hypertrophic Obstructive Cardiomyopathy: Think Outside "the Box". Can J Cardiol 2021; 37:1275-1277.

Type

Journal Paper/Review (English)

Journal

Can J Cardiol 2021; 37

Publication Date

Mar 4, 2021

Issn Electronic

1916-7075

Pages

1275-1277

Brief description/objective

A patient with hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy (HOCM) was admitted with acute heart failure. Echocardiography revealed significantly worsened left ventricular outflow tract obstruction and pulmonary hypertension. Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging showed biventricular dysfunction and, as an unexpected finding, a large embolus in the right pulmonary artery. The patient gradually improved with medical therapy including oral anticoagulation. In HOCM patients, pulmonary embolism may trigger heart failure due to impaired left ventricular filling with consecutive outflow tract obstruction provocation.