ATRIAL FLUTTERS AS AN INITIAL PRESENTATION OF LUNG CANCER CAUSING MALIGNANT PERICARDIAL EFFUSION

Abstract

SESSION TITLE: Medical Student/Resident Lung Cancer Posters SESSION TYPE: Med Student/Res Case Rep Postr PRESENTED ON: October 18-21, 2020 INTRODUCTION: Pericardial effusion is a devastating cardiac condition, resulting from various etiology. Cardiac arrhythmia is an uncommon presentation of pericardial effusion, while atrial fibrillation is the most common arrhythmia found in this condition. Atrial flutter, as an initial presentation of malignant pericardial effusion, has not yet been reported. We presented a case of an elderly man with atrial flutter from malignant cardiac effusion from a newly diagnosed lung cancer. CASE PRESENTATION: An 81-year-old man, with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and hypertension, presented with acute onset shortness of breath. He used albuterol MDI but his symptoms were not improved. On evaluation, he had heart rate 179 beats per minute (bpm), blood pressure 172/118 mmHg without pulsus paradoxus, and respiratory rate of 26. He had good mental status and did not have jugular venous distention. Lungs exam was normal. Heart exam revealed tachycardia without murmur. His blood test was unremarkable. His ECG showed atrial flutter with rapid ventricular rate and 2:1 block. He received intravenous Diltiazem 20 mg and his heart rate decreased to 90. Point of care ultrasound (POCUS) showed large pericardial effusion without tamponade physiology and no signs of pulmonary edema. Computed tomography (CT) chest illustrated large pericardial effusion with new left upper lung mass. Cytology from pericardial effusion revealed squamous cell carcinoma. He was diagnosed as malignant pericardial effusion from advance stage squamous cell lung cancer. His hospital course was complicated with septic shock and eventually death. DISCUSSION: Lung cancer is the most common metastasis cancer to the heart and pericardium because of the proximity of the tumor to the heart [1]. There are several possible explanations of malignant pericardial effusion pathogenesis. First, it can be a result of cardiac lymphatic drainage occlusion by the tumor [2]. Second, local or hematogenous spread of the tumor lead to venous blood flow obstruction and an increase in hydrostatic pressure causing pericardial effusion [3]. Third, neoplastic pericardial involvement stimulates an overproduction of pericardial fluid [3]. Pericardial effusion in cancer patients may arise from complications of treatment, including chemotherapy and radiation, and hypoalbuminemia from malignancy-related cachexia. Cytology analysis of pericardial fluid and pericardial biopsy should be performed to confirm the diagnosis. Management includes pericardiocentesis, pericardial window, pericardial sclerosis, and radiation therapy. CONCLUSIONS: We presented a rare case of atrial flutter secondary to malignant pericardial effusion from newly diagnosis of advanced-stage lung cancer. Clinicians should have pericardial effusion as a differential diagnosis of patients with atrial flutter as this is a catastrophic condition, requiring urgent management. Reference #1: DeCamp MM, et al. Malignant effusive disease of the pleura and pericardium. Chest. 1997;112(4 Suppl):2915-2955. Reference #2: Chiles C, et al. Metastatic involvement of the heart and pericardium: CT and MR imaging. Radiographics. 2011;21(2):438-449. Reference #3: Scheinin SA, Sosa-Herrera J. Cardiac tamponade resembling an acute myocardial infarction as the initial manifestation of metastatic pericardial adenocarcinoma. Methodist Debakey Cardiovasc J. 2014; 10:124–128. DISCLOSURES: No relevant relationships by Nehad Shabarek, source=Web Response No relevant relationships by Kulachanya Suwanwongse, source=Web Response