Case 5/2013 - A Four-Year-Old Boy with a Rhabdomyoma-Type Cardiac Tumor in Both Ventricles and Repeated Ventricular Tachycardia

Abstract

Clinical data: Chest radiography performed during upper respiratory tract infection at 5 months of age suggested heart disease because of a deformity observed in the ventricular arch. At that time, echocardiography confirmed the presence of two tumor masses in both ventricles. At nine months of age, the patient started to present with episodes of paroxysmal ventricular tachycardia, with a heart rate of approximately 200 bpm, accompanied by diaphoresis and paleness, all reverted after electrical cardioversion. The episodes recurred for five times, despite the systematic use of antiarrhythmic medication comprising propranolol and amiodarone. Physical examination: Active, eupneic, mucous membranes pink, normal pulses. Weight: 17 kg. Height: 97 cm. BP: 90/52-61 mmHg. HR: 100 bpm. Aorta non-palpable in the suprasternal notch area. No deformities were observed in the precordium; the apical impulse was not palpable and there were no systolic impulses. The heart sounds were normal with no murmurs. The liver was not palpable.