Left atrial calcification in a hemodialysis patient with cor triatriatum

Extensive myocardial calcifications in a dialysis patient: A porcelain heart manifesting with abdominal pain

This case report describes a 41-year-old male patient with chronic kidney disease on peritoneal dialysis presenting with upper abdominal pain and mild thigh numbness. CT chest demonstrated extensive myocardial calcifications and left atrial thrombus. This case emphasizes the clinical relevance of myocardial calcifications, especially in patients with end-stage renal disease. It also highlights the potential association between these calcifications and complications such as atrial fibrillation and thromboembolic events. The findings emphasize the need for diagnostic vigilance and an improved understanding of the pathophysiology of myocardial calcifications in the context of renal disease.

"Porcelain heart" a case of acute heart failure with massive myocardial calcification complicated with primary hyperparathyroidism

A 47-year-old Japanese woman was transported to our hospital due to acute heart failure (AHF). She had been diagnosed with primary hyperparathyroidism (pHPT) and undergone parathyroidectomy 3 months previously. Chest X-ray showed marked cardiomegaly and severe pulmonary congestion, and transthoracic echocardiography indicated both left ventricular (LV) systolic and diastolic dysfunction, complicated with extensive massive myocardial calcification and no LV hypertrophy. Computed tomography also showed massive myocardial calcification in the posterior wall of the LV and the interventricular septum. After treatment with furosemide, olprinone, and carperitide under Swan-Ganz monitoring, LV ejection fraction was almost normalized. However, cardiac catheterization in the chronic phase indicated that LV diastolic dysfunction still existed, which might be affected by myocardial calcification. We followed this patient using spironolactone (25 mg/day), perindopril (8 mg/day), and bisoprolol (1.25 mg/day), with no further episode of heart failure for at least 6 months. Here, we report a rare case of AHF complicated with massive myocardial calcification possibly caused by primary hyperparathyroidism. <Learning objective: This is the first case report of acute heart failure due to left ventricular systolic and diastolic dysfunction, complicated with massive myocardial calcification, "porcelain heart", possibly caused by primary hyperparathyroidism.>.

Heart Failure Associated with Metastatic Myocardial Calcification in a Hemodialysis Patient with Progressive Calcification of the Hand

Metastatic myocardial calcification is a frequent cause of heart failure in hemodialysis patients. However, early detection is difficult, often resulting in a poor prognosis. A 47-year-old man with hemodialysis-dependent end-stage renal disease presented with progressive dyspnea. Levels of serum phosphate, calcium, and intact parathyroid hormone were poorly controlled. He developed pain in his right thumb 1 year before presentation, and the pain gradually increased and extended to the entire right hand. Hand radiography 1 month earlier had revealed significant progressive calcification. Echocardiography showed severe, diffuse hypokinesis and pericardial effusion as well as possible anterior myocardial calcification with high echogenicity. Chest computed tomography revealed a severely dilated heart with anterior massive myocardial calcification and a large amount of pericardial effusion, which was not detected on computed tomography performed 20 months earlier. The patient was diagnosed with heart failure associated with metastatic myocardial calcification and died suddenly 2 weeks later. This experience suggests that progressive metastatic calcification of the skin and subcutaneous tissue is useful for predicting myocardial calcification.

Massive left atrial calcification associated with mitral valve replacement

Calcification of the left atrium can be observed in patients with a long-lasting rheumatic heart disease. However, massive calcification of the atrial wall, so called porcelain or coconut atrium is very rare and has been generally reported only as incidental radiographic findings. We report a case of massive and firm calcifications at the left atrium in patient who underwent mitral valve replacement.

Idiopathic massive myocardial calcification: a case report and review of the literature

We report a rare case of massive myocardial calcification in a 42-year-old male who presented with symptoms of congestive heart failure and arrhythmia. Myocardial calcification is most commonly associated with myocardial infarction or, less commonly, hypercalcemia. This case is particularly unusual due to the lack of any known predisposing risk factors, including normal coronary arteries, normal renal function, and normal serum calcium levels. Alternative etiologies are discussed accompanied by a review of the literature.

Massive left atrial calcification and devastating systemic emboli in a patient with chronic renal failure

Valvular calcification is a common consequence of systemic calcium deposition resulting from chronic renal failure. Thrombi can form on such vascular calcifications and embolize to the cerebral, myocardial, and mesenteric vasculature with devastating consequences. We report the unique case of a patient with myocardial and cerebrovascular ischemia resulting from emboli arising from a massive mitral annular calcification.