Myocardial Calcification with a Latent Risk of Congestive Heart Failure in a Patient with Apical Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy

Apical hypertrophic cardiomyopathy with apical endomyocardial fibrosis and calcification: Two case reports

RATIONALE

Apical hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (AHCM) is a rare form of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy which affects predominantly the apex of the left ventricle. Generally, left ventricular enlargement is not present in AHCM; additionally, endomyocardial fibrosis, and calcification are also rare.

PATIENT CONCERNS

A 61-year-old female (Case 1) and a 60-year-old female (Case 2) both presented with the symptoms of atypical chest pain, dyspnoea, exercise intolerance, palpitations.

DIAGNOSIS

Magnetic resonance and single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) revealed apical hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Furthermore, 2D-transthoracic echocardiogram showed left atrium and ventricular enlargement, as well as endomyocardial fibrosis and calcification. Based on these findings, the patients were diagnosed with AHCM.

INTERVENTIONS

Both the patients were treated with ACEI, metoprolol, and aspirin. Additionally, both these patient underwent genetic test.

OUTCOMES

The results of the genetic test of the 2 cases for hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) were negative. However, the gene mutation for dilated cardiomyopathy (TMPO) was detected in one of the cases. No change in condition during follow-up.

LESSONS

In past reports, Apical hypertrophic cardiomyopathy has been shown to have a benign prognosis. But in this case report, the imaging studies of the 2 patients suggest a poor prognosis. Furthermore, diagnosing cardiomyopathy should require multimodality imaging examinations to rule out differential diagnoses.

Massive Biventricular Myocardial Calcification in a Patient with Fulminant Myocarditis Requiring Ventricular Assist Device Support

The natural course of myocardial calcification is unclear. We herein report a case of massive biventricular myocardial calcification associated with fulminant myocarditis and present its natural course. The patient was a 15-year-old boy. Massive calcification was detected in both ventricles on computed tomography several months after left ventricular assist device placement. Although the calcification gradually regressed, the patient's cardiac function did not recover, and he underwent heart transplantation after a waiting period of 3 years. A histological examination revealed severe fibrosis in both ventricles of the original heart. Myocardial calcification might suggest severe myocardial inflammation and injury in cases of fulminant myocarditis.