Rare cardiac metastasis of lung cancer mimicking aneurysm and tamponade

Abstract

Metastasis of non–small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) is a rare cause of cardiac metastatic tumors (CMT). We present a case of NSCLC infiltrating the apical left ventricle mimicking cardiac aneurysm and tamponade. The patient, who had a history of NSCLC, presented with acute shortness of breath and an echocardiogram concerning for ruptured left ventricular aneurysm. A neoplastic mass found at the cardiac apex suggested CMT leading to ventricular wall rupture and cardiac tamponade. Transthoracic echocardiography is the most ubiquitous imaging modality for CMT diagnosis, with cardiac magnetic resonance imaging offering a more detailed assessment. CMT from NSCLC can cause dangerous cardiac tamponade, warranting consideration in patients with suspected metastases.

KEY POINTS

• Metastasis of non–small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) to the heart is uncommon but can lead to serious complications including life-threatening cardiac tamponade.

• Diagnosis of cardiac metastatic tumors from NSCLC often involves echocardiography, but cardiac magnetic resonance imaging provides additional insights in cases where echocardiography results are inconclusive.

Keywords:

• Cardiac metastatic tumor
• cardiac tamponade
• non–small cell lung carcinoma
• ventricular aneurysm
• ventricular free wall rupture

Disclosure statement/Funding

The authors report no funding or conflicts of interest. The patient’s family provided permission to publish the case.