An unusual cause of cardiogenic shock: Left atrial compression by a spontaneous rupture of an aneurysm of the descending thoracic aorta. Issue 5 (May 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Corré, Jérôme; Chassaing, Stephan; Blanchard, Didier
• Is Part Of: Journal of cardiology cases. Volume 15:Issue 5(2017:May)
• Page Start: 153
• Page End: 154
• Publication Date: 2017-05
• Subjects: Left atrial compression -- Thoracic aortic aneurysm -- Cardiogenic shock; Cardiology -- Periodicals; Cardiovascular Diseases -- Case Reports; Cardiovascular Diseases -- Periodicals; Cardiology -- Case Reports; Cardiology -- Periodicals; Cardiology; Electronic journals; Periodicals; 616.12
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jccase.2016.12.009
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1878-5409

Abstract

Abstract: A 77-year-old woman presented with a feverish hemodynamic collapse, acute respiratory distress, and dorsal pain, initially treated as a septic shock. Transthoracic echocardiogram revealed an impressive compression of the left atrial cavity, by an extrinsic mass preventing the left ventricle from refilling. Thoracic computed tomography revealed a large hemomediastinum emerging from an aneurysm of the descending thoracic aorta compressing the left atrium. The patient died in refractory cardiogenic collapse. <Learning objective: In the management of cardiovascular collapse, the understanding of the mechanism or the cause is essential. For this purpose, echocardiogram is a fast and indispensable tool, sometimes allowing discovering surprising etiology.>