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Congenital absence of pericardium: a nomad heart

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  10 November 2014

Liliana Marta
Affiliation:
Hospital da Luz, Lisbon, Portugal
António M. Ferreira*
Affiliation:
Hospital da Luz, Lisbon, Portugal
Katya R. Santos
Affiliation:
Hospital da Luz, Lisbon, Portugal
*
Correspondence to: Dr A. M. Ferreira, MD, Hospital da Luz, Avenida Lusíada, 100, 1500-650 Lisbon, Portugal. Tel: +351 217 104 400; Fax: +351 217 104 409; E-mail: antonio.ferreira@hospitaldaluz.pt

Abstract

Congenital pericardial absence is a rare cardiac defect. Although most patients are asymptomatic, recognising this condition is clinically important as it can cause serious complications. We report the case of an asymptomatic 33-year-old woman seeking medical attention due to a family history of sudden cardiac death. The investigation led us to the diagnosis of congenital absence of the pericardium. The role of imaging in the diagnosis of this rare cardiac malformation is briefly discussed.

Type
Brief Reports
Copyright
© Cambridge University Press 2014 

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References

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