An unexpected cause of right heart strain

BMJ Case Rep. 2013 Aug 29:2013:bcr2013200216. doi: 10.1136/bcr-2013-200216.

Abstract

A 27-year-old woman was referred from her general practitioner (GP) 6 weeks postpartum with weight loss, dyspnoea and bilateral leg swelling. She had been treated by the GP for a chest infection the week before. On admission she was tachycardic, hypotensive and hypoxic with bilateral leg oedema and bibasal crackles. A chest radiograph showed diffuse multinodular opacification. A CT pulmonary angiogram showed dilated pulmonary artery. Echocardiogram confirmed right ventricular strain and dilation. Sputum microscopy was positive for acid-fast bacilli. The patient developed confusion and low-grade fever and the CT head scan showed meningeal involvement. One year of antituberculous therapy was started and she made a clinical recovery after 10 days and was discharged with regular follow-up. An echocardiogram showed resolution of the right heart strain 4 months later.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Lung / diagnostic imaging
  • Pulmonary Heart Disease / etiology*
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed
  • Tuberculosis, Miliary / complications
  • Tuberculosis, Miliary / diagnosis*
  • Tuberculosis, Miliary / diagnostic imaging