Cardiology in the Young

Table of Contents - August 2012 - Volume 22, Issue 04  

Review Article

Intracardiac masses in young Africans: case reports and a brief review of the literature

Ana O. H. Mocumbia1 c1

a1 Instituto do Coração, Universidade Eduardo Mondlane, Maputo, Mozambique

Abstract

Intracardiac masses in the young occur in some conditions that are prevalent in Africa. Although usually non-malignant, they may present with refractory heart failure and other complications that can be fatal. In the majority of cases, the aetiologic differentiation can be achieved by careful history, physical examination, basic laboratory tests, and transthoracic echocardiography. We report three cases in young Africans and discuss the aetiology, clinical presentation, diagnosis, management, and outcome of selected conditions in resource-limited settings.

(Received February 03 2011)

(Accepted February 03 2012)

(Online publication March 09 2012)

Keywords

Correspondence:

c1 Correspondence to: Dr A. O. H. Mocumbi, MD, PhD, Instituto do Coração, Avenue Kenneth Kaunda, 1111 Maputo, Mozambique. Tel: +258 21416347; Fax: +258 21414385; E-mail: amocumbi@yahoo.com

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