Cor Vasa 2013, 55(5):e453-e456 | DOI: 10.1016/j.crvasa.2012.12.007

Deceitful dissimulation of dyspnoea

Krystyna Kluz^a,b,*, Ondřej Toman^a, Jiří Pařenica^a, Martin Poloczek^a, Martin Tesák^a,d, Jaroslav Boudný^c, Jindřich Špinar^a, Martin Fiala^a,b

^a Interní kardiologická klinika, Lékařská fakulta Masarykovy univerzity a Fakultní nemocnice Brno, Brno, Česká republika

^b Oddělení kardiologie, Nemocnice Podlesí, a. s., Třinec, Česká republika (současné pracoviště MUDr. Krystyny Kluz)

^c Radiologická klinika, Lékařská fakulta Masarykovy univerzity a Fakultní nemocnice Brno, Brno, Česká republika

^d Interní oddělení, Nemocnice Třebíč, Třebíč, Česká republika (současné pracoviště MUDr. Martina Tesáka)

We present a case of a young woman, who was examined for polymorphic complaints. Life-threatening complications during a standard treatment occurred, because of severe left ventricular dysfunction caused by an incessant atrial tachycardia and subsequent tachycardia induced cardiomyopathy. The only symptom reflecting the serious diagnosis was a mild dyspnoea on exertion. Because of patient's dissimulation, this symptom was uncovered late. Focal atrial tachycardia was successfully treated with catheter ablation and the treatment resulted in normalization of the left ventricular systolic function in three months.

Keywords: Dyspnoea; Incessant focal atrial tachycardia; Tachycardia induced cardiomyopathy

Received: November 27, 2012; Accepted: December 30, 2012; Published: October 1, 2013  Show citation