A Rare Case of Chronic Expanding Intrapericardial Hematoma with Refractory Right-sided Heart Failure 30 Years after the Surgical Repair of Tetralogy of Fallot

Abstract

We herein report the case of a 79-year-old man who presented with right-sided heart failure (HF) 27 years after undergoing surgery for tetralogy of Fallot. The HF did not respond well to oral diuretics. Transthoracic echocardiography and chest X-ray failed to determine the cause of the HF for three years. An intrapericardial mass located just behind the sternum, was finally identified on computed tomography. The mass had compressed the right ventricle, causing right-sided HF. Pre-surgical diagnostic images led to suspicion of a chronic expanding intrapericardial hematoma (CEIH), and the CEIH was surgically removed. The patient's symptoms improved markedly.