Work

Heart as white as stone, reborn: an unusual case report of idiopathic myocardial calcifications leading to end-stage heart failure and cardiac transplantation

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Background: Massive myocardial calcifications without an underlying cause are a rare entity of unknown pathophysiology that could result in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction and restrictive physiology. The role of heart transplantation in these cases is unclear due to a lack of data and a concern that calcifications could reoccur in a transplanted organ. Case summary: We describe herein a 61-year-old patient who presented with new-onset heart failure with preserved ejection fraction. Multimodality imaging evaluation was consistent with restrictive cardiomyopathy secondary to massive myocardial calcifications. Extensive workup did not detect an underlying aetiology that could lead to development of myocardial calcifications. Eventually, at the age of 66, the patient underwent successful heart transplantation without evidence of calcification recurrence during a long-term follow-up of 9 years. Conclusion: Massive myocardial calcifications could result in end-stage heart failure. Heart transplantation might be considered a safe and reasonable therapeutic option in patients with idiopathic myocardial calcifications.

Source: European Heart Journal - Case Reports

DOI: 10.1093/ehjcr/ytaf523

Authors: Alexander Fardman, Yael Peled, Orly Goitein, Shira Goldenberg, Roy Beigel

Institutions: Tel Aviv University, Sheba Medical Center, Maccabi Healthcare Services

Language: English

Topic: Transplantation: Methods and Outcomes

Subfield: Surgery

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $815