Published online May 16, 2014. doi: 10.12998/wjcc.v2.i5.142
Revised: March 4, 2014
Accepted: April 25, 2014
Published online: May 16, 2014
Dystrophic cardiac calcification is often associated with conditions causing systemic inflammation and when present, is usually extensive, often encompassing multiple cardiac chambers and valves. We present an unusual case of dystrophic left atrial calcification in the setting of end stage renal disease on hemodialysis diagnosed by echocardiography and computed tomography. Significant calcium deposition is confined within the walls of the left atrium with no involvement of the mitral valve, and no hemodynamic effects.
Core tip: Dystrophic cardiac calcification can often lead to complicated valvular stenosis, cardiac arrhythmias, cardiac block and abnormal cardiac hemodynamics by effecting systolic and diastolic cardiac function, thus awareness, early detection and treatment of the underlying cause, and resulting complications is key to patient outcome.