Right heart pseudotumor simulated by ascitic pseudocyst. An unusual complication of peritoneovenous shunting.
Peritoneovenous shunting (PVS) for intractable ascites has an extensive clinical experience, with several well-described complications. We recently noted an unusual complication of PVS with a Denver shunt. A 37-year-old woman who had placement of a shunt for chylous ascites 18 months prior to presentation demonstrated on a large, mobile mass filling the right atrium which, during atrial systole, partially prolapsed into the right ventricle. At cardiac surgery, a 4 X 10 cm mass with attachment to the tip of the shunt was found. Intracardiac ascitic pseudocyst is a potentially lethal complication of PVS with the Denver shunt which should be considered with a high index of suspicion and evaluated with echocardiography.
D000328:Adult; D002915:Chylous Ascites / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006331:Heart Diseases / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D010536:Peritoneovenous Shunt / Q000009:adverse effects*