Antibody-mediated red blood cell agglutination resulting in spontaneous echocardiographic contrast.
Spontaneous echocardiographic contrast is well reported in states of low flow and low shear stress, and the primary blood component involved has been reported as red blood cells via rouleaux formation. This report describes the occurrence of spontaneous echocardiographic contrast from a unique mechanism of IgM-mediated red blood cell agglutination and describes the clinical sequelae.
Miller
M R
MR
Division of Pediatric Cardiology, Johns Hopkins University, 600 North Wolfe Street, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA.
Thompson
W R
WR
Casella
J F
JF
Spevak
P J
PJ
D000744:Anemia, Hemolytic, Autoimmune / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000276:immunology; D000888:Antibodies, Anti-Idiotypic / Q000276:immunology*; D001344:Autopsy; D002303:Cardiac Output, Low / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology; D002648:Child; D004452:Echocardiography; D004903:Erythrocyte Aggregation / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000276:immunology; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007075:Immunoglobulin M / Q000276:immunology*
D000888:Antibodies, Anti-Idiotypic; D007075:Immunoglobulin M