A Rare Presentation of Cardiac Rhabdomyoma in Children: Sudden Cardiac Arrest

Abstract

Cardiac rhabdomyomas are mostly asymptomatic. Although the mechanism has not been well characterised, cardiac rhabdomyomas can lead to ventricular tachycardia (VT). We report a case of cardiac rhabdomyoma in which the initial presentation was sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) due to VT. Previously healthy 16-yearold boy collapsed after he worked at farm. After successful resuscitation and cardioversion, he was admitted to the hospital. Non-sustained VT was detected on 24-hour Holter monitoring. Transthoracic echocardiography and magnetic resonance imaging showed a mass on the left ventricle apex. After surgical resection, Holter tests were completely normal. The histopathologic study confirmed the diagnosis of rhabdomyoma. Data regarding arrhythmias associated with cardiac rhabdomyoma are limited with small series. Management strategies include antiarrhythmics, cardioverter-defibrillator and surgery, but as to which strategy can be considered as optimal remains unclear. Benign cardiac tumours should be kept in mind as a cause of SCA in children and resection seems to be effective for treating associated VT.