Angiosarcoma of the right atrium presenting as collapse

Pericardial effusion may originate from a wide variety of underlying pathology. Primary cardiac malignancy should always be considered as a rare underlying cause. Angiosarcoma is the most common cardiac malignancy, which often arises as a mass in the right atrium. We describe a young patient with collapse due to pericardial effusion caused by a primary cardiac angiosarcoma. The case is an example of the difficulties and dilemmas which may be encountered in assessing the diagnosis of cardiac angiosarcoma. (c) 2007 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.