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(Circulation. 1962;26:114.)
© 1962 American Heart Association, Inc.

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Congenital Defect of the Pericardium

Its Resemblance to Pulmonary Artery Enlargement

NOBLE O. FOWLER M.D.¹

¹ From the Cardiac Laboratory, Cincinnati General Hospital, and the Department of Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio.

A 20-year-old woman with partial absence of the parietal pericardium is described. Radiologically, there was unusual prominence of the pulmonary are segment and the entire heart appeared to be shifted to the left. The electrocardiogram showed abnormal right axis deviation and suggested right ventricular hypertrophy. Right heart catheterization showed no evidence of pulmonary hypertension. Following the induction of left pneumothorax, air appeared in the right pleural space and in the pericardial space. A diagnosis of partial absence of the parietal pericardium was made. The recognition of this disorder is of importance because pulmonary hypertension or pulmonary valve stenosis with post-stenotic dilation of the pulmonary artery may be simulated, both radiologically and electrocardiographically.