PRIMARY CARDIAC LYMPHOMA WITH INFILTRATION OF THE ATRIOVENTRICULAR NODE - REMISSION WITH REVERSAL OF THE ATRIOVENTRICULAR-BLOCK INDUCED BY CHEMOTHERAPY

We describe a rare case of primary cardiac lymphoma associated with co mplete atrioventricular block, with recovery following systemic chemot herapy. A 61 year-old woman was admitted because of a massive pericard ial effusion and complete atrioventricular block. Echocardiography dis closed several polypoid masses in the right atrium, A diagnosis of pri mary cardiac lymphoma was made. After three cycles of chemotherapy, th e patient achieved a complete remission, the ECG showed first-degree a trioventricular block, and echocardiography revealed disappearance of the right atrial masses, This is the first report of a patient recover ing from primary cardiac lymphoma and complete atrioventricular block following systemic chemotherapy. We conclude that aggressive treatment of tl-lis malignancy carl improve cardiac function and the patient's prognosis.