have had 2 different CT scans (with iodine) about a year apart from each other. The first one said I had a pericardial cyst on the right atrium of my heart. The second one said the same thing but the dimensions were different meaning it changed shape/size. They found it accidentally when I went into the hospital for chest pain at the lower part of my left breast closer to my xiphoid process. After going through cardiologists and them telling me that the cyst wouldn't cause me that pain I gave up for a while. Then the second CT scared me enough that I am now seeking even more medical attention. Everything I have read says that almost all pericardial cysts are asymptomatic and that they are mostly just filled with a fluid close to the density of water. I am currently going to school to be an M.A. and have noticed that my pulse started out at around 84 which is normal but within the last month to month and a half it has increased to about 96-98 bpm consistantly. My blood pressure has always ran a little low it was just at 102/70 on Wednesday which is a little high for me but I was about to have an endoscopy and colonoscopy so I was probably a bit nervous. Would the pericardial cyst cause my heart rate to increase that high and would it cause me pain? Is this something that I need to be really paying attention to or is it just a coincidence? Thank you.
2014-11-10 12:01:09
It is not necessarily true that a pericardial cyst is asymptomatic. The size and position and growing can be a problematic although most cysts are benign. If present symptoms are usually due to compression of adjacent organs and include atypical chest pain difficult breathing and persistent cough. "Cardiac tamponade" (chronic compression of the heart by pericardial effusion and pericardial thickening) obstruction of right main stem bronchus and sudden death are the life threatening emergencies that have been reported (worst case scenario). Other reported complications include right ventricular outflow obstruction inflammation and infection pulmonary stenosis partial erosion into adjacent structures atrial fibrillation and congestive heart failure. There could be an increase in heart rate to compensate. A few pericardial cysts resolve spontaneously likely from rupture into the pleural space. The rates of spontaneous resolution or complications have not been reported. Since operative risks of minimally invasive techniques are extremely low it would seem reasonable to offer resection for all pericardial cysts in otherwise healthy patients for whom the risk of surgery is low. If the cyst appears to be growing and for other reasons you and your doctor may decide to have cyst removed.
2014-11-10 12:02:26
