Gastric ulcer perforation into the heart

• Published in: Endoscopy Vol. 28; no. 3; p. 316
• Main Authors: Brullet, E, Campo, R, Combalía, N, Marqués, G, Armengol-Miró, J R
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Germany 01.03.1996
• Subjects: Aged; Cardiomyopathies - diagnosis; Cardiomyopathies - pathology; Female; Gastric Fistula - diagnosis; Gastric Fistula - pathology; Gastroscopy; Heart Ventricles - pathology; Humans; Palliative Care; Peptic Ulcer Perforation - diagnosis; Peptic Ulcer Perforation - pathology; Pericardium - pathology; Stomach Ulcer - diagnosis; Stomach Ulcer - pathology
• ISSN: 0013-726X
• DOI: 10.1055/s-2007-1005463

Penetration of the pericardium and heart is a very rare complication of benign peptic ulcer. The case is reported here of a 76-year-old woman with advanced senile dementia, who was admitted due to melena. Endoscopy revealed a large gastric ulcer located in a giant hiatal hernia. The ulcer base was protruding and strongly pulsatile, and seemed to be mobile and free in relation to the ulcer margins. This effect was particularly obvious during the pulsatile movements. Endoscopic findings suggested ulcer perforation to the pericardium. The patient's relatives denied consent to surgery. She was therefore treated with conservative measures, including parenteral nutrition, ranitidine, and antibiotics. The patient remained in a relatively stable condition, and she was discharged three weeks later. One month later, however, she was admitted with massive bleeding and hypovolemic shock. In spite of resuscitation measures, she died. The autopsy study showed a gastric ulcer penetrating through the pericardium and myocardium into the left ventricle.