Cor Pulmonale an Overlooked Complication of Pulmonary Tuberculosis: A Case Report
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Abstract
Background: Cardiovascular complications are rare in tuberculosis. It causes severe morbidity and mortality. There is paucity of data on cor pulmonale as a complication of pulmonary tuberculosis in pediatric population in Nigeria. Physicians need to develop high index of suspicion in order to ensure early diagnosis and prompt treatment. Case Presentation: In this case report, a 16-year old female, presented with constitutional symptoms of three months duration with acute deterioration evidenced by tachycardia, tachypnoea and hypoxia. Chest radiograph documented widespread reticulonodular opacities involving both lungs with mildly dilated cardiac silhoette (cardiothoracic ratio of 50.8%). Sputum and stool gene xpert were positive for rifampicin non-resistant tuberculosis. Electrocardiography revealed sinus rhythm with AV block 1 while echocardiography showed dilated right ventricle with borderline systolic function and interventricular septal shift to the left. A diagnosis of disseminated tuberculosis (lungs and spine) complicated with cor pulmonale was made. Treatment initiated with anti-tuberculosis, oxygen, steroids, diuretics recorded near complete resolution of symptoms. Conclusion: We recommend cardiac workup in all pulmonary tuberculosis cases with disproportionate tachycardia.
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Copyright (c) 2025 Okeke Chinelo Vivian, Antia Samuel Edem, Ogoke Victor Ikechukwu, Eze James Ejikeme, Antia Grace Amarachi, Okoro Kenneth Johnson
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Creative Commons License All articles published in Annals of Medicine and Medical Sciences are licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Okeke Chinelo Vivian, Consultant Pediatrician, National Obstetrics Fistula Center Abakaliki Ebonyi State Nigeria.
Consultant Pediatrician, National Obstetrics Fistula Center Abakaliki Ebonyi State Nigeria.
Antia Samuel Edem, Consultant Cardiologist, Alex Ekueme Federal University Teaching Hospital Abakaliki Ebonyi State Nigeria.
Consultant Cardiologist, Alex Ekueme Federal University Teaching Hospital Abakaliki Ebonyi State Nigeria.
Ogoke Victor Ikechukwu, Consultant Gynaecologist, Imo State University Teaching Hospital Orlu Ummuna Nigeria.
Consultant Gynaecologist, Imo State University Teaching Hospital Orlu Ummuna Nigeria.
Eze James Ejikeme, Consultant Pediatrician, Alex Ekueme Federal University Teaching Hospital Abakaliki Ebonyi State Nigeria.
Consultant Pediatrician, Alex Ekueme Federal University Teaching Hospital Abakaliki Ebonyi State Nigeria.
Antia Grace Amarachi, Pediatric Resident, National Obstetrics Fistula Center Abakaliki Ebonyi State Nigeria.
Pediatric Resident, National Obstetrics Fistula Center Abakaliki Ebonyi State Nigeria.
Okoro Kenneth Johnson, Consultant Pediatrician, Alex Ekueme Federal University Teaching Hospital Abakaliki Ebonyi State Nigeria.
Consultant Pediatrician, Alex Ekueme Federal University Teaching Hospital Abakaliki Ebonyi State Nigeria.
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