Occurrence of Lutembacher syndrome in a rural regional hospital: case report from Buea, Cameroon.

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Lutembacher syndrome (LS) is a rare cardiac clinical entity marked by the combination of an atrial septal defect (ASD) and mitral stenosis (MS). Its prognosis is influenced by several factors. CASE REPORT: We present the case of a young adult male who presented with a 10-month history of exertional dyspnea, orthopnoea, fatigue and cough. Clinical examination revealed features suggestive of advanced congestive heart failure. Echocardiography revealed severe MS and a secundum type ASD with pulmonary hypertension. Patient died on second day of admission. CONCLUSIONS: LS is a very rare condition. The outcome is better if treated before the onset of heart failure and pulmonary hypertension. However, surgical and percutaneous trans-catheter therapy is costly and not readily available in low-income settings in developing countries.