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Differential Diagnosis for 86 Year Old Female with Echocardiogram Findings

Single Most Likely Diagnosis

  • Chronic Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction (HFpEF): Given the patient's age, LVEF >55%, and presence of moderate to severe mitral regurgitation, moderate aortic regurgitation, and moderate tricuspid regurgitation, HFpEF is a likely diagnosis. The mild left atrial enlargement also supports this diagnosis.

Other Likely Diagnoses

  • Degenerative Mitral Valve Disease: The presence of moderate to severe mitral regurgitation suggests degenerative mitral valve disease, which is common in elderly patients.
  • Aortic Valve Disease: Moderate aortic regurgitation indicates aortic valve disease, which could be due to degenerative changes, endocarditis, or other causes.
  • Tricuspid Valve Disease: Moderate tricuspid regurgitation may indicate tricuspid valve disease, which can be primary or secondary to other conditions such as pulmonary hypertension.

Do Not Miss Diagnoses

  • Pulmonary Embolism: Although the RVSP is elevated (50-55mmHg), it is essential to rule out pulmonary embolism, as it can be life-threatening and may not always present with typical symptoms.
  • Cardiac Amyloidosis: Given the patient's age and presence of heart failure symptoms, cardiac amyloidosis should be considered, as it can present with preserved ejection fraction and valvular regurgitation.
  • Constrictive Pericarditis: Although less likely, constrictive pericarditis can present with similar echocardiogram findings and should be considered to avoid missing this potentially treatable condition.

Rare Diagnoses

  • Loeffler's Endocarditis: A rare condition characterized by eosinophilic infiltration of the heart, which can cause valvular regurgitation and heart failure.
  • Carcinoid Heart Disease: A rare condition caused by metastatic carcinoid tumors, which can lead to tricuspid and pulmonary valve disease, as well as heart failure.
  • Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension (PAH) due to Rare Causes: Such as congenital heart disease, HIV, or schistosomiasis, which can present with elevated RVSP and right heart dysfunction.

Professional Medical Disclaimer

This information is intended for healthcare professionals. Any medical decision-making should rely on clinical judgment and independently verified information. The content provided herein does not replace professional discretion and should be considered supplementary to established clinical guidelines. Healthcare providers should verify all information against primary literature and current practice standards before application in patient care. Dr.Oracle assumes no liability for clinical decisions based on this content.

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