LAUSR

CLINICAL INTRODUCTION A woman in her 70s was admitted due to acute bacterial endocarditis causing severe aortic regurgitation. She was previously implanted with an implantable cardioverter–defibrillator for secondary prevention, and she had a history of lung adenocarcinoma (stage IIIa) treated with chemotherapy and awaiting surgical removal. The patient underwent successful bioprosthetic aortic valve replacement. Ten days later, an echocardiography was performed showing a normal functioning of the bioprosthetic valve and preserved biventricular systolic function, and highlighting a moderate (diameter between 10 mm and 16 mm), circumferential, pericardial effusion (PE) with no signs of cardiac tamponade. A very mobile mass was noted (Figure 1) within the pericardium, at the basal portion of the anterolateral wall. Collaterally, the presence of a severe bilateral pleural effusion was also reported.