Illustration of a Double-Chambered Right Ventricle with a muscular band dividing the heart.

Rare Heart Condition Mimics Other Ailments: What You Need to Know

Nico Varela in Health & Wellness December 2025 • 4 min read.

"Understanding Double-Chambered Right Ventricle and Associated Endocarditis"

Heart conditions can present in unexpected ways, sometimes mimicking other ailments and making diagnosis a challenge. One such condition is Double-Chambered Right Ventricle (DCRV), a rare congenital heart defect that can lead to serious complications if not properly identified and treated. This article explores a fascinating case study that highlights the complexities of DCRV and its association with endocarditis, an infection of the heart valves.

DCRV is characterized by an abnormal muscle band that divides the right ventricle into two chambers, leading to high pressure in one area and low pressure in another. This unusual anatomy can cause a variety of symptoms and can be easily confused with other heart conditions, such as ventricular septal defects (VSD).

We'll delve into a real-life case of a woman diagnosed with DCRV and endocarditis, examining the diagnostic process, treatment strategies, and key takeaways for both patients and healthcare professionals. Understanding the nuances of DCRV is crucial for timely and effective intervention.

Decoding Double-Chambered Right Ventricle (DCRV): Why Early Diagnosis Matters

Illustration of a Double-Chambered Right Ventricle with a muscular band dividing the heart.

DCRV is a rare congenital heart defect where a muscle band splits the right ventricle (RV) into two distinct chambers. This division creates a high-pressure inlet and a low-pressure outlet, disrupting normal blood flow. Because of its ability to mimic more common conditions, diagnosis can be challenging.

In around 90% of cases, DCRV occurs alongside another heart defect called a perimembranous ventricular septal defect (pmVSD). This makes accurate diagnosis even more critical, as misidentification can lead to incorrect treatment and potential complications.

DCRV can be easily missed on echocardiograms because the high-velocity jet of blood flow from the RV outflow tract can be mistaken for the shunt flow of pmVSD.
Accurate preoperative diagnosis of DCRV is essential to avoid RV failure and reduce perioperative mortality.
Pulmonary valve endocarditis is rare, accounting for less than 2% of admissions for endocarditis. Half of these cases occur in patients with congenital heart disease.

A recent case highlights the challenges of DCRV diagnosis. A 37-year-old woman was referred for a heart murmur. She experienced cough, hemoptysis, and dyspnea. After initial tests and treatments failed, further investigation revealed both tricuspid and pulmonary valve endocarditis associated with DCRV. This case demonstrates the importance of considering rare conditions when common treatments don't alleviate symptoms.

Key Takeaways: What This Means for You

This case emphasizes the importance of vigilance and thorough investigation when diagnosing heart conditions. If you or someone you know experiences persistent heart-related symptoms, especially in the presence of a heart murmur, it's crucial to consult with a cardiologist who can consider a broad range of possibilities.

While DCRV is rare, early diagnosis and intervention can significantly improve outcomes. Treatment typically involves surgical correction of the abnormal muscle band and repair of any associated defects. With proper management, individuals with DCRV can live full and active lives.

Stay informed, advocate for your health, and don't hesitate to seek a second opinion if you have concerns about your cardiac health. Remember, knowledge is power when it comes to managing your well-being.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.7180/kmj.2015.30.1.81, Alternate LINK

Title: Tricuspid And Pulmonary Valve Endocarditis Associated With Double-Chambered Right Ventricle

Subject: General Medicine

Journal: Kosin Medical Journal

Publisher: Kosin University College of Medicine

Authors: Jin Cheol Myeong, Jung Yeon Chin, Jin Ho Choi, Young Min Rah, Jun Hyung Park

Published: 2015-06-30

Everything You Need To Know

What exactly is Double-Chambered Right Ventricle (DCRV), and why is it important to understand?

Double-Chambered Right Ventricle (DCRV) is a rare congenital heart defect where an abnormal muscle band divides the right ventricle into two chambers. This division disrupts normal blood flow, creating a high-pressure area and a low-pressure area within the right ventricle. The significance of understanding DCRV lies in its ability to mimic other heart conditions, like ventricular septal defects (VSD), making accurate diagnosis crucial for appropriate treatment and to prevent severe complications.

What are the biggest challenges in diagnosing Double-Chambered Right Ventricle (DCRV)?

The main challenges in diagnosing Double-Chambered Right Ventricle (DCRV) stem from its rarity and the fact that its symptoms can overlap with other more common heart conditions. For instance, the high-velocity blood flow in the right ventricle outflow tract, characteristic of DCRV, can be misinterpreted as the shunt flow of a perimembranous ventricular septal defect (pmVSD) on echocardiograms. Furthermore, the article highlights a real-life case where initial treatments failed, underscoring the need for thorough investigation and consideration of rare conditions when dealing with persistent heart-related symptoms.

How does endocarditis relate to Double-Chambered Right Ventricle (DCRV)?

Endocarditis is an infection of the heart valves. In the context of Double-Chambered Right Ventricle (DCRV), it can occur, and it is more common in individuals with congenital heart defects. In the described case, both tricuspid and pulmonary valve endocarditis were associated with DCRV. This combination underscores the importance of considering DCRV when diagnosing heart conditions, especially when endocarditis is present, because this helps improve treatment and outcomes.

What should a patient do if they suspect they might have a heart condition?

If a patient experiences persistent heart-related symptoms, such as a heart murmur, cough, hemoptysis, or dyspnea, it is important to consult a cardiologist. The cardiologist can conduct thorough investigations to consider various possibilities. This includes, but is not limited to, Double-Chambered Right Ventricle (DCRV), and other potential heart conditions. Early diagnosis and the right treatments can prevent further complications.

Why is early diagnosis of Double-Chambered Right Ventricle (DCRV) so important?

Early diagnosis of Double-Chambered Right Ventricle (DCRV) is critical because misdiagnosis can lead to ineffective treatments and complications, including right ventricular (RV) failure and increased perioperative mortality. Moreover, DCRV frequently occurs with other heart defects, such as a perimembranous ventricular septal defect (pmVSD), further complicating diagnosis. Timely and accurate identification of DCRV allows for appropriate medical intervention, which can prevent serious health outcomes.