The Syndrome of Bernheim as a Clinical Entity

Abstract

Can the right ventricle become partially obliterated by a bulging and hypertrophied interventricular septum so as to produce the clinical picture of isolated right heart failure? If so, the syndrome of Bernheim must be accepted as a distinct clinico-pathologic entity. The authors have previously reported 3 cases of right ventricular stenosis which appeared to originate in this manner. More recently, this evidence has been challenged and theoretic objections have been raised as to the possible existence of the syndrome. The present report attempts to answer these contrary assertions and records another instance in which the syndrome was diagnosed clinically and confirmed at autopsy.