ABSTRACT
Although Brucella endocarditis is a rare complication of human brucellosis, it is the main cause of the mortality in this disease. Traditionally, the therapeutic approach to endocarditis caused by Brucella species requires a combination of antimicrobial therapy and valve replacement surgery. In the literature, only a few cases of mitral prosthetic valve endocarditis caused by Brucella species have been successfully treated without reoperation. We present a case of a 42-year-old man with a prosthetic mitral valve infected by Brucella abortus who was cured solely by medical treatment.
Subject(s)
Adult , Humans , Brucella , Brucella abortus , Brucellosis , Endocarditis , Heart Valve Prosthesis , Mitral Valve , Mortality , ReoperationABSTRACT
Myocardial revascularization using the left internal thoracic artery (LITA) has become a standard method for coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery due to its long-term graft patency and lower repeated revascularization rate compared to a saphenous vein graft. The prevalence of significant subclavian artery stenosis was reported to be 0.2-6.8% in patients undergoing CABG surgery using LITA. We present a case of 49-year-old female patient who complained of resting chest pain and left arm pain after CABG surgery using the LITA. NSTEMI was caused by de novo subtotal left subclavian artery stenosis proximal to the LITA. The left subclavian artery was successfully stented, and the patient experienced complete relief of pain.
Subject(s)
Female , Humans , Middle Aged , Arm , Chest Pain , Coronary Artery Bypass , Mammary Arteries , Myocardial Infarction , Myocardial Revascularization , Perfusion , Prevalence , Saphenous Vein , Stents , Subclavian Artery , Subclavian Steal Syndrome , TransplantsABSTRACT
Acute stent thrombosis after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is still problematic because of the subsequent development of myocardial infarction and poor prognosis. The incidence of acute stent thrombosis, occurring within 0-24hours after PCI, is relatively low, but underlying causes and treatment strategy are not well defined. Multi-vessel disease, ST-elevated myocardial infarction (STEMI), and large thrombotic burden are known risk factors of acute stent thrombosis. Thrombus aspiration, balloon angioplasty and glycoprotein IIb/IIIa receptor blocker could be therapeutic options. Recently we experienced two cases of acute stent thrombosis which developed during PCI with the aggravation of chest pain, and acute stent thrombosis were diagnosed immediately and successfully treated. Here we report two cases of acute stent thrombosis during PCI for one patient with STEMI and the other with acute coronary syndrome, which were successfully treated with thrombus aspiration and intravenous infusion of glycoprotein IIb/IIIa receptor blocker.
Subject(s)
Humans , Acute Coronary Syndrome , Angioplasty, Balloon , Chest Pain , Coronary Thrombosis , Glycoproteins , Incidence , Infusions, Intravenous , Myocardial Infarction , Percutaneous Coronary Intervention , Prognosis , Risk Factors , Stents , ThrombosisABSTRACT
Thiamine (vitamin B1) serves as an important cofactor in body metabolism and energy production. It is related with the biosynthesis of neurotransmitters and the production of substances used in defense against oxidant stress. Thus, a lack of thiamine affects several organ systems, in particular the cardiovascular and nervous system. The cardiac insufficiency caused by thiamine deficiency is known as cardiac beriberi, with this condition resulting from unbalanced nutrition and chronic excessive alcohol intake. Given that the disease is now very rare in developed nations such as Korea, it is frequently missed by cardiologists, with potentially fatal consequences. Herein, we present a case study in order to draw attention to cardiac beriberi. We believe that this case will be helpful for young cardiologists, reminding them of the importance of this forgotten but memorable disease.
Subject(s)
Beriberi , Cardiovascular System , Developed Countries , Korea , Nervous System , Thiamine , Thiamine DeficiencyABSTRACT
Prosthetic valve thrombosis (PVT) can be a life-threatening complication that requires immediate treatment. We present a case of 57-year-old woman with tricuspid PVT who was definitely diagnosed by multi-detector-row computed tomography limited with echocardiography. The patient was treated successfully with an alternative approach using low molecular weight heparin bridging therapy followed by intensifying anticoagulation alone.
Subject(s)
Female , Humans , Middle Aged , Echocardiography , Heparin, Low-Molecular-Weight , Thrombosis , Tricuspid ValveABSTRACT
We report on a 21-year-old man with fever, dyspnea, and pleuritic chest pain. An electrocardiography showed ST elevation in multiple lead and thoracic echocardiography revealed moderate pericardial effusion. He was initially diagnosed with acute pericarditis, and treated with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and colchicines with clinical and laboratory improvement. After 1 month of medication, his symptoms recurred. An echocardiography showed constrictive physiology and the patient was treated with steroid on the top of current medication. The patient had been well for 7 months until dyspnea and edema developed, when an echocardiography showed marked increased pericardial thickness and constriction. Pericardial biopsy was performed and primary malignant pericardial mesothelioma was diagnosed. Malignancy should be considered in the differential diagnosis of recurrent pericarditis.
Subject(s)
Humans , Young Adult , Biopsy , Chest Pain , Constriction , Diagnosis, Differential , Dyspnea , Echocardiography , Edema , Electrocardiography , Fever , Mesothelioma , Pericardial Effusion , Pericarditis , Pericarditis, ConstrictiveABSTRACT
We report on a 21-year-old man with fever, dyspnea, and pleuritic chest pain. An electrocardiography showed ST elevation in multiple lead and thoracic echocardiography revealed moderate pericardial effusion. He was initially diagnosed with acute pericarditis, and treated with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and colchicines with clinical and laboratory improvement. After 1 month of medication, his symptoms recurred. An echocardiography showed constrictive physiology and the patient was treated with steroid on the top of current medication. The patient had been well for 7 months until dyspnea and edema developed, when an echocardiography showed marked increased pericardial thickness and constriction. Pericardial biopsy was performed and primary malignant pericardial mesothelioma was diagnosed. Malignancy should be considered in the differential diagnosis of recurrent pericarditis.
Subject(s)
Humans , Young Adult , Biopsy , Chest Pain , Constriction , Diagnosis, Differential , Dyspnea , Echocardiography , Edema , Electrocardiography , Fever , Mesothelioma , Pericardial Effusion , Pericarditis , Pericarditis, ConstrictiveABSTRACT
Takayasu's arteritis is a chronic inflammatory disorder that mainly involves medium to large sized arteries. Although pulmonary artery involvement is reported with a prevalence of about 10% to 50%, its clinical significance is underestimated. We report here one case of Takayasu's arteritis complicated by severe pulmonary hypertension due to right main pulmonary artery total occlusion.