ABSTRACT
Venous thromboembolism is a relatively common condition in inhospital patients, but it may also manifest as a lethal disease. However, the diagnosis is not suspected clinically in the vast majority of cases. Most hospitalized patients are at risk of venous thromboembolism, but the risk can be reduced significantly by appropriate prophylaxis. We herein report a case of a huge right atrial thrombus that presented as sudden cardiogenic shock during bipolar endoprosthesis of the hip due to a femoral neck fracture. Although the patient was elderly and immobile for 3 days before hip surgery, she did not receive prophylaxis for venous thromboembolism. More attention should be paid to venous thromboembolism prophylaxis in high-risk patients.
Subject(s)
Aged , Humans , Femoral Neck Fractures , Heart Atria , Hip , Pulmonary Embolism , Shock, Cardiogenic , Thrombosis , Venous ThromboembolismABSTRACT
Ergonovine provocation test is known to be very sensitive for diagnosing variant angina. The patient described in this study initially presented with atypical chest pain and underwent coronary angiography and ergonovine provocation tests, which were negative. The patient was subsequently prescribed a proton pump inhibitor and prokinetics for pain relief, but then presented with acute myocardial infarction and cardiogenic shock due to coronary artery vasospasm 5 years later. This case suggests that ergonovine provocation test generates false negative results, which can lead to unwanted outcomes. Even with a negative ergonovine provocation test, prescription of calcium channel blockers or nitrates should be considered in patients with a clinical history suggestive of variant angina.
Subject(s)
Humans , Angina Pectoris, Variant , Calcium Channel Blockers , Chest Pain , Coronary Angiography , Coronary Vasospasm , Ergonovine , Myocardial Infarction , Nitrates , Prescriptions , Proton Pump Inhibitors , Shock, CardiogenicABSTRACT
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.