A mimicker of constriction: a case report of a rare case of cardiac angiosarcoma.

Background: Cardiac angiosarcoma is an exceptionally rare primary malignant tumour with an aggressive course and typically poor prognosis. Diagnosis is difficult, and patients often present with metastatic disease. We report the rare case of a patient with cardiac angiosarcoma who presents with constrictive physiology due to tumour encasement. Case summary: A 65-year-old female with a past medical history of Hodgkin's lymphoma and limited scleroderma presented with progressive dyspnoea on exertion. Multimodality imaging and haemodynamics with echocardiography, cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and cardiac catheterization showed findings of constrictive physiology. Cardiac MRI showed areas of pericardial enhancement, so she was initially started on colchicine, prednisone, and mycophenolate mofetil to treat pericardial inflammation. However, her symptoms progressed, and she underwent pericardiectomy with cardiac surgery. Pericardium was noted to be thickened and a mass-like substance was densely adherent and potentially invading the heart itself and could not be dissected free. Surgical pathology showed features consistent with epithelioid angiosarcoma. Patient had rapid progression of her disease and was started on chemotherapy. Her course, however, was complicated by acute gastrointestinal bleeding, atrial fibrillation with rapid rates, and persistent volume overload. She elected for comfort measures and passed away shortly after her diagnosis. Discussion: Our case shows an extremely rare diagnosis, cardiac angiosarcoma, presenting with typical findings of constrictive physiology. The case shows the typical features of constrictive physiology using multimodality imaging and haemodynamics and emphasizes the need to always think broadly in creating a differential diagnosis for constriction to ensure that rare diseases are considered.

Sex-Based Differences in 30-Day Readmissions After Cardiac Arrest: Analysis of the Nationwide Readmissions Database.

Background There are limited data on the sex-based differences in the outcome of readmission after cardiac arrest. Methods and Results Using the Nationwide Readmissions Database, we analyzed patients hospitalized with cardiac arrest between 2010 and 2015. Based on International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-9-CM) codes, we identified comorbidities, therapeutic interventions, and outcomes. Multivariable logistic regression was performed to assess the independent association between sex and outcomes. Of 835 894 patients, 44.4% (n=371 455) were women, of whom 80.7% presented with pulseless electrical activity (PEA)/asystole. Women primarily presented with PEA/asystole (80.7% versus 72.4%) and had a greater comorbidity burden than men, as assessed using the Elixhauser Comorbidity Score. Thirty-day readmission rates were higher in women than men in both PEA/asystole (20.8% versus 19.6%) and ventricular tachycardia/ventricular fibrillation arrests (19.4% versus 17.1%). Among ventricular tachycardia/ventricular fibrillation arrest survivors, women were more likely than men to be readmitted because of noncardiac causes, predominantly infectious, respiratory, and gastrointestinal illnesses. Among PEA/asystole survivors, women were at higher risk for all-cause (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 1.07; [95% CI, 1.03-1.11]), cardiac-cause (aOR, 1.15; [95% CI, 1.06-1.25]), and noncardiac-cause (aOR, 1.13; [95% CI, 1.04-1.22]) readmission. During the index hospitalization, women were less likely than men to receive therapeutic procedures, including coronary angiography and targeted therapeutic management. While the crude case fatality rate was higher in women, in both ventricular tachycardia/ventricular fibrillation (51.8% versus 47.4%) and PEA/asystole (69.3% versus 68.5%) arrests, sex was not independently associated with increased crude case fatality after adjusting for differences in baseline characteristics. Conclusions Women are at increased risk of readmission following cardiac arrest, independent of comorbidities and therapeutic interventions.

Sex-Based Differences in Revascularization and 30-Day Readmission After ST-Segment-Elevation Myocardial Infarction in the United States.

BACKGROUND: Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death for women in the United States. Revascularization is considered the standard of care for treatment of ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) and is known to reduce readmission. However there is a paucity of data that examines the sex-dependent impact of revascularization on readmission. We aimed to investigate sex differences in revascularization rates, 30-day readmission rates, and primary cause of readmissions following STEMIs. METHODS: STEMI hospitalizations were selected in the Nationwide Readmissions Database from 2010 to 2014. Revascularization rates, 30-day readmission rates, and primary cause of readmission were examined. Interaction between sex and revascularization was assessed. Multivariable regression analysis was performed to identify predictors of 30-day readmission and revascularization for both sexes. RESULTS: 219,944 women and 489,605 men were admitted with STEMIs. Women were more likely to be older, and have more comorbidities. Women were less likely to undergo revascularization by percutaneous coronary intervention (adjusted odds ratio [OR]: 0.68; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.66-0.70) or coronary artery bypass graft surgery (adjusted OR 0.40; CI 0.39-0.44). Women had higher 30-day readmission rates (15.7% vs. 10.8%, p < 0.001; OR 1.20, CI 1.17-1.23), and revascularization in women was not associated with a decreased likelihood of 30-day readmission. The primary cardiac cause of readmission in women was heart failure. CONCLUSION: Compared to men, women with STEMIs had lower rates of revascularization and higher rates of 30-day readmission. When revascularized, women were still more likely to be readmitted as compared to non-revascularized women.

In-stent thrombosis following DDAVP administration: case report and review of the literature.

A 67-year-old man with a drug-eluting stent in his proximal left anterior descending artery was admitted to the hospital after sustaining a traumatic injury to the skull. Due to persistent bleeding from a subgaleal hematoma, intravenous 1-desamino-8-D-arginine vasopressin (DDAVP) was administered. Five hours later, the patient complained of crushing chest pain. A 12-lead electrocardiogram demonstrated 2 mm ST-segment elevations in the precordial leads with reciprocal depressions in the inferior leads. Emergency cardiac catheterization demonstrated total occlusion of the proximal left anterior descending stent with TIMI 0 flow. Another drug-eluting stent was placed inside the original stent with restoration of TIMI 3 flow. During the catheterization, the patient became progressively hypoxic and hypotensive requiring intubation, dopamine drip, and placement of an intra-aortic balloon pump. The patient's hospitalization was complicated by prolonged shock requiring inotropes and vasopressors. This is the first reported case of an ST-elevation myocardial infarction due to in-stent thrombosis occurring after DDAVP administration. Though DDAVP is well tolerated and efficacious in treating several types of coagulopathies, this case illustrates its potential pro-thrombotic effects. Therefore, DDAVP should be used with caution in patients with known coronary artery disease and coronary stents.