Acute Common Iliac Artery Occlusion Secondary to Blunt Abdominal Trauma From Motor Vehicle Accident.

Blunt abdominal trauma infrequently leads to vascular injuries, and common iliac artery (CIA) injuries after motor vehicle accidents due to seat belt injury are very rare. Its posterior anatomic location and the pelvic bones usually protect the CIA. We describe a case of a young female presenting with acute blunt trauma to the abdomen after being a restrained driver in a motor vehicle accident and was found to have acute left CIA occlusion. The purpose of this case is to stress the importance of maintaining a high index of suspicion for vascular injuries in blunt abdominal trauma; we recommend early imaging diagnosis and timely treatment to mitigate its complications.

Portal Vein Thrombosis Secondary to COVID-19: A Rare Complication.

The novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has created a lasting impact in the world. It presents with various clinical manifestations, ranging from an asymptomatic state to respiratory system abnormalities, multi-organ involvement, thrombosis, and death. This case describes a 46-year-old female presenting with intractable abdominal pain leading to portal vein thrombosis (PVT), a diagnosis attributed to an unresolved COVID-19 infection.

Lack of Association Between Anemia and Intrinsic Left Ventricular Diastolic Function or Cardiac Mechanics in Heart Failure With Preserved Ejection Fraction.

Anemia is associated with a poor prognosis in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF), but the reasons underlying this association are unclear. Previous studies have reported an association between anemia and diastolic dysfunction. However, these studies used volume- and flow-dependent indexes of diastolic dysfunction. We hypothesized that in HFpEF, anemia is more closely associated with volume status and not markers of intrinsic myocardial dysfunction. We prospectively studied 419 outpatients in a systematic HFpEF program, all of whom underwent hemoglobin measurement and comprehensive echocardiography. Longitudinal, radial, and circumferential strain were also measured in 311 patients. We defined anemia as hemoglobin <12g/dL in women and <13g/dL in men. Linear and Cox regression analyses were used to determine the association between anemia and echocardiographic/strain variables and adverse outcomes, respectively. Over half (224/419 [53%]) of the HFpEF patients had anemia. Anemia was associated with volume (preload)-dependent markers of diastolic dysfunction including echocardiographic E/A (p = 0.004) and E/e' ratio (p = 0.014) and elevated right heart pressures such as right atrial pressure (p = 0.002) and pulmonary artery systolic pressure (p<0.001). Anemia was not associated with markers of intrinsic myocardial dysfunction such as lateral e' (p = 0.16) and septal e' (p = 0.65) velocities or echocardiographic strain parameters (p > 0.05 for all comparisons). Anemia was associated with the combined outcome of cardiovascular hospitalization or death (hazard ratio = 1.50 [95% confidence interval 1.20, 1.88]; p < 0.001). In conclusion, anemia in HFpEF is associated with markers of volume status and not intrinsic markers of myocardial dysfunction.

Comparison of outcome after ACL reconstruction in terms of subjective assessment of symptoms and function and clinical assessment of ligament stability.

BACKGROUND: The knee joint is frequently involved in sports and other injuries with Anterior cruciate ligament being a very common ligament to be injured. The Lachman test, pivot-shift test, and instrumented knee laxity examination are frequently used and reported for evaluation of ACL reconstruction. The aim of this study is to examine and evaluate the relationships between the clinical assessment of ligament stability and subjective assessment of symptoms and function after ACL reconstruction. METHODS: A total of 50 young and middle aged patients with unilateral knee ACL injury treated with ACL reconstruction using hamstring graft were evaluated for a minimum period of 1 year. Clinical assessment of ligament stability was done through Lachman and pivot-shift examination. Subjective variables of symptoms at follow-up included pain, swelling, instability and locking of knee. Subjective function at follow up included satisfaction with outcome, squatting, ascending or descending stairs, jumping, twisting and Lysholm score. RESULTS: Lachman Examination at follow-up had no significant (P > .05) relationship with pain, swelling, instability, locking, squatting, ascending or descending stairs, jumping, twisting, satisfaction with outcome and Lysholm score. Pivot-shift examination at follow-up had significant associations with patient satisfaction (P = .04), instability of knee (P = .02), difficulty during twisting (P = .02) and Lysholm score (P = .01). CONCLUSION: Pivot-shift examination is a better measure than Lachman examination or instrumented knee laxity as far as patients' functional outcome and overall satisfaction is concerned.

Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging has limited additional yield in cryptogenic stroke evaluation after transesophageal echocardiography.

Background The use of cardiac magnetic resonance imaging is increasing, but its role in the diagnostic work-up following ischemic stroke has received limited study. We aimed to explore the added yield of cardiac magnetic resonance imaging to identify cardio-aortic sources not detected by transesophageal echocardiography among patients with cryptogenic stroke. Methods A retrospective single-center cohort study was performed from 01 January 2009 to 01 March 2013. Consecutive patients who had both a stroke protocol cardiac magnetic resonance imaging and a transesophageal echocardiography preformed during a single hospitalization were included. All cardiac magnetic resonance imaging studies underwent independent, blinded review by two investigators. We applied the causative classification system for ischemic stroke to all patients, first blinded to cardiac magnetic resonance imaging results; we then reapplied the causative classification system using cardiac magnetic resonance imaging. Standard statistical tests to evaluate stroke subtype reclassification rates were used. Results Ninety-three patients were included in the final analysis; 68.8% were classified as cryptogenic stroke after initial diagnostic evaluation. Among patients with cryptogenic stroke, five (7.8%) were reclassified due to cardiac magnetic resonance imaging findings: one was reclassified as "cardio-aortic embolism evident" due to the presence of a patent foramen ovale and focal cardiac infarct and four were reclassified as "cardio-aortic embolism possible" due to mitral valve thickening (n = 1) or hypertensive cardiomyopathy (n = 3). Overall, findings on cardiac magnetic resonance imaging reduced the percentage of patients with cryptogenic stroke by slightly more than 1%. Conclusion Our stroke subtype reclassification rate after the addition of cardiac magnetic resonance imaging results to a diagnostic work-up which includes transesophageal echocardiography was very low. Prospective studies evaluating the role of cardiac magnetic resonance imaging and transesophageal echocardiography among patients with cryptogenic stroke should be considered.

Pseudoradial Nerve Palsy Caused by Acute Ischemic Stroke.

Pseudoperipheral palsy has been used to characterize isolated monoparesis secondary to stroke. Isolated hand nerve palsy is a rare presentation for acute cerebral stroke. Our patient presented with clinical features of typical peripheral radial nerve palsy and a normal computed tomography scan of the head, which, without a detailed history and neurological examination, could have been easily misdiagnosed as a peripheral nerve lesion deferring further investigation for a stroke. We stress the importance of including cerebral infarction as a critical differential diagnosis in patients presenting with sensory-motor deficit in an isolated peripheral nerve pattern. A good history and physical exam can differentiate stroke from peripheral neuropathy as the cause of radial nerve palsy.

Large basilar perforator pseudoaneurysm: A case report.

Basilar perforator aneurysms are rare and a communication between a basilar perforator and a separate pseudoaneurysm cavity is extremely rare. We describe a case presenting with high grade subarachnoid hemorrhage which on further investigation delineated a 2-3 mm dissecting basilar perforator aneurysm communicating superiorly into a contained 6 mm pseudoaneurysm cavity. This case illustrates an unusual neurovascular pathology with low potential for successful endovascular treatment such as coil embolization or intracranial flow diverter stenting. Conservative medical management remains the main stay of treatment for such poor surgical candidates.

Dengue Fever Presenting Atypically with Viral Conjunctivitis and Subacute Thyroiditis.

The majority of dengue viral infections are asymptomatic, though symptoms may range from self-limiting febrile illness to life threatening hemorrhagic manifestations. As the burden of disease is dramatically rising in recent years, more patients with atypical presentations and rare complications are increasingly reported. Dengue virus may rarely involve different organ systems including CNS, liver, and heart. However, involvement of eye and thyroid is extremely rare. We present a case of 32-year old patient who presented with conjunctivitis and subacute thyroiditis and was found to have dengue viral infection as the cause of these conditions.

Immune Thrombocytopenia (ITP) Secondary to Subclinical Hashimoto's Thyroiditis: Role of Levothyroxine in Improving the Clinical Outcome of ITP.

Immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) is the most common cause of isolated thrombocytopenia in healthy people. ITP may rarely coexist with autoimmune thyroid disorders, which may indicate more complex defect in immune system. Primary ITP usually responds well to steroids and intravenous immunoglobulins. However, ITP may be difficult to treat when associated with thyroid autoimmune disorders. In such cases, treating the underlying thyroid disorder may significantly improve platelet count and can either cause remission of disease or improve response to standard ITP therapy. We report a case of 47-year-old male who was diagnosed with ITP and was also found to have subclinical Hashimoto's thyroiditis. Treatment of subclinical hypothyroidism with levothyroxine in our patient significantly improved the platelets, thus successfully bringing the disease in remission.

Prognostic Utility and Clinical Significance of Cardiac Mechanics in Heart Failure With Preserved Ejection Fraction: Importance of Left Atrial Strain.

BACKGROUND: Left atrial (LA) enlargement is associated with adverse events in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). However, the role of LA mechanics (ie, LA strain measures) in HFpEF has not been well studied. We hypothesized that in HFpEF, reduced (worse) LA strain is a key pathophysiologic abnormality and is a stronger correlate of adverse events than left ventricular or right ventricular longitudinal strain. METHODS AND RESULTS: We evaluated baseline LA function in 308 patients with HFpEF who were followed up longitudinally for adverse outcomes. All patients underwent speckle-tracking echocardiography for measurement of left ventricular longitudinal strain, right ventricular free wall strain, and LA booster, conduit, and reservoir strains. The clinical and prognostic significance of left ventricular, right ventricular, and LA strain measures was assessed by regression analyses. The mean age was 65±13 years, 64% were women, 26% had atrial fibrillation, and LA enlargement was present in the majority of patients (67%). Decreased LA reservoir strain was associated with increased pulmonary vascular resistance (P<0.0001) and decreased peak oxygen consumption (P=0.0001). Of the left ventricular, right ventricular, and LA strain measures, LA reservoir strain was the strongest correlate of adverse events and was independently associated with the composite outcome of cardiovascular hospitalization or death (adjusted hazard ratio per 1-SD decrease in LA strain, 1.54; 95% CI, 1.15-2.07; P=0.006). CONCLUSIONS: Abnormal indices of LA mechanics (particularly LA reservoir strain) are powerful clinical and prognostic factors in HFpEF. Unloading the LA and augmentation of LA function may be important future therapeutic targets in HFpEF. REGISTRATION INFORMATION: URL: http://www.clinicaltrials.gov. Unique identifier: NCT01030991.

Staphylococcus aureus Endocarditis with Multivalvular Involvement Secondary to an Atrial Septal Defect.

Infective endocarditis is usually diagnosed using modified Duke's criteria. Our patient had a subacute presentation and a low suspicion for endocarditis during admission, unfortunately leading to her death. Despite advances in diagnostic and therapeutic measures including antibiotic therapy and surgical techniques, morbidity and mortality with staphylococcal infective endocarditis remain high. Hence, we stress the significance of having a low threshold for TEE in patients with multisystem involvement due to Staphylococcus aureus that have evidence of persistent infection despite antibiotic treatment, even if the suspicion for endocarditis is low based on Duke's criteria. TEE substantially improves the sensitivity of diagnosis but may not be readily available in many medical centers. Presence of an ASD has been noted to have increased the risk of left sided endocarditis even with conditions that predispose to right sided endocarditis, particularly in patients with hemodialysis and diabetes as morbid risk factors.

Association of chronic kidney disease with abnormal cardiac mechanics and adverse outcomes in patients with heart failure and preserved ejection fraction.

AIMS: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is associated with worse outcomes in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). Whether this association is due the effect of CKD on intrinsic abnormalities in cardiac function is unknown. We hypothesized that CKD is independently associated with worse cardiac mechanics in HFpEF. METHODS AND RESULTS: We prospectively studied 299 patients enrolled in the Northwestern University HFpEF Program. Using the creatinine-based CKD-Epi equation to calculate estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), study participants were analysed by CKD status (using eGFR <60 mL/min/1.73 m(2) to denote CKD). Indices of cardiac mechanics (longitudinal strain parameters) were measured using speckle-tracking echocardiography. Using multivariable-adjusted linear and Cox regression analyses, we determined the association between CKD and echocardiographic parameters and clinical outcomes (cardiovascular hospitalization or death). Of 299 study participants, 48% had CKD. CKD (dichotomous variable) and reduced eGFR (continuous variable) were both associated with worse cardiac mechanics indices including left atrial (LA) reservoir strain, LV longitudinal strain, and right ventricular free wall strain even after adjusting for potential confounders, including co-morbidities, EF, and volume status. For example, for each 1-SD decrease in eGFR, LA reservoir strain was 3.52% units lower (P < 0.0001) after multivariable adjustment. Reduced eGFR was also associated with worse outcomes [adjusted hazard ratio (HR) 1.28, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.01-1.61 per 1-SD decrease in eGFR; P = 0.039]. The association was attenuated after adjustment for indices of cardiac mechanics (P = 0.064). CONCLUSION: In HFpEF, CKD is independently associated with worse cardiac mechanics, which may explain why HFpEF patients with CKD have worse outcomes. TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT01030991.

Extranodal Rosai-Dorfman Disease Involving the Left Atrium: Cardiac MRI, CT, and PET Scan Findings.

Rosai-Dorfman disease (RDD) is a rare entity that usually involves the lymph nodes but extranodal involvements have been seen in numerous cases, although RDD with cardiovascular involvement is extremely rare. We describe a case of a young male who presented with intermittent palpitations and was found to have a left atrium mass. Our case not only emphasizes the rarity of the above lesion but also highlights the importance of modern-day imaging like computed tomography, Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging (CMRI), and PET scan in characterizing such nonspecific lesions and directing appropriate line of treatment. RDD should be considered as one of the differentials even for isolated cardiac lesions.

Phencyclidine Induced Oculogyric Crisis Responding Well to Conventional Treatment.

Background. Oculogyric crisis is a form of acute dystonic reaction characterized by involuntary upward deviation of eye ball. Its causes are broad with antipsychotics and antiemetics as the most common causes. Case Presentation. A 25-year-old man with the past medical history of marijuana use presented to ED with involuntary upward deviation of eye 1 day after using phencyclidine (PCP) for the first time. He did not have any other symptoms and was hemodynamically stable. All laboratory investigations were normal except urine drug screen which was positive for PCP. Patient was treated with IV diphenhydramine which improved his symptoms. Conclusion. Illicit drug abuse is a growing problem in our society with increasingly more patients presenting to ED with its complications. The differential diagnosis of acute dystonic reactions should be extended to include illicit drugs as the potential cause of reversible acute dystonias especially in high risk patients.

Raghib Syndrome Presenting as a Cryptogenic Stroke: Role of Cardiac MRI in Accurate Diagnosis.

Raghib Syndrome is a rare developmental complex, which consists of persistence of the left superior vena cava (PLSVC) along with coronary sinus ostial atresia and atrial septal defect. This Raghib complex anomaly has also been associated with other congenital malformations including ventricular septal defects, enlargement of the tricuspid annulus, and pulmonary stenosis. Our case demonstrates an isolated PLSVC draining into the left atrium along with coronary sinus atresia in a young patient presenting with cryptogenic stroke without the atrial septal defect. Majority of the cases reported in the literature were found to have the lesion during the postmortem evaluation or were characterized at angiography and/or echocardiography. We stress the importance of modern day imaging like the computed tomography (CT) angiography and cardiac MRI in diagnosis and surgical management of such rare lesions leading to cryptogenic strokes.

Myocarditis leading to severe dilated cardiomyopathy in a patient with dengue Fever.

Background. Majority of dengue fever cases follow a benign self-limiting course but recently rare presentations and complications are increasingly seen due to rising burden of disease. Cardiac involvement in dengue fever with fatal outcome is a very rare complication. We report a case of 44-year-old patient who presented with symptoms of severe acute congestive heart secondary to myocarditis induced cardiomyopathy caused by dengue virus infection. Case Presentation. A 44-year-old man presented to ER with the complaints of high fever, fatigue, and shortness of breath. Patient was lethargic and blood pressure was low when he was brought to the ER. CXR showed cardiomegaly with pulmonary congestion and echocardiography revealed dilated left ventricle and ejection fraction of 10%. Patient condition worsened and he got admitted to the ICU because of acute hypoxic respiratory failure. Despite aggressive measures, patient died on day 5. Conclusion. Dilated cardiomyopathy is a rare complication of dengue myocarditis. Early recognition of acute DCM caused by dengue myocarditis is imperative in the management of dengue fever as early detection and management of cardiac failure can improve the survival of patient.

EUGLYCEMIC DIABETIC KETOACIDOSIS AND SEVERE ACUTE KIDNEY INJURY SECONDARY TO OFF LABEL USE OF SODIUM GLUCOSE COTRANSPORTER-2 INHIBITOR IN A TYPE-1 DIABETIC PATIENT.

Sodium glucose Cotransporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitors are a new class of drug approved for the treatment of type-2 diabetes; however they are also increasingly used off label in type-1 diabetic patients. SGLT2 Inhibitors work by increasing glucose excretion in urine. Euglycemic diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is potentially life threatening side effect as patients have normal glucose and minimal symptoms thus delaying diagnosis and treatment. Our case report highlights the risk of using SGLT2 inhibitors in type-1 diabetes and also supports the need for long term studies to define clear efficacy and complications of SGLT 2 inhibitors in both type-1 and type 2 diabetes mellitis.

High-grade primary myxoid lung sarcoma presenting as recurrent hemorrhagic pleural effusions in a young woman.

Primary lung sarcomas are rare but aggressive tumors accounting for less than 0.5% of all lung tumors. The diagnosis of primary lung sarcoma should only be considered after exclusion of other sites. A 32-year-old female presented with recurrent hemorrhagic pleural effusions, shortness of breath and persistent cough. Pleural effusion was drained twice, and each time its analysis was normal. Patient developed atelectasis of left lung with hemothorax for which she underwent video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery. A large mass was found compressing the entire lower lobe of left lung with extension into mediastinum, the biopsy of which showed myxoid sarcoma. The tumor was inoperable and options of chemotherapy or radiotherapy were discussed with the patient. Primary lung sarcoma can rarely present with recurrent hemorrhagic pleural effusion. A high degree of suspicion is required for early diagnosis as large hemothorax on computed tomography or chest X-ray may obscure lung mass and make its diagnosis difficult.