Peripartum cardiomyopathy: a review.

Peripartum cardiomyopathy is a form of idiopathic systolic heart failure which occurs during the end of pregnancy or the early post-partum in the absence of an identifiable etiology. The exact pathogenesis remains unknown, and the incidence is higher in African ancestry, multiparous and hypertensive women, or older maternal age. Delay in diagnosis is common, mainly because symptoms of heart failure mimic those of normal pregnancy. Echocardiography showing decreased myocardial function is at the center of the diagnosis. Management relies on the general guidelines of management of other forms of non-ischemic cardiomyopathy; however, special attention should be paid when choosing medications to ensure fetal safety. Outcomes can be variable and can range from complete recovery to persistent heart failure requiring transplant or even death. High rates of relapse with subsequent pregnancies can occur, especially with incomplete myocardial recovery. Additional research about the etiology, experimental drugs, prognosis, and duration of treatment after recovery are needed.

Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase Polymorphism and Premature Coronary Artery Disease.

Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) catalyzes the conversion of 5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate to 5-methyltetrahydrofolate, a co-substrate for homocysteine re-methylation to methionine. Its deficiency leads to an increased serum level of homocysteine, which is well-known to be associated with premature coronary artery disease (CAD). Our case demonstrates the association of MTHFR polymorphism with premature CAD and myocardial infarction (MI) despite normal homocysteine levels. Screening for MTHFR polymorphisms in addition to homocysteine levels may be considered for patients presenting with premature CAD and a normal lipid profile. Aggressive risk reduction with lifestyle modifications and guideline-driven medical therapy supplementation might be necessary for secondary cardiovascular disease prevention until more specific therapeutic options are available for this subgroup of patients.

Secondary Immune Thrombocytopenic Purpura in Renal Cell Cancer: A Paraneoplastic Syndrome.

Secondary immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) as a paraneoplastic syndrome has been reported in literature. It is commonly associated with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and hodgkins lymphoma. Its association with solid malignancies, especially renal cell cancer is rare, with only a few documented case reports. Treatment usually consisted of targeting the underlying malignancy or utilization of steroid and intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) to improve thrombocytopenia. Here, we describe a case of a 75-year-old man with renal cell cancer (RCC), who presented with secondary thrombocytopenia treated with steroid and IVIG. It is important to keep RCC in differential diagnosis for causes for secondary ITP as this impacts treatment.

Prosthetic Tricuspid Valve Thrombosis.

Prosthetic valve thrombosis, a serious complication of prosthetic valve replacement, can be lethal without proper treatment. Right-sided valve thrombosis is rare but several therapeutic modalities can be considered: anticoagulation therapy, fibrinolysis, or surgery. Here, we report a case of significant tricuspid valve thrombosis which failed fibrinolytic therapy requiring repeat sternotomy with repeat tricuspid valve replacement with a porcine bioprosthesis.

A Case of Brugada Pattern Associated with Adrenal Insufficiency.

Brugada syndrome (BrS) is an inherited channelopathy disease, caused by genetic changes in transmembrane ion channels. It has an increased risk of sudden cardiac death (SCD) in the absence of a structural heart disease. We report a case in which the presenting electrocardiogram (EKG) exhibited a type 1 Brugada-like pattern during an adrenal crisis with transformation into a type 2 Brugada-like pattern as the crisis improved.

Hypertensive Crisis in Cardiac Tamponade.

Cardiac tamponade is a potentially life-threatening disorder believed to be commonly associated with hypotension and even shock. However, many patients with subacute tamponade are indeed hypertensive at initial presentation. We present a case of a 76-year-old female with hypertensive crisis in the settings of cardiac tamponade whose blood pressure normalized after pericardiocentesis.

Bilateral Earlobe Crease as a Marker of Premature Coronary Artery Disease.

Cardiovascular diseases, including heart disease and stroke, are the world's largest killers. More than 800,000 people die from cardiovascular disease each year in the United States (US). Heart disease is estimated to cost 200 billion US Dollars (USD) annually. Early identification of an inexpensive marker which allows for early intervention is the need of the hour. We present a case describing one such marker which can be easily appreciated on physical examination. Several studies have shown, not only the association between the presence of the diagonal earlobe crease (DELC) and coronary artery disease (CAD) but also a correlation with the extent and severity of CAD, independent of cardiovascular risk factors. Our patient who had no known CAD or risk factors presented with an acute coronary syndrome (ACS). On exam, he was noted to have bilateral DELC. Over the course of his workup, he was noted to have severe triple vessel disease and eventually underwent surgical revascularization. We seek to increase awareness of this valuable physical sign which has far-reaching consequences in the prognostication and risk stratification of patients.

Limitations of Coronary Computed Tomography Angiography in Predicting Acute Coronary Syndrome in a Low to Intermediate-risk Patient with Chest Pain.

The optimal management of patients with chest pain relies on the prognostic information provided by noninvasive cardiovascular testing. Coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) is an increasingly utilized, highly accurate noninvasive test for diagnosing coronary artery disease. We illustrate an exceptional limitation of the prognostic information provided by CCTA. A 46-year-old female presented with chest pain suggestive of angina. Noninvasive testing for ischemia was negative, with CCTA showing mild stenosis of the proximal left anterior descending (LAD) artery. An electrocardiogram after two weeks demonstrated ST elevation in leads V1-V2 and aVR, with ST depression in the lateral leads. Cardiac catheterization revealed a significant proximal LAD lesion requiring percutaneous coronary intervention. An anatomic assessment of coronary arteries should be considered in cases of strong clinical suspicion for cardiac ischemia and initial nondiagnostic findings. Further studies are needed to improve the accuracy and the negative predictive value of CCTA in intermediate-risk individuals.

Unresponsive Intractable Chronic Headache With Sitagliptin.

Sitagliptin is an anti-diabetic medication within the dipeptidyl peptidase 4 (DPP4) inhibitor class used as a single agent or in combination therapy. It is a well-studied and well-tolerated medication with commonly reported adverse events of upper respiratory tract infections, nasopharyngitis, headache, and gastrointestinal (GI) upset. Post-marketing reports have also identified associations with acute pancreatitis and joint pain. Here, we report a case of type II diabetes with chronic headache which resolved rapidly after discontinuation of sitagliptin. Our case demonstrates the need for continuous monitoring and post-marketing surveillance for drugs with tolerable side effect profile. Also, increasing patient and physician awareness of long-term side effects of these commonly used medications is essential for adequate patient safety and quality care.

Kikuchi-Fujimoto Disease in a Young African American Male.

Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease (KFD), also known as histiocytic necrotizing lymphadenitis, is an extremely rare, self-limiting disorder which typically presents with fever and painful, unilateral cervical lymphadenopathy in previously healthy individuals. Here, we describe a case of KFD which initially presented with fever of unknown origin. Due to its non-specific symptoms and low incidence, KFD poses a diagnostic conundrum for clinicians. Awareness of this disease entity is the key for prompt diagnosis and treatment.

Lyme Meningoencephalitis Masquerading as Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus.

Lyme disease is a tick-borne illness caused primarily by the spirochete Borrelia burgdorferi. The disease is most prevalent in forested areas endemic for Ixodes tick, which transmits the spirochete. Here, we describe a case of Lyme meningoencephalitis masquerading as normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH) which initially presented with urinary incontinence, gait instability, and neurological decline. Due to its non-specific symptoms and low incidence, Lyme meningoencephalitis causing NPH like syndrome poses a diagnostic conundrum for clinicians. Awareness of this disease entity is key for prompt diagnosis and treatment.

Case Report: A rare case of prosthetic valve infective endocarditis caused by Aerococcus urinae.

Infective endocarditis (IE) is a serious and life-threatening cardiac condition, most commonly caused by staphylococci, Streptococcus viridans, and enterococci. However, in special settings, IE can be caused by rare organisms. Here we present a case of IE caused by Aerococcus urinae in a 75-year-old man with a bioprosthetic aortic valve.  Aerococcusurinae is a gram-positive, catalase-negative microorganism and is usually an isolate of complicated urinary tract infections in the elderly male population.  . Improvements in diagnostic testing including use of matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization- a time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) have played an important role in isolating Aerococcus.

New perspective in heart failure management: could myosin activators be the answer?

Heart failure is a worldwide leading cause of hospital admissions. There is a critical need for new methods of management in acute heart failure. The current drug panel available in the treatment of hemodinamically unstable patients is not only limited, but it is also associated with deleterious side effects. Discoveries in the heart failure field seemed to lack an adequate answer and a change in paradigm may be necessary. The cardiac myosin activator omecamtiv mecarbil is a new therapeutic approach that improves the myocardial contractility through an innovative mechanism, avoiding the harmful effects of currently used inotropic agents. Several studies provided us with promising results, but further scientific proofs are needed.