ABSTRACT
Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) is a life-threatening syndrome characterized by disordered immune activation resulting in cytokine storm and inflammation. We present a 27-year-old woman who had a fever and diffuse rash after recently starting lamotrigine. She developed meningismus and polyarthralgia. Laboratory results revealed cytopenia, elevated serum aminotransferases, hypofibrinogenemia and elevated ferritin. Cerebrospinal fluid analysis suggested aseptic meningitis. Antinuclear antibody and rheumatoid factor serologies were positive, complement levels of C3 were decreased, and antihistone antibody was negative. A bone marrow biopsy demonstrated hemophagocytic macrophages and the diagnosis of HLH was made. The patient was empirically started on high-dose intravenous dexamethasone following which both her mental status and laboratory indices markedly improved. Lamotrigine has been shown to induce lupus-like syndrome, aseptic meningitis, and HLH, but not concomitantly. Our patient was recently started on lamotrigine, likely inducing her underlying undiagnosed lupus, in addition to, resulting in aseptic meningitis and a cytokine storm leading to HLH.
ABSTRACT
Atrial fibrillation is a commonly encountered clinical entity with various cardiovascular consequences. Common risk factors include alcohol abuse, hyperthyroidism, mitral stenosis, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and coronary artery disease. Another risk factor, yet under scientific scrutiny, is hiatal hernia. This anatomical abnormality, due to its proximity to the heart and high prevalence in atrial fibrillation patients, has merited scientific investigation to determine if an association truly exists between this gastrointestinal pathology and atrial fibrillation. The case herein is of an 81-year-old hospitalized female with a hiatal hernia who was recorded to have recurrent episodes of atrial fibrillation in the absence of traditional risk factors for arrhythmogenesis.