Left Atrial Enlargement as a Predictor of Atrial Fibrillation in Rheumatic Mitral Valve Disease: An Echocardiography-based Retrospective Cross-sectional Study.

BACKGROUND: Rheumatic heart disease is a major cause of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in developing nations and is a leading cause of hospital admission due to cardiac problems in our country. This study will evaluate the association between left atrial size and the occurrence of atrial fibrillation and describe the clinical characteristics along with complications related to Rheumatic Mitral valve disease. METHODS: A retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted at a tertiary care center from January 2018 to December 2019. Reports of 207 patients admitted to medical and/or surgical wards with echocardiographic diagnosis of rheumatic mitral valve disease with or without atrial fibrillation were reviewed. Data were collected, entered, and analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Science version 25.0. RESULTS: Among 207 patients, atrial fibrillation was present in 90 (43.5%) patients. Atrial fibrillation was higher in patients with mixed mitral valvular lesions compared to isolated mitral stenosis or mitral regurgitation. Univariate and multivariate analysis revealed left atrial size [aOR=1.067, 95% CI: 1.023 - 1.113, P= 0.002] and age [aOR = 1.073, 95% CI: 1.042 - 1.105, P<0.001] as an independent predictor of atrial fibrillation. CONCLUSIONS: Larger left atrium was an independent predictor of atrial fibrillation. Besides this, atrial fibrillation was associated with increasing age, mixed mitral valvular lesion, and moderately reduced left ventricular ejection fraction, but not associated with gender and mitral stenosis severity. Left atrial clot was significantly higher in patients with atrial fibrillation than in sinus rhythm.

Vasculitis, an Early Unusual Presentation of Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Case Report.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory disease, with rheumatoid vasculitis (RV) being its most threatening complication. We report a case of a 70-year-old female presenting with gangrene of the tips of fingers and toes early in the course of RA, which is a rare manifestation. The skin is the most commonly affected organ in RV, followed by the peripheral nerves. However, almost every organ system can get implicated. The management of RV is mostly empirical, with high-dose glucocorticoids and cyclophosphamide. Early diagnosis and optimum management are essential in preventing severe complications of the disease.

A decisive lifesaving tool in submassive pulmonary embolism: Bedside echocardiography.

Key Clinical Message: Immediate thrombolysis in submassive pulmonary embolism on the basis of bedside echocardiography can be a lifesaving decision in areas where computed tomography (CT) pulmonary angiogram is not readily available. Abstract: Bedside echocardiography can be a rapid diagnostic and decision-making tool for immediate thrombolysis in submassive pulmonary embolism with evidence of progressively failing ventricles. We report a case of submassive pulmonary embolism in a 26-year-old male under testosterone replacement therapy, who was successfully thrombolyzed based on bedside echocardiography findings.

A rare extrapulmonary presentation of tuberculosis: Breast tuberculosis.

Key Clinical Message: Breast abscess of long duration can be tubercular origin in both developing and developed countries despite its rarity. Abstract: A 34-year-old lady presented with painful lump on her breast for 2 months, which was diagnosed with mammary tuberculosis on basis of aspiration cytology and successfully treated with antitubercular drugs. Breast abscess of long duration may be tubercular etiology in both developing and developed nations.

Undiagnosed polycythemia, an uncommon cause of Wallenberg syndrome: A case report.

A 26-year-old man presented with difficulty swallowing, dizziness, hiccups, and Horner's syndrome. Clinical and neuroimaging collaboration confirmed lateral medullary syndrome. Polycythemia was identified as the only attributable risk factor. However, the cause of polycythemia could not be assessed further. Polycythemia was managed with phlebotomy.

Anuria, an Atypical Presentation of Leptospirosis: A Case Report.

Leptospirosis, an underreported disease, is a highly prevalent spirochaetal zoonotic disease in both tropical and temperate climates. Symptoms can range from mild illness to potentially life-threatening infection. Laboratory tests are nonspecific. Microbiological confirmation is not widely available in endemic developing countries like Nepal. We need to rely on the serologic test, which has its own pitfalls in the initial days of illness. Here, we report a case of 56 years old female from the western region of Nepal who presented with fever, jaundice and anuria. She initially tested negative for leptospirosis but was later found to be positive in the second week of illness. Unlike the usual non-oliguric renal failure in leptospirosis, she presented with anuria requiring haemodialysis and subsequently had a good recovery with treatment. We highlight the importance of clinical suspicion and logical interpretation of serologic tests based on its timing from the onset of illness.

Extensive bilateral intracranial calcifications and seizure in iatrogenic hypoparathyroidism: A case report.

Postoperative permanent hypoparathyroidism can exhibit extensive intracranial calcifications involving basal ganglia, thalamus, cerebellum, and cerebral cortex.

Endogenous endophthalmitis and multifocal brain abscess-An interesting case.

We present an unusual case that staphylococcal brain abscess can present in an immunocompetent with endogenous endophthalmitis secondary to a septic foci and early prevention of dissemination with appropriate management to prevent its complications.

Pituitary Apoplexy Complicated by Cerebral Infarction: A Case Report.

Cerebral infarction is a rare complication of pituitary apoplexy, which can result in significant morbidity if not treated on time. Pituitary apoplexy mostly occurs in pre-existing adenoma, which can remain undiagnosed until symptoms arise. Here, we present a case of a 26-year-old man with undiagnosed acromegaly who presented with left retro-orbital pain, diminished vision of the left eye, and right hemiparesis. Neuroimaging revealed large hemorrhagic sellar mass and ischemic infarction in the left middle cerebral artery territory. Emergency transcranial tumor excision was done, which resulted in significant neurological recovery.

A Rare and Misdiagnosed Entity Paroxysmal Nocturnal Hemoglobinuria: A Case Report.

Paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH) is a rare, acquired stem cell disorder manifesting as non-immunological hemolytic anemia, hemoglobinuria, unusual thrombosis, and renal impairment due to deficiency of glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI) linked proteins in red blood cells. Patients present with features of chronic non-immune intravascular hemolysis, unexplained anemia, and thrombosis at unusual sites. It is often misdiagnosed and treated as anemia due to a low degree of suspicion. In resource-limited settings, the low degree of suspicion and paucity of investigations are the major diagnostic challenges. The even bigger challenge remains in the affordability of definitive treatment after a diagnosis has been made. Herein, we present a case of PNH in a 26-year man from rural Nepal who went undetected during the initial presentation of hemolytic anemia and later presented to us with hemolytic anemia and gastrointestinal symptoms. We made the provisional diagnosis based on the clinical presentations. However, we faced challenges in reaching the final diagnosis and providing the definitive treatment due to financial constraints and limited resources. Any patient presenting with features of chronic non-immune intravascular hemolysis, unexplained anemia, and unusual thrombosis should prompt the consideration of PNH.

Tuberculosis with Evans syndrome: A case report.

Evans syndrome and tuberculosis could be predisposing factors for one another, or there may be a common pathophysiological denominator for the co-occurrence. Further research is needed for a better understanding of pathophysiology and treatment.

Hemochromatosis in a ß-thalassemia minor patient with H63D homozygous mutation: A case report.

ß-thalassemia heterozygosity can cause significant iron overload when accompanied by HFE gene mutations and inappropriate iron supplementation.