A Case of Ventricular Fibrillation in Masked Long-QT Syndrome Coexisting with Coronary Vasospasm.

Although long-QT syndrome (LQTS) with a normal range QT interval at rest leads to fatal ventricular arrhythmias, it is difficult to diagnose. In this article, we present a rare case of a patient who suffered a cardiac arrest and was recently diagnosed with LQTS and coronary vasospasm. A 62-year-old man with no syncopal episodes had a cardiopulmonary arrest while running. During coronary angiography, vasospasm was induced and we prescribed coronary vasodilators, including calcium channel blockers. An exercise stress test was performed to evaluate the effect of medications and accidentally unveiled exercise-induced QT prolongation. He was diagnosed with LQTS based on diagnostic criteria. Pharmacotherapy and an implantable cardioverter defibrillator were used for his medical management. It is extremely rare for LQTS and coronary vasospasm to coexist. In cases of exercise-induced arrhythmic events, the exercise stress test might be helpful to diagnose underlying disease.

Sodium-Glucose Cotransporter-2 Inhibitors Stabilize Coronary Plaques in Acute Coronary Syndrome With Diabetes Mellitus.

Sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors (SGLT2is) are widely used in cardiology and are effective in treating acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Their effects on unstable plaque in patients with ACS remains unclear. This study aimed to examine the effectiveness of SGLT2is in coronary plaque based on optical coherence tomography (OCT) images and the prognosis of ACS with type 2 diabetes mellitus. This retrospective study included 109 patients in the total cohort and 29 patients in the OCT cohort. Based on SGLT2i administration after ACS, the total cohort was categorized into non-SGLT2i (n = 69) and SGLT2i (n = 40) groups. The OCT cohort had 15 and 14 patients in the non-SGLT2i and SGLT2i groups, respectively. The OCT images of unstable plaque were analyzed in nonstented lesions during ACS catheterization and at the 6-month follow-up. The total cohort was assessed after 1 year for major adverse cardiovascular events, including all-cause mortality, revascularization, cerebrovascular disease, and heart failure hospitalization. SGLT2is improved unstable lesions with a significantly thicker fibrous cap (48 ± 15 µm vs 26 ± 24 µm, p = 0.005), reduced lipid arc (-29 ± 12° vs -18 ± 14°, p = 0.028), higher % decrease in total lipid arc (-35 ± 13% vs -19 ± 18%, p = 0.01), and lower major adverse cardiovascular event incidence (log-rank p = 0.023, hazard ratio 4.72 [1.08 to 20.63]) and revascularization rate (adjusted hazard ratio 6.77 [1.08 to 42.52]) than the non-SGLT2i group. In conclusion, SGLT2is can improve the markers of plaque stability and may improve the prognosis in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Predictors of Poor Very Early Diuretic Response and Effectiveness of Early Tolvaptan in Symptomatic Acute Heart Failure.

BACKGROUND: Diuretic response (DR) in patients with symptomatic acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF) has an impact on prognosis. This study aimed to identify predictive factors influencing acute 6 h poor DR and to assess DR after early administration of tolvaptan (TLV). METHODS: This multicenter retrospective study included 1670 patients who were admitted for ADHF and received intravenous furosemide within 1 h of presentation in clinical scenario 1 or 2 defined based on initial systolic blood pressure ≥100 mmHg with severe symptoms (New York Heart Association class III or IV (n = 830). The score for the poor DR factors in the very acute phase was calculated in patients treated with furosemide-only diuretics (n = 439). The DR to TLV administration was also assessed in patients who received an additional dose of TLV within 6 h (n = 391). RESULTS: The time since discharge from the hospital for a previous heart failure < 3 months (odds ratio [OR] 2.78, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.34-5.83; p = 0.006), loop diuretics at admission (OR 3.05, 95% CI 1.74-5.36; p < 0.0001), and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) < 45 mL/min/1.73 m2 (OR 2.99, 95% CI 1.58-5.74; p = 0.0007) were independent determinants of poor DR. The frequency of poor DR according to the risk stratification group was low risk (no risk factor), 18.9%; middle risk (one risk factor), 33.1%; and high risk (two to three risk factors), 58.0% (p < 0.0001). All risk groups demonstrated a significantly lower incidence of poor DR with early TLV administration: 10.7% in the early TLV group versus 18.9% in the loop diuretics group (p = 0.09) of the low-risk group; 18.4% versus 33.1% (p = 0.01) in the middle-risk group, and 20.2% versus 58.0% (p < 0.0001) in the high-risk group. CONCLUSION: Early administration of TLV in patients with predicted poor DR contributed to a significant diuretic effect and suppression of worsening renal function.

Acute myocardial infarction immediately after second vaccination for coronavirus disease 2019.

We present a serious and rare case of acute myocardial infarction soon after the administration of second vaccination for coronavirus disease 2019. Patient's culprit lesion in the right coronary artery was identified and appropriately treated using intravascular imaging. Postvaccination monitoring of patients who are at high risk of cardiovascular diseases is critical. Rare but severe cases of acute myocardial infarction following vaccination for coronavirus disease 2019 have been reported. Physicians should consider this rare side effect as a possible differential diagnosis and appropriately manage such patients.

Atherosclerotic Progression Is Related to Immune-Related Adverse Events.

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) are widely used in various types of cancers and patients. Recently, it has been reported that ICIs aggravate atherosclerosis. This study aimed to identify characteristics that are related to the progression of atherosclerosis.This study was conducted in a single medical center and included 32 patients who were grouped based on the presence of an immune-related adverse event (IRAE). There were 16 IRAE patients and 16 non-IRAE patients. Atherosclerosis was measured as the volume of calcified plaque at the aortic arch on a computed tomography (CT) scan. We measured the volume on CT at 3 time points as follows: before treatment, at ICI initiation, and after 180 days or more.After the first ICI administration, the IRAE group showed significant exacerbation of atherosclerosis compared to the non-IRAE group (P = 0.002). A high volume of plaque was observed in IRAE patients after ICI treatment as compared to before ICI administration (P = 0.058).ICIs tend to hasten atherosclerosis progression in IRAE patients, indicating that high-risk cardiovascular patients should be concerned about cardiovascular events. Moreover, this study suggests the possibility of predicting IRAEs based on the volume of calcified plaques.

Two cases of lung cancer with hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis caused by immune checkpoint inhibitors.

We report the cases of two patients with secondary hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis caused by immune checkpoint inhibitors, who were diagnosed using the recently developed HScore. The first patient presented with fever, cytopenia, and elevated liver enzyme levels at 46 days post-pembrolizumab administration. The HScore was 175. The second patient developed an immune-related adverse event at 30 days after the final pembrolizumab dose. The HScore was 185. Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis was confirmed in both patients, and corticotherapy improved their condition. It is challenging to diagnose hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis, particularly after development at a late stage. Our patients developed hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis late after immune checkpoint inhibitor administration. However, the HScore enabled us to diagnose both cases precisely and in a timely manner.