ABSTRACT
Early reperfusion therapy with tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) for acute ischemic stroke has mortality benefits despite the risks. Myocardial infarction (MI) after the use of thrombolytic therapy is a rare complication. We report a 67-year-old woman with acute stroke who received tPA for acute ischemic stroke and subsequently developed ST elevation MI (STEMI), highlighting a rare and serious complication.
ABSTRACT
Factor V Leiden deficiency, the most common inherited thrombophilia, is a risk factor for venous thromboembolism in both the heterozygous and homozygous forms. An autosomal dominant genetic condition, the pattern of incomplete penetrance leads to variable manifestations of the disease. The association with arterial thromboembolism remains controversial, with studies indicating modest increases in risk of coronary artery disease, stroke. We present the case of a 53-year-old male with Wellens syndrome, with a history of heterozygous factor V Leiden deficiency and no other risk factors. Coronary angiography found a complete total occlusion of the proximal left anterior descending artery, with established collaterals, ultimately requiring coronary artery bypass graft. Laboratory testing effectively eliminated the presence of any alternative known risk factors for the advanced coronary artery disease. The literature evaluating a possible link between factor V Leiden deficiency and atherosclerosis remain conflicting. Our case highlights a concerning association and need for further studies.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Atrial fibrillation is currently managed with a variety of rate controlling and antiarrhythmic agents. Often, magnesium is used as adjunctive therapy, however, the benefit it provides in managing Afib with RVR has been debated. This study aimed to determine if IV MgSO4 administration in conjunction with standard therapy provides any synergistic effect in acute and prolonged control of Afib with RVR. METHODS: This was a retrospective study involving ninety patients with episodes of Afib with RVR during their hospitalization. The treatment group included those that had received magnesium (n=32) along with standard management and the control group (n=58) received only standard management. Heart rates at different time intervals were collected. Dose dependent effects of IV MgSO4 on heart rates were also evaluated. RESULTS: Patients that received magnesium had a lower mean heart rate (85 BPM versus 96 BPM, P<0.05) 24 hours after onset of the episode. Also, in the last 16 hours of observation, it appeared that administration of higher levels of magnesium resulted in statistically lower heart rates. In the group of patients that received 2 grams of magnesium, the mean heart rate at 8 hours was 103.4 beats/min and 84.8 beats/min at 24 hours (p<0.01). This same trend was not seen in patients that received 1 gram of magnesium or in the control group. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, the use of IV MgSO4 as an adjunctive treatment permitted normalization of the heart rate progressively that continued to at least 24 hours.
