Osmotic Demyelination Syndrome due to Rhabdomyolysis and Hyperosmolar Hyperglycemic Syndrome following Cardiogenic Shock.

Osmotic demyelination syndrome (ODS) is a relatively rare disease that causes rapid demyelination, resulting in pontine and central nervous system damage with various symptoms, including impaired consciousness. It often occurs when hyponatremia is rapidly corrected. However, it can also occur when a normonatremic patient suddenly develops hypernatremia. A 51-year-old man developed cardiogenic shock with impaired consciousness, hyperCKemia, hypernatremia, and hyperglycemia. Osmotic demyelination syndrome secondary to rhabdomyolysis and hyperosmolar hyperglycemic syndrome was suspected. The patient's fluid volume decreased because of osmotic diuresis caused by hyperglycemia, and the blood sodium level increased rapidly. The latter resulted in ODS, which in turn resulted in a prolonged disturbance of consciousness, from which he has not yet recovered. ODS has been reported as a serious complication of rapid correction of hyponatremia, although it also occurs when normonatremia leads to hypernatremia. This disease is difficult to diagnose, as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain is often unremarkable several weeks after its onset. This case of ODS occurred when normonatremia led to hypernatremia, as a result of rhabdomyolysis and hyperosmolar hyperglycemic syndrome. Diagnosis was made based on the MRI brain findings.

Development of monomorphic ventricular tachycardia in a patient with fever-induced Brugada syndrome.

A 50-year-old woman visited the emergency department with a high fever due to pneumonia. Incessant monomorphic ventricular tachycardia occurred and was terminated by intravenous lidocaine. Her ECG during sinus rhythm demonstrated ST segment elevation suggestive of Brugada syndrome (BS). An intensive examination could not detect any structural disease, and typical coved-type ST elevation was unmasked by a pilsicainide injection leading to a diagnosis of BS. An ICD was implanted for secondary prevention of ventricular arrhythmia. The patient has been free from any recurrences of arrhythmia for 3 years.

[Papillary Fibroelastoma of the Left Ventricular Outflow Tract;Report of a Case].

Papillary fibroelastoma(PFE) is a rare and benign primary cardiac neoplasm. The incidence of PFE in the left ventricle is lower than that in other parts of the heart. A 67-year-old female was referred to our cardiology department for treatment of severe cardiac failure due to mitral regurgitation. Transthoracic and transesophageal echocardiography coincidently revealed a 1.0 cm highly mobile mass attached by a stalk to the outflow tract wall of the left ventricle. The mass was easily detected using endoscope and successfully removed without any postoperative complications and was pathologically diagnosed as a PFE. In this report, we discuss the echocardiographic character of PFE and the usefulness of endoscope for the identification and resection of a PFE in the left ventricle.

Five-year administration of tocilizumab to a patient with rheumatoid arthritis complicated by severe chronic heart failure.

We herein described the long-term administration of tocilizumab (TCZ) to a patient with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) complicated by three vessel coronary artery disease and severe heart failure (HF). A 41-year-old male was admitted to our hospital with exacerbated RA and congestive HF. Cardiac ultrasonography revealed diffuse hypokinesis with a left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) of 16.8% and New York Heart Association (NYHA) class III/IV HF. Swelling and tenderness were noted in most of his joints. Methotrexate (MTX) was initiated during his hospitalization and TCZ was introduced 6 months later. Our patient has been treated with MTX and TCZ for five years without any adverse events, and RA and HF have remained stable. Although it may be anecdotal, we suggest that TCZ may be used as a treatment option in patients with RA complicated by severe HF.