Echocardiographic Differences in Women Across Subtypes of Hypertensive Disorders of Pregnancy.

Background: Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP) can be classified into gestational hypertension, preeclampsia (PRE), and chronic hypertension with superimposed preeclampsia (SPE). Objectives: The purpose of this study was to retrospectively examine the echocardiographic differences in biventricular structure and function in 3 HDP groups of women in comparison to normotensive pregnant controls. Methods: Women with an echocardiogram during or within the first year of pregnancy were identified within our integrated health network. Exclusion criteria included age <18 years, diagnosis of pulmonary embolism, malignancy, autoimmune disease, and structural heart disease. Results: We identified a total of 706 subjects (cases: n = 427, normotensive controls: n = 279). Cases were divided into 3 groups: gestational hypertension (n = 57), PRE (n = 291), and SPE (n = 79). In adjusted analyses, echocardiographic parameters demonstrated a graded difference in left ventricular (LV) mass index, relative wall thickness, mitral inflow E, mitral inflow A, septal e', lateral e', E/e', left atrial volume index, tricuspid velocity, and lateral e' velocities with the most profound findings noted in the SPE group. Specifically, adjusted LV mass index (adjusted ß = 14.45, 95% CI: 9.00-19.90) and E/e' (adjusted ß = 2.97, 95% CI: 2.27-3.68) was highest in the SPE group in comparison to controls (P < 0.001). Conclusions: LV remodeling and diastolic filling abnormalities are more common in HDP and are most evident in SPE and PRE. Echocardiography during or immediately after pregnancy may be useful in these high-risk women to identify these abnormalities. The long-term implications of these echocardiographic abnormalities require further study.

Burden of cardiovascular disease in Sub-Saharan Africa, 1990-2019: An analysis of the Global Burden of Disease Study.

INTRODUCTION: The rise in cardiovascular disease (CVD) in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) reflects a major shift from communicable to noncommunicable diseases as primary health challenges. Consequently, this study aims to explore the burden of CVD and associated risk factors in SSA using data from the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) database. METHODS: This study utilized data from the GBD 1990 to 2019 to examine CVD prevalence in 46 SSA countries. We employed Bayesian regression models, demographic techniques, and mortality-to-incidence ratios to analyze both prevalence and mortality rates. Additionally, disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) were computed, and various risk factors were examined using the GBD's comparative risk assessment framework. RESULTS: Between 1990 and 2019, CVD raw counts in SSA rose by 131.7 %, with a 2.1 % increase in age-standardized prevalence rates. The most prevalent conditions were ischemic heart disease, stroke, and rheumatic heart disease. During the same period, the age-standardized CVD deaths per 100,000 individuals decreased from 314 (1990) to 269 (2019), reflecting a -14.4 % decline. Age-standardized CVD DALY rates also showed a decrease from 6,755 in 1990 to 5,476 in 2019, with translates to 18.9 % reduction. By 2019, the Central African Republic, Madagascar, and Lesotho were the countries with the highest age-standardized DALY rates for all CVDs. CONCLUSIONS: The study highlights a contrasting trend in SSA's CVD landscape: a decrease in age-standardized mortality and DALYs contrasts with increasing CVD prevalence, emphasizing the need for targeted public health strategies that balance treatment advancements with intensified prevention and control measures.

Staphylococcus aureus native mitral valve endocarditis associated with bed bug bites - A case report and review of the literature.

Staphylococcus aureus is a leading cause of community acquired bacteremia and infective endocarditis. S. aureus is a part of the normal skin flora in approximately one third of the human population. Infective endocarditis due to S. aureus can cause several complications and is associated with increased mortality. A 48-year-old female with no significant medical history presented with S. aureus bacteremia and native mitral valve endocarditis. Multiple cutaneous skin lesions were identified, which she reported were due to recent bed bug bites. No source of infection was found except for the skin lesions. Her hospital course was complicated by pulmonary and cerebral septic emboli, left pleural empyema, and acute renal injury. We suspected the bed bug skin bites were the most likely source of bacteremia. Bed bugs carry many human pathogens but have not been shown to be a competent vector. We did not find any literature on endocarditis associated with bed bug bites; thus, our case will be a novel finding.

Teenager Presenting With Chest Pain and ST-Segment Changes on Electrocardiogram After SARS-CoV-2 Illness: Early Repolarization vs. Acute Pericarditis.

The ST-segment elevation is commonly associated with acute myocardial Infarction. However, there are other non-ischemic causes of ST-elevation. Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is a highly contagious illness that continues to plague the world since the first case was reported in China over two years ago. As cases of the diseases become rampant, we have learned more of its complications which can include cardiac and pericardial disease. We present a case report of a young African American male who presented with chest pain six weeks after being diagnosed with SARS-Cov-2 pneumonia. Electrocardiogram (EKG) showed ST-segment changes that were initially presumed to be acute pericarditis. The patient was initially treated with colchicine. After further workup and a second opinion, ST-segment changes were thought to be likely benign early repolarization changes rather than pericarditis. Differential diagnosis of ST-segment changes on EKG in the patient with chest pain is broad. Subtle findings on EKG are important in distinguishing these differentials and should be well known and understood.

Rare case of pancrelipase therapy-induced neutropaenia.

A 61-year-old man was transferred to our facility from an outside hospital due to refractory neutropaenia of unknown aetiology. The patient presented to the referring hospital with a 5-day history of worsening diarrhoea and abdominal pain. Initial lab results at presentation showed severe neutropaenia with an absolute neutrophil count of 0. Investigations included a bone marrow biopsy which showed slightly hypocellular marrow with near absence of granulocytic precursors. A CT without contrast showed evidence of chronic pancreatitis and acute colitis. The patient's neutropaenia persisted despite granulocyte colony-stimulating factor therapy. The patient was, thus, transferred to our facility for a higher level of care. At our facility, the patient had rapid correction of neutropaenia after discontinuation of pancrelipase therapy. The patient's abdominal pain and diarrhoea also improved while off pancrelipase. Neutropaenia has completely resolved 6 weeks after discharge without any further therapy.