A Case of Severe QTc Prolongation During Targeted Temperature Management - What Can We Learn?

BACKGROUND QTc prolongation during targeted temperature management (TTM) post cardiac arrest is a known effect of hypothermia, but its significance is unclear. Several studies suggest that temporary prolongation during TTM is not prognostic and does not potentiate fatal arrhythmias; however, there are limited cases of patients presenting with QTc intervals >700 milliseconds. CASE REPORT We describe a case in which a 57-year-old woman with diabetes, hypertension, and atrial fibrillation presented with concern for stroke. The hospital course was complicated by cardiac arrest requiring TTM, which was stopped early due to significant QTc prolongation of 746 milliseconds. CONCLUSIONS TTM is beneficial post resuscitation for good neurological outcomes, but it also has known adverse cardiac effects such as QTc prolongation. The significance of QTc prolongation during TTM is unclear as several studies have shown no increased incidence of malignant arrhythmias. One case report in the literature describes the incidence of torsades de pointes due to QTc prolongation during TTM. Further study and guidelines regarding electrocardiogram monitoring are needed to determine the importance of QTc prolongation during TTM.

Cranial Nerve IX and X Weakness: An Unusual Initial Presentation of Myasthenia Gravis.

BACKGROUND Myasthenia gravis (MG) is an autoimmune disease characterized by antibodies binding skeletal muscle acetylcholine receptors (AChR). Rarely does the disease manifest with orolaryngeal symptoms before ocular ones. We present a case of MG that on initial presentation had symptoms of cranial nerves (CN) IX and X weakness, including dysphagia and dysphonia. CASE REPORT A 51-year-old woman with panic attacks presented to the Emergency Department (ED) with complaints of her throat closing, swallowing difficulty, and hoarse voice. Multiple ED visits revealed no etiology. However, she developed stridor, which prompted further evaluation. Laryngoscopy and imaging studies revealed no gross abnormalities; therefore, her symptoms of dysphonia and difficulty breathing were attributed to anxiety. Her hospital course was complicated by a cardiac arrest requiring intubation. ECHO, CTA chest, and MRI brain were unremarkable. Her cardiac arrest was hypothesized as being secondary to laryngeal spasm. During her ICU course, she failed extubation multiple times due to acute respiratory failure. An autoimmune etiology was suspected, prompting a paraneoplastic screen, which revealed elevated levels of AChR antibodies at 124 mmol/L. MG was diagnosed and treatment with plasmapheresis and steroids was initiated. However, complications of thrombocytopenia, anemia, and ARDS ensued, so MG treatment was discontinued. The patient was eventually transferred to a LTACH. Thereafter, at outpatient followup, her MG was treated with mycophenolate and prednisone, which led to significant symptom improvement. CONCLUSIONS MG commonly presents in the third decade with clinical features of ptosis, diplopia, and facial weakness. However, initial and isolated symptoms of dysphagia and dysphonia are rare, leading to missed diagnoses. Our case of a middle-aged woman posed a diagnostic challenge because of her uncommon presentation and comorbidities of panic attacks and obesity. This case highlights the crucial need for a high index of clinical suspicion for MG in any patient presenting with symptoms of CN IX and X weakness.

One Lung Soldier: A Ventilation Conundrum in a Postpneumonectomy Syndrome Complicated by Acute Respiratory Syndrome.

Postpneumonectomy syndrome involves mediastinal shift causing dynamic airway obstruction via compression of the main bronchus and distal trachea. A few case reports describe the development of ARDS in patients with postpneumonectomy syndrome. Reeb et al. (2017) describe the mortality of postpneumonectomy ARDS anywhere from 33% to 88%. One may encounter difficulty in intubation and ventilation as parameters based on ideal body weight may not apply. Prone positioning ventilation and ECMO have been successfully used in isolated cases. We present such a case and highlight challenges in management. A 70-year-old male Vietnam veteran with remote history of right pneumonectomy thirty years prior presented with fever, cough, and dyspnea. Physical exam was significant for T 36.3°C, BP 162/73, heart rate 145 BPM, RR 22 breaths/minute, ht. 1.72 m, and wt. 78 kg, with transmitted right lung sounds and rhonchi on the left. Labs showed WBC 23.92/nL and procalcitonin 0.84 ng/mL. CXR showed left infiltrate and opacification of right hemithorax with right mediastinal shift. EKG showed atrial fibrillation. He was started on broad spectrum antibiotics for pneumonia, but deteriorated, and was intubated for respiratory distress from ARDS. Vasopressors were initiated for shock. Given the history of pneumonectomy, he was initially ventilated with lower tidal volumes (320 mL). However, incremental changes were made to tidal volumes, and ETT was repositioned several times for hypoxia. Epoprostenol and cisatracurium were also initiated. Positional changes would lead to sudden desaturation; hence, prone positioning ventilation was not done. He was not considered for ECMO due to his pneumonectomy status. Unfortunately, his condition worsened progressively and he expired. The guidelines for ARDS are well established. However, postpneumonectomy patients are unique as seen in our patient. It is unclear whether an endobronchial tube advanced into the left bronchus could have helped difficult airway management resulting from suspected postpneumonectomy syndrome as suggested by CXR. Higher tidal volumes were also unsuccessful in alleviating hypoxia and led to persistently elevated plateau pressures and driving pressures as high as 23, which was inconsistent with our goal of lung protective ventilation. Few case reports describe the successful use of prone positioning ventilation or ECMO in postpneumonectomy patients with ARDS. Although not well studied, low tidal volumes supported with ECMO may have been a favorable strategy for our patient.

Reverse Takotsubo Pattern in the Setting of Undiagnosed Pheochromocytoma and Pulmonary Embolism: A Rare Presentation.

BACKGROUND Takotsubo cardiomyopathy is a rare acute cardiac event with varied manifestations characterized by abrupt onset of transient regional dysfunction in a characteristic pattern. A reverse Takotsubo pattern is also well recognized but can also be seen in non-Takotsubo cardiomyopathies. CASE REPORT A 23-year-old woman with history of migraines and palpitations presented with nausea, vomiting, pleuritic chest pain, and dyspnea. On initial presentation her vitals were stable and her physical exam was unremarkable. Lab test results were significant for an elevated troponin and D-dimer. An initial CXR was unremarkable. The differential was concerning for pulmonary embolism. Prior to getting a CTA to establish diagnosis, she quickly decompensated. She was emergently intubated due to hypoxia and altered mental status. A repeat CXR showed acute pulmonary edema and repeat lab work showed increasing troponin and creatinine. EKG showed lateral ST depressions the lateral leads and ST elevations in aVL. ECHO showed akinesia of ½ to 2/3rd of proximal LV with a hyperdynamic functioning distal 1/3 LV and an estimated LVEF of 31%, a pattern consistent with reverse Takotsubo. She quickly developed multi-organ failure and, despite aggressive measures, underwent a PEA arrest and was unable to be successfully resuscitated. The autopsy showed hemorrhagic rupture of pheochromocytoma and bilateral thromboemboli of the main pulmonary arteries. CONCLUSIONS Reverse Takotsubo variant pattern can be seen in non-Takotsubo cardiomyopathies, and in our patient was noted in the presence of pheochromocytoma and pulmonary embolism. In this scenario, the presence of both would have significantly affected management, if she had not decompensated so quickly.

Complete Heart Block: A Rare Complication of Takotsubo Syndrome.

Takotsubo syndrome was believed to be a rare acute cardiac event until recently with takotsubo cardiomyopathy being its most commonly recognized and often the diagnostic feature. Its diagnosis is becoming increasingly common with varied clinical manifestations most of whom have favorable clinical outcomes, yet it can be associated with life-threatening complications. We report a case of takotsubo syndrome leading to complete heart block which is a unique complication of an otherwise self-resolving disease.