Thrombus in transit across a patent foramen ovale in a patient with cerebrovascular accidents, pulmonary embolism, and deep vein thrombosis.

The diagnosis of paradoxical emboli remains elusive in many cases. The causal association between the thrombotic source, the intracardiac shunt, and the final emboli location is seldom demonstrated. We present the case of a 42-year-old woman admitted to the hospital with a third stroke. The presence of a thrombus in transit through a patent foramen ovale (PFO), a deep vein thrombosis (DVT), bilateral pulmonary emboli, and an acute cerebral infarct were concurrently documented.

Biventricular apical thrombi in a patient presenting with new-onset dilated cardiomyopathy.

The diagnosis of an apical left ventricular thrombus in the setting of a dilated cardiomyopathy is not uncommon. However, biventricular apical thrombi in this setting is unusual. We present a case of a 67-year-old man who was admitted with new onset heart failure with biventricular apical thrombus formation in the absence of a hypercoagulable state.

The Role of Rilonacept in Recurrent Pericarditis.

Recurrent pericarditis is associated with significant morbidity and adverse impact on quality of life. Contemporary studies have emphasized the key role of autoinflammatory pathways in its pathophysiology, mainly through the activation of inflammasomes and the production of interleukin (IL)-1α and IL-1ß. The IL-1 pathway has emerged as a promising target for the treatment of these patients. A novel IL-1 inhibitor, rilonacept, functions as an IL-1 trap binding to the circulating IL-1α and IL-1ß mitigating their inflammatory response. Recently, the RHAPSODY phase III clinical trial evaluated the use of rilonacept in patients with recurrent pericarditis, who were refractory to colchicine, or steroid-dependent. Rilonacept significantly reduced symptoms, inflammatory markers and recurrent episodes, and increased successful withdrawal of steroids. The safety profile of the medication is favourable and well tolerated by patients, with local injection site reaction being the most common side effect described. These results have shifted the paradigm of the understanding of the disease and promise to become part of the armamentarium of medications for the standard of care of these patients, with potential use as monotherapy. The changing landscape of therapeutics and pathophysiology warrants increased recognition and understanding from the international cardiology community about this novel drug and its implication in managing these complex patients.The objective of this review is to describe the bio-action of rilonacept in the treatment of recurrent pericarditis.