[Catastrophic antiphospholipid syndrome complicated by cardiogenic shock - a case report]. / Katastroficzny zespól antyfosfolipidowy przebiegajacy ze wstrzasem kardiogennym - opis przypadku.

A case of a 29-year-old woman 18 days after delivery with catastrophic antiphospholipid syndrome secondary (CAPS) due to undiagnosed systemic lupus erythematosus, leading to cardiogenic shock is reported. Laboratory evaluation revealed increased anticardiolipin antibodies, lupus anticoagulant, antinuclear antibody and thrombocytopenia. Left ventricular ejection fraction was 20%, neurologic deficit and acute renal failure were also present. Cardiac involvement is common in CAPS, but cardiomyopathy due to microvascular thrombosis is rare. CAPS should be considered as a cause of acute heart failure in a women with systemic lupus erythematosus. In the presented case early therapy with anticoagulants, steroids, immunoglobulins and plasmaferesis was beneficial.

[Reversible thyrotoxic cardiomyopathy--report of three cases]. / Odwracalna kardiomiopatia w przebiegu tyreotoksykozy--opis trzech przypadków.

Three patients with thyrotoxicosis, atrial tachyarrhythmia and congestive heart failure despite successful treatment of hyperthyroidism revealed atrial fibrillation/flagellation and left ventricular systolic dysfunction. Congestive heart failure resolved and left ventricular systolic function normalized only after successful cardioversion to sinus rhythm. In some patients treated for hyperthyroidism, achievement of euthyroid state is not by itself sufficient to reverse left ventricular failure. Improvement after successful reversion of atrial tachyarrhythmia suggest its essential role in pathogenesis of thyrotoxic cardiomyopathy.