Association of the interatrial block and left atrial fibrosis in the patients without history of atrial fibrillation.

Presence of left atrial (LA) fibrosis reflects underlying atrial cardiomyopathy. Interatrial block (IAB) is associated with LA fibrosis in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). The association of IAB and LA fibrosis in the patients without history of AF is unknown. We examined association of IAB and LA fibrosis in the patients without AF history. This is a retrospective analysis of 229 patients undergoing cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR). LA fibrosis was reported from spatial extent of late gadolinium enhancement of CMR. IAB was measured from 12-lead electrocardiography using digital caliper. Of 229 patients undergoing CMR, prevalence of IAB was 50.2%. Patients with IAB were older (56.9±13.9 years vs. 45.9±19.2 years, p<0.001) and had higher prevalence of co-morbidities. Left ventricular ejection fraction was lower in IAB group. LA volume index (LAVI) was greater in IAB group (54.6±24.9 ml/m2 vs. 43.0±21.1 ml/m2, p<0.001). Patients with IAB had higher prevalence of LA fibrosis than those without IAB (70.4% vs. 21.2%; p<0.001). After multivariable analysis, only IAB and LAVI were independent factors that predict LA fibrosis. Prevalence of IAB in patients undergoing CMR was high. IAB was highly associated with LA fibrosis and larger LA size in patients without AF history.

A 34-Year-Old Thai Man Presenting with Pulmonary Stenosis and Heart Failure 24 Years After Surgical Correction with the Rastelli Procedure for Congenital Dextro-Transposition of the Great Artery, Ventricular Septal Defect, and Pulmonary Atresia.

BACKGROUND Dextro-transposition of the great arteries (D-TGA) with a ventricular septal defect (VSD) and pulmonary atresia is an uncommon congenital conotruncal abnormality. Surgical correction is performed using the Rastelli procedure, which includes a ventricular septal patch to direct blood from the left ventricle to the aorta and a valved conduit to connect the right ventricle to the pulmonary artery. This report is of a 34-year-old Thai man who presented with pulmonary stenosis and heart failure 24 years after surgical correction with the Rastelli procedure for congenital D-TGA, VSD, and pulmonary atresia. CASE REPORT A 34-year-old Thai man presented with dyspnea on moderate exertion. His cardiovascular examination revealed a median sternal surgical scar, parasternal heaving, a grade III systolic ejection murmur at the left upper parasternal border, and a single second heart sound. Echocardiography demonstrated degenerative calcification of a severely stenosed pulmonary valve and impaired right ventricular function. A color Doppler M-mode echocardiogram showed VSD patch leakage. A computed tomography scan with 3-dimensional heart reconstruction demonstrated a significantly stenosed branch pulmonary artery. Right and left heart catheterization confirmed the multi-site stenoses were hemodynamically significant. The patient underwent surgery for VSD closure, placement of a right-ventricle-to-pulmonary-artery conduit with a polytetrafluoroethylene graft, and pulmonary artery plasty to correct the stenosis at the branch of the pulmonary artery. CONCLUSIONS The long-term complications of the Rastelli-type operation seen for D-TGA with a VSD and pulmonary atresia included a right-ventricle-to-pulmonary-artery conduit obstruction, VSD patch leakage, and re-stenosis of the peripheral pulmonary stenosis. Multimodal imaging was informative in planning for reoperation.

Prevalence of Staphylococcus aureus nasal carriage and surgical site infection rate among patients undergoing elective cardiac surgery.

BACKGROUND: Nasal carriers of Staphylococcus aureus are at increased risk of postoperative surgical site infection. Nasal decolonization with mupirocin is recommended in patients undergoing cardiac surgery to reduce surgical site infection. These data are still lacking in Thailand. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of S. aureus nasal carriage in Thai patients undergoing elective cardiac surgery. The association of surgical site infection and S. aureus nasal carriage was also examined. METHODS: This was a prospective cohort study of 352 patients who planned to undergo elective cardiac surgery. Nasal swab culture was performed in all patients preoperatively. RESULTS: Of 352 patients, 46 (13.1%) had a positive nasal swab culture for methicillin-sensitive S. aureus (MSSA) and one patient (0.3%) harbored a methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) strain. The incidence of superficial and deep surgical site infection was 1.3% and 0.3%, respectively. After multivariate analysis, S. aureus nasal carriage was independently associated with superficial surgical site infection (odds ratio 13.04, 95% confidence interval 1.28-133.27; P=0.03). CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of MSSA and MRSA nasal carriage in Thai patients undergoing elective cardiac surgery was low. The incidence of surgical site infection was also very low in the population studied. Nevertheless, it was found that S. aureus nasal carriage increased the risk of superficial surgical site infection.

A 13-Year-Old Boy from Thailand with Hutchinson-Gilford Progeria Syndrome with Coronary Artery and Aortic Calcification and Non-ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction (NSTEMI).

BACKGROUND Hutchinson-Gilford progeria syndrome (HGPS), also known as progeria, is due to a mutation in the LMNA gene, resulting in a life expectancy of no more than 13 years, and a high mortality rate due to cardiovascular disease. We report the case of a 13-year-old boy from Thailand with Hutchinson-Gilford progeria syndrome with coronary artery and aortic calcification and non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI). CASE REPORT A 13-year-old Thai boy was diagnosed with progeria. His physical appearance included short stature and thin limbs with prominent joint stiffness. He had craniofacial disproportion, with the absence of earlobes and with micrognathia. His skin had a generalized scleroderma-like lesion and hair loss with prominent scalp veins. His mental and cognitive functions were normal. Unfortunately, the mutation status in the LMNA gene was not available for testing in Thailand. He was diagnosed as having NSTEMI based on clinical chest pain, 12-lead ECG, and elevated cardiac troponin level. The coronary calcium score reflected severe calcification of the aortic valve and coronary artery disease along the left main and left anterior descending arteries. The patient received treatment with medication and aggressive risk factor control. After 3 months of follow-up, the patient reported no recurrence of symptoms. CONCLUSIONS This case of Hutchinson-Gilford progeria syndrome is rare in that most patients do not live beyond 13 years of age. This patient presented with typical accelerated degenerative changes of the cardiovascular system, including NSTEMI.

Large Aneurysmal Rupture of Coronary-Pulmonary Artery Fistula After Buffalo Goring.

BACKGROUND Coronary-to-pulmonary artery fistulas are congenital coronary anomalies that are often incidentally found and no hemodynamic significance. They are abnormal vessels originating from the coronary artery and terminating into the pulmonary artery, with a tortuous pathway. However, coronary-pulmonary artery fistula associated with coronary artery aneurysm is a rare condition that can cause cardiac death. CASE REPORT A 55-year-old Thai woman diagnosed with traumatic aortic injury after being gored by a buffalo was incidentally found by computed tomography (CT) to have a coronary arteriovenous fistula with large aneurysm. One week after urgent thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR), she had a cardiac tamponade. Median sternotomy was performed for diagnosis and treatment. The final diagnosis was rupture of a large aneurysm of the coronary-pulmonary artery fistula (CPAF). No complications were found and the patient was discharged 2 weeks after surgery. CONCLUSIONS CPAF associated with rupture of a giant coronary aneurysm is a rare and life-threatening condition. Prompt diagnosis and emergency surgery are essential to treatment of these patients.

Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy Complicated with Left Ventricular Thrombus in Myasthenic Crisis: A Case Report.

BACKGROUND Myasthenia gravis can precipitate severe stress particularly during a myasthenic crisis episode. Takotsubo cardiomyopathy has been demonstrated in several conditions associated with emotional or physical stress. As a result, Takotsubo cardiomyopathy is not uncommon in patients with MG. The severe complications of Takotsubo cardiomyopathy include heart failure and left ventricular thrombus associated with thromboembolic risk. The concomitant myasthenic crisis and Takotsubo cardiomyopathy with apical left ventricular thrombus has never been reported. CASE REPORT A 67-year- old Thai female diagnosed with myasthenia gravis was admitted to the intensive care unit due to the myasthenic crisis. The 12-lead electrocardiogram showed marked QT interval prolongation and diffuse large T-wave inversion. Echocardiogram demonstrated basal hyperkinesia and apical akinesia with apical ballooning. Hyperechoic mass was noted in akinetic left ventricular apex. Takotsubo cardiomyopathy with apical left ventricular thrombus was diagnosed. Both conditions were successfully treated in this patient without any complications. CONCLUSIONS The electrocardiogram surveillance in patients with myasthenic crisis is essential to detect the occurrence of Takotsubo cardiomyopathy and its complications. Early diagnosis and treatments may decrease mortality and morbidity related with this condition.