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We present a rare case of dobutamine-supported WATCHMAN FLX™ device deployment in a medically complex patient prone to recurrent left atrial appendage thrombus and spontaneous echo contrast formation due to underlying low-flow state.
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INTRODUCTION: Cardiac rehabilitation after transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) safely improves exercise tolerance, functional independence, and quality of life. However, barriers such as transportation, cost, and limited access to rehabilitation programs prohibits participation. In 2010, the Veterans Affairs Medical Center (VAMC) started a 12-week home-based cardiac rehabilitation (HBCR) program at 13 sites around the country to increase participation by reducing such barriers. We present the findings of HBCR in post-TAVR patients from the VAMC in Gainesville, FL, USA. METHODS: Fifty-nine patients who underwent TAVR between 2015 and 2018 at the Gainesville VA were offered HBCR. Forty-one patients enrolled, 28 completed the program, and 14 completed the surveys. We used various performance measures including Life's Simple 7 survey, 6-min Walk (6-MW), Duke Activity Survey Index (DASI), and Short Form-36 (SF-36) health survey to assess the pre and post-HBCR changes in emotional, functional, and physical well-being of the patients. RESULTS: Paired comparison of pre and post-HBCR using Wilcoxon signed-rank test revealed a statistically significant difference in the pre and post-HBCR scores for DASI, DASI-Mets, and SF-36 physical functioning (p values 0.05, 0.034, and 0.016, respectively), suggesting an improvement in the patients' physical functioning after participating in the HBCR program. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, our pilot study offers novel insight into the role of HBCR in improving physical health and well-being in post-TAVR patients while eliminating the barriers of transportation and access to cardiac rehabilitation programs.
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Lyme disease is the most common vector-borne disease in the northern hemisphere. Neurological complications usually manifest in patients who do not receive treatment for Lyme disease. Neurological involvement may be early or late, depending on the duration of the symptoms. Early neuroborreliosis presents with symptoms such as headache and meningism; late neuroborreliosis can present with signs and symptoms of encephalopathy and stroke-like symptoms. The diagnosis is based on clinical manifestations and lumbar puncture finding. Treatment consists of intravenous antibiotics for a period of three to four weeks. Patients who receive early treatment usually have an excellent prognosis, with very few patients developing post-treatment Lyme disease syndrome. Here, we report an unusual case of Lyme disease with extremely high cerebrospinal fluid protein level and devastating neurological sequelae. The diagnosis of neuroborreliosis is based on neurological symptoms and lumbar puncture findings.
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A 57-year-old man with a known anterior mediastinal mass presented with abdominal distension, jaundice, and signs of urinary and bowel obstruction. Labs revealed leukocytosis, transaminitis, direct hyperbilirubinaemia and elevated levels of alkaline phosphatase, lactate dehydrogenase and uric acid. Subsequent imaging revealed the anterior mediastinal mass and diffuse liver lesions consistent with metastatic disease. MRI of the spine and brain were negative for metastases. Liver biopsy and immunohistochemistry revealed basaloid squamous cell carcinoma of thymic origin. Treatment with capecitabine was initiated but was complicated by worsening liver and kidney failure. Eventually, due to continued worsening of the patient's condition and minimal treatment response, capecitabine was stopped during cycle 1 and the patient was discharged to inpatient hospice with comfort care. In this case report, we highlight the presenting features, imaging findings and management of a patient with metastatic thymic carcinoma.