Left Ventricular Pseudoaneurysm: A Rare but Fatal Complication of Myocardial Infarction.

Left ventricular pseudoaneurysm is a ventricular free wall rupture contained within the adjacent adherent pericardium or scar tissue. Myocardial infarction (MI), cardiac surgery, and chest trauma are the common causes. The most common presenting symptoms of pseudoaneurysms are congestive heart failure, chest pain, and dyspnea, but a small percentage of patients may be asymptomatic. Early diagnosis and treatment are of prime importance because of the tendency of pseudoaneurysms to expand and rupture, with a high mortality rate, especially if left untreated. We present a case of a 65-year-old man who was found to have left ventricular pseudoaneurysm on a follow-up echocardiography within three weeks of an MI. He subsequently underwent patch repair and was discharged after medical optimization. Our case highlights the importance of maintaining a high clinical suspicion of pseudoaneurysm in a patient post-MI, as delayed diagnosis and treatment can be fatal.

A Hole in the Heart, a Hole in the Defenses: A Case of Pseudomonas Endocarditis.

Infective endocarditis (IE) is a rare but serious infection of the cardiac endothelium. This case report presents a rare instance of left-sided Pseudomonas aeruginosa endocarditis in an immunocompetent patient without traditional risk factors for IE. Pseudomonas endocarditis is uncommon and usually associated with specific factors. The patient in this case was a 30-year-old male with end-stage renal disease, receiving hemodialysis through a tunneled dialysis catheter, who developed a fever. Blood cultures confirmed P. aeruginosa as the causative agent, which prompted the administration of appropriate antibiotics and the removal of the catheter. However, subsequent imaging revealed significant damage to the mitral valve. Despite timely mitral valve replacement and aggressive medical treatment, the patient's condition worsened, and he ultimately succumbed to the infection. This case also emphasizes the necessity of timely diagnosis and intervention. In this patient, by the time it was diagnosed and managed, significant mitral valve damage had already occurred. Therefore, it should be considered a differential diagnosis even in patients with no risk factors and should be managed vigorously. Pseudomonas endocarditis is associated with high mortality, and successful treatment often requires a combination of antipseudomonal antibiotics due to the organism's ability to develop resistance. Surgical intervention, such as valve replacement, is frequently necessary. This case underscores the importance of considering P. aeruginosa infection, even in patients without traditional risk factors for IE. Early diagnosis, appropriate antibiotic therapy, and timely surgical intervention are critical for improving outcomes in Pseudomonas endocarditis cases.

Sphincter of oddi dysfunction induced by ketamine: A case report.

Key Clinical Message: Chronic ketamine use can lead to sphincter of oddi dysfunction (SOD), causing various hepatobiliary complications. Recognizing substance abuse history is vital for early detection. Timely intervention can prevent irreversible liver and pancreas damage. Abstract: Ketamine is commonly abused as a recreational drug worldwide due to its ability to induce euphoria-like effects. Ketamine abuse is associated with many hepatobiliary side effects ranging from cholestasis to biliary sepsis and death. Here we present a case of a young 29-year female with upper abdominal pain due to SOD resulting from chronic use of ketamine. SOD can result in obstruction or dysfunction of the bile and pancreatic ducts. Ketamine induces SOD by activation of the muscarinic receptors in the sphincter of oddi. Detail history of substance abuse is crucial for early identification of ketamine-induced SOD. Early identification and treatment of this rare condition can prevent permanent injury to the liver and pancreas.

Immune checkpoint inhibitor-induced myasthenia gravis, myocarditis, and myositis: A case report.

Key Clinical Message: Immune checkpoint inhibitors can rarely lead to occurrence of myositis, myocarditis, and myasthenia gravis (MG). Early recognition and multidisciplinary management are crucial for optimal outcomes. Vigilance for overlapping toxicities is essential in patients receiving combination immunotherapy. Abstract: The use of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) has revolutionized cancer treatment, but it is associated with immune-related adverse events (IRAEs) affecting various organ systems. The simultaneous occurrence of MG, myocarditis, and myositis highlights the complex nature of IRAEs. Early recognition and comprehensive multidisciplinary management are crucial for optimal patient outcomes. We present a unique case report of a 76-year-old male patient with advanced melanoma who developed concurrent myositis, myocarditis, and MG while receiving combination immunotherapy with Nivolumab and Ipilimumab. This case underscores the significance of recognizing and addressing the "Terrible Triad" of IRAEs in patients receiving ICIs. Healthcare providers should maintain a high index of suspicion for overlapping toxicities and promptly initiate appropriate interventions.

Gastrointestinal Amyloidosis as a Cause of Anemia: Rare and Rarely Considered.

Gastrointestinal involvement in amyloidosis is reported in 3% of cases, mostly associated with multiple myeloma. An elderly man with chronic kidney disease presented to the hospital after a large melenic bowel movement. The patient was tachycardic and anemic to 3.8 g/dL on admission and was transfused blood. Endoscopy and colonoscopy were unremarkable. Subsequently, the patient had 2 more admissions for severe anemia requiring blood transfusion. Repeat esophagoduodenoscopy with capsule endoscopy were unremarkable. The patient was diagnosed with monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance by hemoglobin electrophoresis, and endoscopy biopsy revealed intestinal amyloidosis in a duodenal specimen. The patient's recurrent anemia was attributed to bleeding from gastrointestinal amyloidosis, in the absence of other identifiable sources of anemia, and was managed with intravenous iron infusions.

Misleading Presentation: Chest Pain Masking Euglycemic Diabetic Ketoacidosis Possibly Induced by Empagliflozin.

Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is a life-threatening metabolic emergency traditionally associated with Type 1 diabetes but is increasingly recognized in Type 2 diabetes, particularly with the use of sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT-2) inhibitors. Euglycemic DKA, characterized by near-normal blood glucose levels, is a distinct variant that has gained attention. This case report highlights a unique presentation of euglycemic DKA in a 56-year-old female with a past medical history of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus who presented to the emergency department with a one-week history of chest pain.