Short-term use of "ECMELLA" in the context of fulminant eosinophilic myocarditis with cardiogenic shock.

BACKGROUND: Eosinophilic myocarditis (EM) is a rare form of myocarditis. Clinical presentation is various, includes cardiogenic shock and can often be fatal. Diagnosis is based on myocardial eosinophilic infiltration in endomyocardial biopsy. Mechanical circulatory support (MCS) is often required in patients suffering from severe cardiogenic shock. Among the available MCS options the "ECMELLA" concept, a combination of left ventricular venting by Impella® device and extracorporeal life support (ECLS) is possibly able to provide the necessary time frame for diagnostics and initiation of anti-inflammatory medication in patients with fulminant myocarditis. CASE PRESENTATION: We report a case of a 38-year-old woman who was presented to us in severe cardiogenic shock, quickly requiring hemodynamic support by an Impella CP® device. Further dramatic hemodynamic deterioration accompanied by multi-organ dysfunction required escalation of MCS via ECLS as veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO). After histopathological diagnosis of EM, our patient was put on immunosuppressive therapy with prednisolone. Recovery of both right and left ventricular function allowed explanation of VA-ECMO on day 4 and further hemodynamic improvement allowed removal of the Impella® device on day 9. The patient was discharged after 7 weeks with fully restored cardiac function and in a good neurological state. CONCLUSIONS: In severe cardiac shock due to fulminant EM the ECMELLA concept as bridge-to-recovery seems to be a valid option to provide the required time for diagnostics and specific therapy.

Cardiac Arrest and Successful Extracorporeal Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation as a Result of a Refeeding Syndrome in a Young Female with Anorexia Nervosa.

Anorexia nervosa is a potentially life-threatening eating disorder, characterized by an abnormally low body weight. This case report illustrates a 22-year old female with cardiac arrest due to a refeeding syndrome in a patient with anorexia nervosa. It features the successful use of extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation in a case of severe left ventricular dysfunction resulting in a favorable outcome. Conclusion. We present the first case of a cardiac arrest due to a refeeding syndrome in anorexia nervosa featuring the successful use of an extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation approach as a bridge to full recovery.

Corrective Operation in an Intramyocardial Dissecting Hemorrhage After Subacute Anterior Myocardial Infarction.

Intramyocardial dissecting hemorrhage is a very rare and potentially lethal complication of myocardial infarction. The diagnosis is typically made by echocardiography, by cardiac magnetic resonance imaging, at operation, or during postmortem examination. Medical treatment is most often associated with high mortality, and surgical treatment is required. We report a 53-year old man admitted to the urology department with a large left-sided kidney infarction. A subacute myocardial infarction by electrocardiogram, elevated troponin T level, and typical clinical signs of an acute coronary syndrome 5 days and 2 weeks before admission were also evident. Intramyocardial dissecting hemorrhage with an adjacent thrombotic formation was suspected by echocardiography and cardiac computed tomography and confirmed by magnetic resonance imaging. The patient underwent successful surgical correction and was discharged in good clinical condition.

MitraClip implantation after acute ischemic papillary muscle rupture in a patient with prolonged cardiogenic shock.

Papillary muscle rupture is a rare but potentially lethal complication of acute myocardial infarction. We report a 77-year-old man who presented to the emergency department with dyspnea and nausea and acute onset of severe back pain 3 days earlier. Owing to rapid deterioration of his hemodynamic and respiratory situation, the patient was immediately transferred to the intensive care unit. Intubation and catecholamine support became necessary to stabilize hemodynamics. Echocardiography revealed severe mitral regurgitation due to a complete rupture of the posterior papillary muscle. Despite treatment extension to intraaortic balloon counterpulsation, the patient continued to be in cardiogenic shock. Because the patient was rejected for surgical intervention, he underwent successful emergency MitraClip (Abbott Vascular, Santa Clara, CA) implantation and was discharged from hospital in good clinical condition. This report suggests that MitraClip implantation is a safe and effective alternative treatment option in this devastating disorder.

Differential diagnosis of a fulminant myocarditis: the pheochromocytoma crisis.

Concurring left ventricular dysfunction, pulmonary edema and febrile temperature in otherwise healthy young individuals often constitutes the clinical presentation of a fulminant myocarditis. Nevertheless, the pheochromocytoma crisis (PCC) can mimic this very cluster of symptoms, camouflaging its disclosure. We describe a dramatic case of pheochromocytoma crisis mimicking fulminant myocarditis.

Cardiac arrest and successful resuscitation in a patient with Tako-Tsubo Cardiomyopathy.

Tako-Tsubo Cardiomyopathy (TTC) is described as transient left ventricular (LV) dysfunction without coronary artery stenoses. Typically the onset of TTC-syndrome is following emotional or physical stress. As an acute cardiac syndrome it is mimicking ST-elevation myocardial infarction. In this case we report from a 73-year old woman presenting with cardiac arrest after a long-distance bus-tour, and ongoing resuscitation to our ICU. Advanced life support with temporary ventricular pacing was continued until onset of stable spontaneous circulation. Left ventricular angiography revealed normal coronary arteries and the typical apical ballooning phenomenon. Echocardiographic findings resolved completely within 10 days. The patient survived, achieved good cerebral recovery (CPC 1) and was alert and fully oriented on discharge after 18 days.