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Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) diagnosis in patients with pre-existing left bundle branch block (LBBB) can be difficult. Undiagnosed or delayed diagnosis of AMI in these patients can put them at risk of having shock, mechanical complications, and death. We present a case of 77-year-old Caucasian male with a known LBBB and coronary artery bypass surgery for coronary artery disease who presented to the emergency department with a chief complaint of chest pain and shortness of breath. The patient had recurrent chest pain despite using aspirin, nitroglycerine, and morphine. An electrocardiogram (ECG) showed a new notch in the upslope of the R wave in leads I, AVL that indicated a positive Chapman's sign. Troponin levels were initially normal, but serial troponin showed elevated enzyme giving evidence of acute coronary syndrome (ACS). The patient was started on heparin drip and underwent subsequent coronary catheterization. Physicians should be aware of Chapman's sign on ECG in patients presenting with chest pain who have baseline LBBB as it might represent myocardial ischemia and warrant emergent treatment for ACS.
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Bloqueio de Ramo/diagnóstico por imagem , Cateterismo Cardíaco/métodos , Infarto do Miocárdio/diagnóstico por imagem , Idoso , Bloqueio de Ramo/fisiopatologia , Bloqueio de Ramo/terapia , Dor no Peito/diagnóstico por imagem , Dispneia , Eletrocardiografia , Humanos , Masculino , Infarto do Miocárdio/fisiopatologia , Infarto do Miocárdio/terapia , Resultado do TratamentoRESUMO
BACKGROUND: The radial artery (RA) is routinely used for both hemodynamic monitoring and for cardiac catheterization. Although cannulation of the RA is usually undertaken through manual palpation, ultrasound (US)-guided access has been advocated as a mean to increase cannulation success rates and to lower RA complications; however, the published data are mixed. We sought to evaluate the impact of US-guided RA access compared with palpation alone on first-pass success to access RA. METHODS AND RESULTS: Meta-analysis of 12 randomized controlled trials comparing US-guided with palpation-guided radial access in 2,432 adult participants was done. Hemodynamic monitoring was the most common reason for RA catheterization. Only 2 randomized controlled trials evaluated patients undergoing cardiac catheterization. Ultrasound-guided radial access was associated with increased first-attempt success rate (risk ratio [RR] 1.35, 95% CI 1.16-1.57]) and decreased failure rate (RR 0.52, 95% CI 0.32-0.87). There were no significant differences in the risk of hematoma (RR 0.43, 95% CI 0.27-1.06), the mean time to first successful attempt (mean difference 25.13 seconds, 95% CI -1.06 to 51.34) or to any successful attempt (mean difference -4.74 seconds; 95% CI -22.67 to 13.18) between both groups. CONCLUSIONS: Ultrasound-guided technique for RA access has higher first-attempt success and lower failure rate compared with palpation alone, with no significant differences in access site hematoma or time to a successful attempt. These findings support the routine use of US guidance for RA access.
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Cateterismo Periférico/métodos , Artéria Radial/diagnóstico por imagem , Adulto , Cateterismo Cardíaco/efeitos adversos , Cateterismo Cardíaco/métodos , Cateterismo Periférico/efeitos adversos , Hematoma/etiologia , Hemodinâmica , Humanos , Monitorização Fisiológica/efeitos adversos , Monitorização Fisiológica/métodos , Palpação , Ensaios Clínicos Controlados Aleatórios como Assunto , UltrassonografiaRESUMO
Loperamide is an over-the-counter anti-diarrheal medication that is inexpensive, easily accessible, and widely used. It is generally thought to be safe and effective without the potential for abuse. However, recent discovery of its ability to treat opioid withdrawal symptoms at high doses has led to not only its abuse, but also the need to recognize its cardiotoxicity due to the ability to prolong the QTc interval. We report a case of a 33â¯year old female with a history of opioid dependence who presented to the emergency department with acute onset shortness of breath and generalized weakness who was subsequently found to be in ventricular tachycardia. Electrocardiogram showed prolongation of the QTc and the patient later admitted to ingestion of 70 loperamide pills daily for the past year in order to alleviate her opioid withdrawal symptoms. Due to increased loperamide abuse and toxicity displayed within the last several years, public and health provider awareness should be optimized to fully understand its lethality, and stricter regulations on its availability to the general population should be considered. Even in asymptomatic patients with ECG abnormalities, emergency medicine physicians should admit them for further monitoring and aggressive medical therapy.
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Antidiarreicos/efeitos adversos , Loperamida/efeitos adversos , Medicamentos sem Prescrição/efeitos adversos , Transtornos Relacionados ao Uso de Substâncias/complicações , Taquicardia Ventricular/induzido quimicamente , Adulto , Ecocardiografia , Eletrocardiografia , Feminino , Humanos , Transtornos Relacionados ao Uso de Opioides/complicações , Taquicardia Ventricular/fisiopatologiaAssuntos
Neoplasias Cardíacas , Histiocitoma Fibroso Maligno , Neoplasias Cardíacas/diagnóstico por imagem , Neoplasias Cardíacas/patologia , Histiocitoma Fibroso Maligno/diagnóstico por imagem , Histiocitoma Fibroso Maligno/patologia , Humanos , Achados Incidentais , Valva Mitral/diagnóstico por imagem , Valva Mitral/patologiaRESUMO
BACKGROUND: Little research addresses how medical students develop their choice of specialty training in crisis and resource-poor settings. The newly graduated medical students determine the future of the healthcare system. This study aims to elucidate the factors influencing Syrian medical students' specialty selection and students' intentions to study abroad. METHODS: A cross-sectional study carried out at the universities of Damascus, Al-Kalamoon and the Syrian Private University in Syria using self-administered questionnaire to investigate medical students' specialty preferences and plans for career future. The questionnaire included questions about students' demographic and educational characteristics, intention to train abroad, the chosen country for training. RESULTS: Randomly selected 450 students completed the questionnaire. The two most common specialties selected were general surgery (27.6%) and internal medicine (23.5%). The most influencing factors on their decision were 'flexibility of specialty' (74.8%) and 'Better work opportunities after specializing' (69.1%). Most participants stated that they are interested in specializing abroad outside Syria (78.7%). The two most common countries of choice were Germany (35.5%) and the United States of America (24.6%). Acquiring a visa to the foreign country was the most common obstacle of specializing abroad (n = 186, 53.6%). Male gender, having a previous clinical training abroad, and having friends or relatives living abroad were significant factors in predicting students' interest in specializing abroad. CONCLUSION: Internal medicine and surgery are the most reported specialties of choice in this study and most of the participants reported intentions to study abroad. Their specialty preferences are influenced by both familiar epidemiological and war-driven factors. These data can be useful to design further cohort study to understand the war-related affecting factors on students' plans for their career in the effort of improving the balance of healthcare system in Syria.
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Escolha da Profissão , Intenção , Especialização , Estudantes de Medicina , Estudos de Coortes , Estudos Transversais , Feminino , Cirurgia Geral , Alemanha , Humanos , Medicina Interna , Masculino , Faculdades de Medicina , Fatores Sexuais , Inquéritos e Questionários , Síria , Estados Unidos , Adulto JovemRESUMO
BACKGROUND: The ongoing Syrian war has resulted in many changes in the social and economic life of Syrians. To date, no study has documented the relationship between smoking behaviour and the war. AIM: To determine the prevalence of cigarette smoking among university students during the crisis in Damascus, Syrian Arab Republic, and the impact of the war on smoking behaviour. METHODS: We conducted an anonymous online cross-sectional survey of 1027 undergraduate students from all years and colleges at Damascus University. RESULTS: The overall prevalence of tobacco smoking was 24.73% for cigarettes and 30.4% for waterpipe. Prevalence of cigarette smoking was significantly higher in men, non-health profession students, and in students living away from their families. There was no significant difference in prevalence of smoking cigarettes when comparing students according to their origin (urban vs rural), year of study, and change of residence due to war. War was associated with a significant increase in mean number of cigarettes smoked daily, and 53.1% of smokers reported that the number of cigarettes consumed per day had increased since the beginning of the war. CONCLUSIONS: Increased smoking is an additional health concern in areas of conflict and may require special consideration and efforts by public health authorities.
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Fumar/epidemiologia , Estudantes/estatística & dados numéricos , Universidades/estatística & dados numéricos , Adolescente , Adulto , Conflitos Armados/estatística & dados numéricos , Estudos Transversais , Feminino , Humanos , Masculino , Características de Residência , Fatores Sexuais , Síria/epidemiologia , Fumar Cachimbo de Água , Adulto JovemRESUMO
Balloon aortic valvuloplasty (BAV) has been increasingly used to medically optimize patients with severe aortic stenosis prior to surgical or transcatheter aortic valve replacement, as a bridge to palliative therapy, or as palliative therapy. BAV traditionally requires large vascular sheaths to allow for sizable valvuloplasty balloons. Herein, we report a case of a patient who received BAV as a bridge to gastric surgery to facilitate weight loss as a bridge to transcatheter aortic valve replacement. BAV was successfully completed via a biradial approach.
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BACKGROUND: Radial artery (RA) catheterization is the access of choice over femoral artery access for most interventional vascular procedures given its safety and faster patient recovery. There has been growing interest in distal radial artery (dRA) access as an alternative to the conventional proximal radial artery (pRA) access. Preserving the RA is important which serves as a potential conduit for future coronary artery bypass surgery, dialysis conduit or preserve the artery for future cardiovascular procedures. The dRA runs in close proximity to the radial nerve, which raises the concern of potential detrimental effects on hand function. STUDY DESIGN: The Distal versus Proximal Radial Artery Access for cardiac catheterization and intervention (DIPRA) trial is a prospective, randomized, parallel-controlled, open-label, single center study evaluating the outcomes of hand function and effectiveness of dRA compared to pRA access in patients undergoing cardiac catheterization. The eligible subjects will be randomized to dRA and pRA access in a (1:1) fashion. The primary end point is an evaluation of hand function at one and twelve months follow-up. Secondary end points include rates of access site hematoma, access site bleeding, other vascular access complications, arterial access success rate, and RA occlusion at one and twelve months follow up. CONCLUSION: Effects of dRA on hand function remains unknown and it's use questionable in the presence of a widely accepted pRA. DIPRA trial is designed to determine the safety and effectiveness of dRA for diagnostic and interventional cardiovascular procedures compared to the standard of care pRA.
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Cateterismo Periférico , Intervenção Coronária Percutânea , Cateterismo Cardíaco/efeitos adversos , Cateterismo Cardíaco/métodos , Cateterismo Periférico/efeitos adversos , Angiografia Coronária/métodos , Ponte de Artéria Coronária , Humanos , Intervenção Coronária Percutânea/efeitos adversos , Estudos Prospectivos , Artéria Radial/diagnóstico por imagem , Resultado do TratamentoRESUMO
BACKGROUND AND HYPOTHESIS: The initial assessment of late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) on cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR) reflects cardiac damage and is an important prognostic factor in patients with acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). N-Terminal prohormone of brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) is released following cardiomyocytes injury. However, the relationship between NT-proBNP levels, myocardial damage and clinical outcomes after STEMI has not been well defined. METHODS: Plasma levels of NT-proBNP, troponin I and creatinine kinase (CK) were assessed in 75 patients with STEMI. Echocardiography and CMR were performed prior to hospital discharge. Cardiac damage was quantified using peak biomarker levels and LGE. Patients were followed for a median of 975 days (IQR 823-1098 days) for major adverse cardiac events (MACE) (all-cause mortality, recurrent myocardial infraction, unplanned recurrent revascularization and recurrent hospitalization for heart failure). RESULTS: Plasma levels of NT-proBNP increased following STEMI to peak at 24 hours. The dynamic changes in plasma NT-proBNP were similar to those noted with troponin I and its delayed peak but not those observed with plasma CK levels. Peak NT-proBNP levels correlated positively with indices of myocardial damage such as peak troponin I (R2 =0.38, P <0.001), peak CK (R2 =0.22, P = 0.01) and LGE examination (R2 = 0.46, P <0.001). Peak plasma level of NT- proBNP was strongly predictive of MACE during the follow-up period. CONCLUSIONS: Peak levels of NT-proBNP following STEMI are predictive of the extent of myocardial damage and clinical outcomes. These results suggest an important prognostic role for NT-proBNP assessment in STEMI patients.
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Takotsubo cardiomyopathy predominantly occurs in women, with a high incidence in patients with psychiatric diseases. We present a 64-year-old white woman with an acute manic episode complicated by rhabdomyolysis and takotsubo cardiomyopathy.
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Life expectancy in the United States has increased due to advances in health care. Despite increased utilization of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), octogenarian patients are less likely to be referred to the catheterization laboratory for coronary interventions. This is in part due to multiple patient co-morbidities and lack of established guidelines. We examined in-hospital clinical outcomes of octogenarian and nonoctogenarian patients who underwent PCI in the United States. Using the National Inpatient Sampling database, we identified all adult patients who are older than 18 years and underwent PCI. Patient were stratified by age into 2 groups, ≥80 years old and <80 years old and in-hospital adverse outcome rates were determined. A total of 11,056,559 patients underwent PCI between the years of 2002 and 2014 and 1,544,563 patients were ≥80 years old (14%). After multivariable adjustment, patients who are ≥80 years old had higher in-hospital mortality (3.3% vs 1.3%, adjusted Odds Ratio, 1.624; 95% confidence interval, 1.602 to 1.647, p <0.0001) and longer length of stay (median length of stay days 3, range 2 to 8 days vs median 2 days, range 1 to 4 days) (p <0.0001). Patients ≥80 years old had a higher rate of cardiopulmonary complications, postprocedural stroke, acute kidney injury, postprocedural thromboembolic complications, and hemorrhage requiring transfusion. There was no difference in vascular complications between the 2 groups. In conclusion, octogenarians who underwent PCI were at increased risk for in-hospital mortality and morbidity compared with nonoctogenarians. The decision to proceed with PCI in this patient population should be individualized, taking into consideration known risk factors and patient's wishes.
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Doença da Artéria Coronariana/cirurgia , Previsões , Intervenção Coronária Percutânea/efeitos adversos , Complicações Pós-Operatórias/epidemiologia , Medição de Risco/métodos , Fatores Etários , Idoso , Idoso de 80 Anos ou mais , Feminino , Seguimentos , Mortalidade Hospitalar/tendências , Humanos , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Estudos Retrospectivos , Fatores de Risco , Estados Unidos/epidemiologiaRESUMO
Arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC) is a rare cardiovascular disease that predisposes to ventricular arrhythmias potentially leading to sudden cardiac death (SCD). ARVC varies considerably with multiple clinical presentations, ranging from no symptoms to cardiac arrhythmias to SCD. ARVC prevalence is not well known, but the estimated prevalence in the general population is 1:5000. Diagnosis of ARVC can be made by using the Revised European Society of Cardiology criteria for ARVC that includes ventricular structural and functional changes, ECG abnormalities, arrhythmias, family and genetic factors. The management of ARVC is focused on prevention of lethal events such as SCD. Implantable cardioverter defibrillator placement is the only proven mortality benefit in treatment of ARVC. Other treatment strategies include medications such as beta blockers and antiarrhythmics, radiofrequency ablation, surgery, cardiac transplantation, and lifestyle changes. All these interventions help in symptomatic treatment but none of them have proved to decrease mortality rates. ARVC is a progressive disease that leads to SCD if not treated appropriately. Management of these diseases has been a challenge for physicians. With the advent of technology and many new drugs/devices under clinical investigation, this might change in the future. However, while advances in technologies have helped elucidate many aspects of these diseases, many mysteries still remain of this unique disease. With continued research, we can expect more cost-effective and patient-friendly drug therapies and ablation techniques to be developed in the near future.
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A woman in her 90s presented to the emergency department with fever, hemoptysis, and syncopal episodes. An electrocardiogram showed monomorphic ventricular tachycardia with a morphology suggesting right ventricular (RV) origin. What would you do next?
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Taquicardia Ventricular , Feminino , Humanos , Idoso , Taquicardia Ventricular/diagnóstico , Taquicardia Ventricular/etiologia , Taquicardia Ventricular/terapia , Arritmias CardíacasRESUMO
BACKGROUND: Acute myocardial infarction (MI) and the ensuing ischemic heart disease are approaching epidemic state. Unfortunately, no definitive therapies are available and human regenerative therapies have conflicting results. Limited stem cell retention following intracoronary administration has reduced the clinical efficacy of this novel therapy. Cathelicidin related antimicrobial peptides (CRAMPs) enhance chemotactic responsiveness of BMSPCs to low SDF-1 gradients, suggesting a potential role in BMSPCs engraftment. Here, we assessed the therapeutic efficacy of CRAMPs in the context of BMSPCs recruitment and retention via intracardiac delivery of CRAMP-treated BMSPCs or CRAMP-releasing hydrogels (HG) post-AMI. METHODS: For cell transplantation experiments, mice were randomized into 3 groups: MI followed by injection of PBS, BMMNCs alone, and BMMNCs pre-incubated with CRAMP. During the in vivo HG studies, BM GFP chimera mice were randomized into 4 groups: MI followed by injection of HG alone, HG + SDF-1, HG + CRAMP, HG + SDF-1 + CRAMP. Changes in cardiac function at 5 weeks after MI were assessed using echocardiography. Angiogenesis was assessed using isolectin staining for capillary density. RESULTS: Mice treated with BMMNCs pre-incubated with CRAMP had smaller scars, enhanced cardiac recovery and less adverse remodeling. Histologically, this group had higher capillary density. Similarly, sustained CRAMP release from hydrogels enhanced the therapeutic effect of SDF-1, leading to enhanced functional recovery, smaller scar size and higher capillary density. CONCLUSION: Cathelicidins enhance BMMNC retention and recruitment after intramyocardial administration post-AMI resulting in improvements in heart physiology and recovery. Therapies employing these strategies may represent an attractive method for improving outcomes of regenerative therapies in human studies.
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Peptídeos Catiônicos Antimicrobianos/administração & dosagem , Transplante de Medula Óssea , Infarto do Miocárdio/terapia , Medicina Regenerativa , Animais , Peptídeos Catiônicos Antimicrobianos/metabolismo , Modelos Animais de Doenças , Humanos , Leucócitos Mononucleares/metabolismo , Leucócitos Mononucleares/transplante , Masculino , Camundongos , Infarto do Miocárdio/fisiopatologia , Retenção Psicológica/efeitos dos fármacos , CatelicidinasAssuntos
Estenose da Valva Aórtica , Implante de Prótese de Valva Cardíaca , Próteses Valvulares Cardíacas , Insuficiência da Valva Mitral , Substituição da Valva Aórtica Transcateter , Valva Aórtica/diagnóstico por imagem , Valva Aórtica/cirurgia , Estenose da Valva Aórtica/cirurgia , Cálcio , Humanos , Insuficiência da Valva Mitral/cirurgia , Resultado do TratamentoRESUMO
BACKGROUND: Subclavian artery stenosis (SAS) is narrowing of the subclavian artery most commonly caused by atherosclerosis. It serves as a marker for cerebrovascular and myocardial ischemic events. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was conducted to determine the association of treatment via combination therapy (antiplatelet drug plus either by-pass surgery or percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) with or without stent implantation) versus antiplatelet drug therapy alone on cardiovascular events and all-cause mortality in Marshfield Clinic patients diagnosed with symptomatic SAS from January 1, 1995 to December 31, 2009. RESULTS: Of the total 2153 cases, 100 patients were identified as eligible to be included in the study. Of these 100 patients that met inclusion criteria, 30 underwent combination therapy while 70 were managed only with drug treatment. A median length of follow-up was 8.45 years. Adverse cardiovascular events occurred in 5/30 (17%) of combination therapy patients compared to 28/70 (40%) of antiplatelet drug therapy only patients (p = 0.0355). Accordingly, all-cause mortality was higher (47%) in the antiplatelet drug therapy only group than the combination therapy group (13%) [hazard ratio = 3.45, p = 0.0218]. CONCLUSIONS: Preliminary findings in this pilot data set suggest that combination therapy (medications plus either surgical or interventional repair) of subclavian artery stenosis is associated with less cardiovascular adverse events and higher survival rates. However, prospective randomized studies with larger number of patients are needed to validate these findings.
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Uninvestigated dyspepsia (UD), irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) are common disorders universally. Many studies have assessed their epidemiological characteristics around the world. However, such information is not known for Syria. We aim to estimate the epidemiologic characteristics and possible risk factors for UD, IBS, and GERD among students at Damascus University, Damascus, Syria. A cross-sectional study was conducted in July-September 2015 at a campus of Damascus University. A total of 320 students were randomly asked to complete the survey. We used ROME III criteria to define UD and IBS, and Montreal definition for GERD. In total, 302 valid participants were included in the analysis. Prevalence for UD, IBS, and GERD was 25%, 17%, and 16%, respectively. Symptom overlap was present in 46 students (15%), with UD+IBS in 28 (9.3%), UD+GERD in 26 (8.6%), and IBS+GERD in 14 (4.6%) students. Eleven (3.6%) students had symptoms of UD+IBS+GERD. Each of these overlaps occurred more frequently than expected by chance. Significant risk factors included cigarettes smoking, waterpipe consumption, and body mass index <18.5kg/m2 for UD; female gender and three cups of coffee/d for IBS; and two cups of tea and one to five cigarettes/d for GERD. Risk factors for these disorders remain poorly characterized and need further investigations.