Cardiac Tamponade in Down's Syndrome Associated With Hypothyroidism: An Uncommon Presentation.

Down syndrome often coincides with hypothyroidism, a condition that may lead to pericardial effusion (PE), though cardiac tamponade remains an infrequent complication. Cardiac tamponade is an emergency that requires immediate diagnosis and treatment. Here, we present a case of a patient who presented to the emergency department (ED) with Down syndrome associated with hypothyroidism and underwent immediate pericardiocentesis and pericardial window placement. A 52-year-old male, with a history of Down's syndrome and hypothyroidism, presented to the ED complaining of shortness of breath and chest pain. He had previously been diagnosed with PE. On examination, he exhibited average heart rate, low blood pressure, decreased heart sounds, and jugular venous distention, with no murmur or frictional rub. Initial investigations revealed normal sinus rhythm on EKG but an enlarged cardiac silhouette on chest X-ray. Laboratory tests showed elevated C-reactive protein and sedimentation rate, suggestive of inflammation, while arterial blood gas showed compensated respiratory alkalosis. Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) was elevated. Despite supplemental oxygen, the patient's condition worsened, prompting a bedside ultrasound revealing cardiac tamponade. A cardiology consultation recommended immediate transfer for treatment. At a different hospital, pericardiocentesis was performed, followed by the placement of a pericardial window to prevent recurrence. Follow-up imaging showed improvement in pleural effusion and resolution of cardiac tamponade. The patient's symptoms improved, and he was discharged with regular follow-up. Down's syndrome is a chromosomal disorder characterized by the trisomy of chromosome 21. It is associated with various cardiac complications. Such patients have an elevated risk of PE due to a variety of reasons, such as viral infections, hypothyroidism, or autoimmune diseases. Although PE has been found, the incidence of cardiac tamponade has rarely been reported. The pathogenesis of PE in hypothyroidism is due to the leakage of fluids from the capillaries and the build-up of fluid in the pericardial space. The treatment of PE is treating hypothyroidism with thyroxine. In rare cases like ours, when the patient develops cardiac tamponade, the patient often needs pericardiocentesis. Our patient had to undergo pericardial window placement, as well to prevent recurrent symptoms. In conclusion, this case report sheds light on the occurrence of cardiac tamponade in a patient with Down's syndrome and hypothyroidism, a relatively rare complication that necessitates prompt recognition and intervention. Through this report, we emphasize the importance of considering cardiac tamponade in the differential diagnosis of patients with Down's syndrome presenting with symptoms suggestive of cardiovascular compromise.

A Step towards understanding coronary artery disease: a complication in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.

BACKGROUND: Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a relatively rare disease with increasing incidence trends. Cardiovascular disease is a significant complication in IPF patients due to the role of common proatherogenic immune mediators. The prevalence of coronary artery disease (CAD) in IPF and the association between these distinct pathologies with overlapping pathophysiology remain less studied. RESEARCH QUESTION: We hypothesised that IPF is an independent risk factor for CAD. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective case-control study using the national inpatient sample (2017-2019). We included adult hospitalisations with IPF after excluding other interstitial lung diseases and other endpoints of CAD, acute coronary syndrome and old myocardial infarction. We examined their baseline characteristics, such as demographic data, hospital characteristics and socioeconomic status. The prevalence of cardiac risk factors and CAD was also compared between hospitalisations with and without IPF. Univariate and multivariate regression analysis was further performed to study the odds of CAD with IPF. The cases of IPF in the study population were propensity-matched, after which generalised linear modelling analysis was performed to validate the findings. RESULTS: A total of 116 010 admissions were hospitalised in 2017-2019 with IPF, of which 55.6% were men with a mean age of 73 years. Adult hospitalisations with IPF were found to have a higher prevalence of diabetes mellitus (29.3% vs 24.0%; p<0.001), hypertension (35.6% vs 33.8%; p<0.001), hyperlipidaemia (47.7% vs 30.2%; p<0.0001) and tobacco abuse (41.7% vs 20.9%; p<0.001), while they had a lower prevalence of obesity (11.7% vs 15.3%; p<0.0001) compared with hospitalisations without IPF. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed 28% higher odds of developing CAD in IPF hospitalisations (OR -1.28; CI 1.22 to 1.33; p<0.001). Postpropensity matching, generalised linear modelling analysis revealed even higher odds of CAD with IPF (OR -1.77; CI 1.54 to 2.02; p<0.001) CONCLUSIONS: Our study found a higher prevalence of CAD in IPF hospitalisations and significantly higher odds of CAD among IPF cases. IPF remains a terminal lung disease that portends a poor prognosis, but addressing the cardiovascular risk factors in these patients can help reduce the case fatality rate due to the latter and potentially add to quality-adjusted life years.

Prediabetes is an incremental risk factor for adverse cardiac events: A nationwide analysis.

Background and aims: Prediabetes is defined as a state of impaired glucose metabolism with hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) levels that precede those of a diabetic state. There is increasing evidence that suggests that hyperglycemic derangement in prediabetes leads to microvascular and macrovascular complications even before progression to overt diabetes mellitus. We aim to identify the association of prediabetes with acute cardiovascular events. Methods: We utilized the National inpatient sample 2018-2020 to identify adult hospitalizations with prediabetes after excluding all hospitalizations with diabetes. Demographics and prevalence of other cardiovascular risk factors were compared in hospitalizations with and without prediabetes using the chi-square test for categorical variables and the t-test for continuous variables. Multivariate regression analysis was further performed to study the impact of prediabetes on acute coronary syndrome, acute ischemic stroke, intracranial hemorrhage, and acute heart failure. Results: Hospitalizations with prediabetes had a higher prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors like hypertension, hyperlipidemia, obesity, and tobacco abuse. In addition, the adjusted analysis revealed that hospitalizations with prediabetes were associated with higher odds of developing acute coronary syndrome (OR-2.01; C.I:1.94-2.08; P<0.001), acute ischemic stroke (OR-2.21; 2.11-2.31; p<0.001), and acute heart failure (OR-1.41; C.I.: 1.29-1.55; p<0.001) as compared to hospitalizations without prediabetes. Conclusions: Our study suggests that prediabetes is associated with a higher odds of major cardiovascular events. Further prospective studies should be conducted to identify prediabetes as an independent causative factor for these events. In addition, screening and lifestyle modifications for prediabetics should be encouraged to improve patient outcomes.

Continuous Positive Airway Pressure vs Mandibular Advancement Devices in the Treatment of Obstructive Sleep Apnea: An Updated Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is the most common sleep-related breathing disorder which has various treatment options, however, continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) remains the gold standard. The aim of this meta-analysis is to compare the current first-line treatment of OSA, i.e., the continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) with mandibular advancement devices (MADs) in mild to severe OSA. OBJECTIVE: This meta-analysis is a comparison of the efficacy of continuous positive airway pressure vs mandibular advancement devices in patients with mild to severe obstructive sleep apnea. The primary objective of the meta-analysis is to compare the efficacy of CPAP vs MADs in the treatment of OSA. This meta-analysis includes randomized control and cross-over studies that compare the efficacy of CPAP and MAD and outcomes are reported in terms of apnea-hypopnea index (AHI), lowest oxygen saturation, and Epworth sleepiness scale both pre- and post-treatment. DATA SOURCES AND STUDY SELECTION: A PubMed and Cochrane database search was conducted in May 2021 and study bibliographies were reviewed. Randomized clinical trials comparing the effect of CPAP and MAD on AHI, lowest oxygen saturation, and ESS in patients with obstructive sleep apnea were selected. Of the 436 studies initially identified, eight were selected for analysis after screening. The quantitative measures used for comparing the efficacy of CPAP and MAD were post-treatment apnea-hypopnea index (AHI), lowest oxygen saturation, and post-treatment Epworth score scale (ESS). DATA EXTRACTION AND SYNTHESIS:  A network of meta-analyses was performed using RevMan (Copenhagen, Denmark: Nordic Cochrane Center) where multivariate random-effects models were used to generate pooled estimates. Data were analyzed using generic inverse variance method and P < 0.05 is regarded as statistically significant. Combined summary statistics of standardized (STD) paired difference in mean for individual studies and combined studies was calculated. A chi-square-based test of homogeneity was performed and the inconsistency index (I2) statistic was determined. RESULTS: Compared the AHI, lowest oxygen saturation, and ESS from baseline to follow-up pre- and post-treatment in both CPAP and MAD groups; after the database search 436 records were identified, eight studies were included in the RCT, and three were RCT crossover studies. The duration of treatment varies in each group. AHI, ESS, and lowest oxygen saturation are calculated pre- and post-treatment. Compared with MAD, CPAP was associated with decrease in AHI with a mean difference of -5.83 (95% CI, -8.85, -2.81, P < 0.01). The lowest oxygen saturation was also decreased in CPAP group compared to MAD group with a mean difference of 0.72 (95% CI, 0.51, 0.94, P < 0.01). However, there was no statistically significant difference in ESS between CPAP and MAD group with a mean difference of 0.23 (95% CI, -0.24, 0.70, P = 0.34). The meta-analysis states that among patients with obstructive sleep apnea, both CPAP and MADs are effective in reducing the AHI and lowest oxygen saturation, however, no significant difference was found in ESS pre- and post-treatment. CONCLUSIONS: CPAP still remains the gold standard for the treatment of OSA and should continue to be recommended as a treatment for OSA. MAD can be used as adjunctive treatment or as a treatment for those who cannot readily access or do not prefer CPAP.

A Rarely Reported Case of Enterococcus faecalis Bacteremia Causing Infective Endocarditis and Osteomyelitis.

Infective endocarditis (IE) is an infection of the heart valves or endocardium, usually due to the spread of infection through the blood. It can cause a varied range of symptoms, from being asymptomatic to reduced heart function, valvular abnormalities, embolization, or death. Enterococci are usually present as normal gut flora but can also cause bacteremia, urinary tract infections, or IE, especially in the elderly population. The source of enterococcal spread in most of the cases is unidentifiable and sometimes associated with the genitourinary tract or damage to the gut mucosa due to trauma, malignancy, and infection, among others. Very few cases have been reported so far on Enterococcus faecalis (E. faecalis) endocarditis and even rarer for such cases complicated by osteomyelitis. Here, we describe the case of a 63-year-old male patient with a recent history of cardiac arrest, a percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy tube placement, and endotracheal tube placement. He presented with back pain and was found to have osteomyelitis on magnetic resonance imaging and aortic valve vegetations on transthoracic echocardiography (TTE). His blood cultures were positive for E. faecalis. Repeat TTE showed growth in the vegetation, and the patient underwent bioprosthetic aortic valve replacement.

Differential Effects of Cardiac Rehabilitation in Obese and Non-Obese Population.

Background Cardiac rehabilitation (CR) improves outcomes in patients with heart disease. We investigated the differences in outcomes of comprehensive phase II CR in obese and non-obese patients. Methods We performed a retrospective analysis of functional outcomes including metabolic equivalents (METS), heart rate (chronotropic competence - CC), and blood pressure response (BPR) in 178 patients undergoing CR based on underlying body mass index (BMI). Demographic and clinical variables were assessed for age, gender, race, smoking, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, diabetes mellitus, coronary artery disease, stroke, heart failure, medication use, and several sessions attended. Results Initial CC and METS were impaired in majority of patients attending CR, whereas BPR to exercise was mostly preserved. Significant improvement occurred in CC (non-obese: 0.71 ± 0.11 vs 0.76 ± 0.11, p < 0.001; obese: 0.72 ± 0.10 vs 0.75 ± 0.12, p = 0.0010) and METS (non-obese: 4.96 ± 1.98 vs 7.33 ± 2.94, p < 0.001; obese: 4.39 ± 1.81 vs 6.79 ± 3.34, p < 0.001). Post-CR obese patients were able to reach similar level of physical activity as non-obese patients (6.79 ± 3.34 vs 7.33 ± 2.94; p = 0.2). Improvement in BPR was only seen in non-obese patients (24.02 ± 20.07 vs 30.18 ± 21.93; p = 0.019). Improvement in functional variables occurred despite increase in BMI in non-obese (25.91 ± 2.85 vs 26.21 ± 2.96; p = 0.031), and there was no significant change in BMI in obese (35.30 ± 5.60 vs 34.93 ± 5.42; p > 0.05). Conclusion CR concurrently improves functional outcomes in both obese and non-obese patients despite no associated weight loss. The difference in BPR, however, is seen in only non-obese individuals. Future studies are needed to validate the role of weight-optimized CR protocols as a potential target for improving cardiac outcomes.

Bilateral Internal Carotid Artery Occlusion, an Unusual Clinical Entity in a Young Adult.

Bilateral internal carotid artery occlusion (BICAO) is a rare disease leading to serious cerebrovascular disease and complications including recurrent ischemic stroke or death. There are very few cases reported on BICAO, especially among young adults. The clinical presentation can range from asymptomatic to fatal ischemic stroke depending upon the presence of adequate collateral blood flow. Here we report a case of BICAO in a 31-year-old female who presented with intermittent left-sided hemiparesis for one day and was subsequently found to have complete occlusion of the bilateral intracranial internal carotid arteries on CT angiography (CTA). Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) brain showed sub-acute right middle cerebral artery (MCA), acute left middle cerebral artery, and anterior cerebral artery infarcts (ACA). Being outside the window for thrombolysis, she was successfully treated with balloon angioplasty of the left internal carotid artery (ICA) and started on dual antiplatelet therapy. The case illustrates the importance of evaluating for cerebrovascular disease when someone presents with stroke-like symptoms even in the young adult population, as prompt treatment can be lifesaving.

A Rare Case Report of ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction and Recurrent Chest Pain in Polyarteritis Nodosa.

Polyarteritis nodosa (PAN) is a type of vasculitis that mainly affects small and medium-sized blood vessels. The clinical presentation can be nonspecific as weight loss, abdominal pain, and hypertension, or fatal as myocardial infarction (MI) and bowel perforation depending upon the organ involved. Cardiac involvement of PAN usually manifests as congestive heart failure, aneurysms, or MIs and is mostly identified during postmortem studies of autopsied patients. Here, we report a case of anterior MI as a sequela of PAN in a 40-year-old female who was diagnosed with PAN two weeks before her MI. She presented with intermittent chest pain for one day. At the time of admission, an electrocardiogram revealed anterior MI, and she was subsequently found to have 95-99% stenosis of the proximal left anterior descending artery during cardiac catheterization. The patient was successfully treated with percutaneous coronary intervention and was started on dual antiplatelet therapy. Her treatment was continued with steroids and cyclophosphamide. The case illustrates the importance of recognizing MI as a sequela of PAN as timely treatment could be lifesaving.