An Unusual Case of Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy with Cardiac Arrest: The Importance of Clinical Context in Implanted Cardioverter Defibrillator Candidacy.

Takotsubo syndrome (TTS), also known as stress-induced cardiomyopathy, is characterized by acute heart failure, reversible left ventricular dysfunction, and other complications such as life-threatening arrhythmias. The management of TTS is challenging due to its unpredictable clinical course and the lack of evidence-based treatment recommendations. In this case report, we present a 71-year-old female who developed TTS with ventricular tachycardia (VT) cardiac arrest following septic shock and an exploratory laparotomy for appendicitis. Despite the presence of VT cardiac arrest and a left ventricular ejection fraction of 30-35%, an implanted cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) was not indicated due to the rapid and satisfactory recovery of the patient's ventricular function. This case highlights the importance of considering the clinical context and the transient nature of TTS in the decision-making process for ICD candidacy.

Right Atrial and Endocardial Lead Mass Secondary to Anterior Mediastinal Mass Encasing Left Subclavian Vein.

INTRODUCTION: Multimodality cardiac imaging is a valuable tool for the noninvasive evaluation of right atrial masses (tumor, vegetation, or thrombus). CASE PRESENTATION: We report a case of right atrial mass that was discovered on a transthoracic echocardiogram ordered for pacemaker-pocket erythema in a 101-year-old man with heart failure/reduced left-ventricular ejection fraction and a dual-chamber pacemaker. Transthoracic and transesophageal echocardiogram showed a large hypoechoic mobile RA mass extending from the superior vena cava, with pacemaker device lead attachment. Infective endocarditis was excluded (no symptoms of systemic infection; negative blood cultures). CT angiography of the chest revealed an anterior mediastinal mass, highly suspicious for malignancy, encasing the left subclavian vein. The patient chose not to pursue invasive assessment of the mediastinal mass. Role of anticoagulation is unclear. CONCLUSION: Computed tomography complemented echocardiographic assessment and management of a right atrial mobile echo density due to a large anterior mediastinal mass.

Transient Complete Atrioventricular Block Associated With Herbal Supplement Use.

INTRODUCTION: Increasing and easy availability of so-called natural/herbal supplements pose the unique challenge of identifying associated side effects, including arrhythmias in otherwise-healthy individuals. CASE PRESENTATION: A 25-year-old female patient presented to the emergency department with fatigue and lightheadedness. The electrocardiogram showed complete AV block with a junctional escape rhythm at 55 beats per minute with QT prolongation (542ms). One week ago, she started to use a herbal medication (Muscle Eze Advanced) for muscle cramps after workouts. Extensive cardiac testing, including complete blood count, complete metabolic panel, TSH, transthoracic echocardiography, urine drug analysis, Lyme antibody were negative. Normal sinus rhythm was restored spontaneously within 1 day of discontinuing the herbal medication. PR and corrected QT intervals returned to baseline over the next two weeks. CONCLUSION: Muscle Eze Advanced consists of seven ingredients, including Melissa officinalis and Valeriana officinalis that have negative chronotropic, negative dromotrophic and QT prolonging effects. Recognizing the association between certain over-the-counter supplements and brady-arrhythmias may circumvent need for permanent pacemakers - an important consideration especially in the young.

Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction: Concise Review.

Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) is a highly prevalent disease, causing a significant burden to the elderly population. Due to the inconsistencies in the standard definition and criteria for diagnosis, HFpEF is often underdiagnosed and left untreated. Although diastolic dysfunction is one of the key driving factors of the disease process, other factors like systolic limitations, endothelial dysfunction, arterial stiffness, and poor ventricular-arterial coupling are also contributing factors. While various treatment modalities have been investigated, the management continues to remain supportive. This review highlights the various American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association and European Society of Cardiology definitions, pathophysiology, and current treatment modalities available for HFpEF.

Delayed Presentation of Inferior STEMI Complicated by Ventricular Septal Rupture: An Indirect Consequence of the COVID-19 Pandemic.

The COVID-19 pandemic has adversely impacted healthcare delivery. An indirect consequence of the rational fear of contracting the virus is delayed medical attention for life threatening conditions. We present the case of inferior ST elevation myocardial infarction leading to the rare complication of a ventricular septal rupture reflecting transmural infarction. COVID hesitancy caused a 48-hour delay in seeking medical attention after symptom onset. We also discuss the use of MRI to guide decision for timing of VSD repair in an otherwise asymptomatic patient post-revascularization.

Segmental Coronary Vasospasm Mimicking ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction in an Incidentally COVID-Positive Patient.

Coronary vasospasm is an underdiagnosed cause of myocardial infarction in the absence of obstructive coronary artery disease. Systemic inflammation is one of several triggers associated with coronary vasospasm. We report the case of a 47-year woman incidentally found to be COVID-positive (RT-PCR) during evaluation of constitutional symptoms and breast cellulitis. Later in the hospitalization, she developed sudden-onset typical angina at rest; 12 lead EKG showed inferolateral ST-elevations. Urgent coronary angiogram showed nitrate-responsive subtotal focal occlusions in the right coronary and circumflex arteries. In the absence of sepsis, it is difficult to attribute coronary vasospasm solely to cellulitis. Focal coronary artery spasm mimicking ST-elevation myocardial infarction successfully managed solely with intracoronary nitroglycerine in an incidentally COVID-positive patient adds to the diverse manifestations of COVID infection. The exact mechanism of focal, as opposed to diffuse coronary vasospasm is unclear.

Index Case of COVID-19 Myocarditis Requiring BiV-ICD for Primary Prevention of Sudden Cardiac Death.

INTRODUCTION: The severity of clinical presentation of COVID-19 myocarditis ranges from incidental identification of depressed left ventricular ejection fraction, cardiogenic shock requiring percutaneous mechanical circulatory support, to fatal fulminant myocarditis. In previously reported cases, surviving patients experienced improvement in left ventricular ejection fraction with the use of glucocorticoids and antivirals (+/- intravenous immunoglobulin/ convalescent plasma). We report the first case of COVID-myocarditis in a surviving patient where a persistently depressed left ventricular ejection fraction (less than 35 percent) despite optimal therapy prompted implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) implantation for primary prevention of sudden cardiac death. CASE PRESENTATION: A previously healthy 67-year-old man, diagnosed with mild COVID-19 pneumonia five days prior, presented to the emergency department with suspected STEMI (hypoxia, substernal chest pain and known left bundle branch block). Left heart catheterization showed patent coronary arteries. Transthoracic echocardiogram showed severely depressed ejection fraction (15-20 percent). CT showed bilateral infiltrates: treatment was started with dexamethasone, remdesivir and convalescent plasma for acute hypoxic respiratory failure due to COVID-19 pneumonia. After a four-day hospitalization, guideline-directed medical therapy at maximum tolerated doses over three months did not improve left ventricular ejection fraction. CONCLUSION: This is the index case of COVID-19 myocarditis-mediated heart failure with reduced ejection fraction requiring ICD for primary prevention of sudden cardiac death.

Comparison of the clinical presentations of Naegleria fowleri primary amoebic meningoencephalitis with pneumococcal meningitis: a case-control study.

BACKGROUND: Primary amoebic meningoencephalitis (PAM) is a rare but fatal infection caused by Naegleria fowleri. The infection is acquired by deep nasal irrigation with infected water. Patients present with signs and symptoms similar to pneumococcal meningitis, leading to delayed diagnosis and treatment and hence high mortality. METHODS: We conducted a case-control study comparing culture proven cases of PAM with pneumococcal meningitis presenting to our center between April 2008 and September 2014. Only patients with blood and/or cerebrospinal fluid cultures positive for Streptococcus pneumoniae during the same time period were included for comparison. RESULTS: There were 19 cases of PAM and pneumococcal meningitis, each. When comparing PAM with pneumococcal meningitis, patients with PAM were more likely to be male (89.5 vs. 36.8 %), younger (mean age: 30 vs. 59 years), present with seizures (42.1 vs. 5.3 %). Both groups of patients presented with similar vital signs and there were no remarkable differences on physical examinations, Glasgow Coma Scale scores, laboratory and radiological investigations and cerebrospinal fluid parameters. PAM was also more likely to present if the city's average maximum temperature was higher in the previous week (mean: 34.6 vs. 30 °C). There was history of fresh water contact in only one patient. On multivariate analysis, PAM was more likely if patients presented when the city's average maximum temperature was high, being young males. CONCLUSION: PAM and pneumococcal meningitis remain virtually indistinguishable; however, these predictive features should be validated in a prospective study and may lead to a viable algorithm for early management of these patients.

Bedside Carotid Sinus Massage for Syncope Evaluation With Bifascicular Block and First-Degree Atrioventricular Block.

Symptomatic bifascicular block (BFB) with a reversible high-grade atrioventricular block (AVB) is an overlooked cause of syncope with differing diagnostic and therapeutic approaches. We present a case of a 79-year-old gentleman with multiple episodes of cardiac syncope. Initial electrocardiogram revealed a left bundle branch block and first-degree AVB worsened by bedside carotid sinus massage (CSM) obviating the need for electrophysiologic (EP) studies or continuous electrocardiographic monitoring for further evaluation. This case highlights the importance of CSM as a useful clinical tool in addition to EP studies and internal loop recorder (ILR) placement for assessment and appropriateness of permanent pacemaker (PPM) implantation. It also sheds light on the differing management protocols between EP studies and ILR evaluation versus empiric PPM implantation for patients with cardiac syncope secondary to BFB and AVB.

Relapse of colchicine-intolerant, corticosteroid-dependent recurrent idiopathic pericarditis after perigestational discontinuation of anakinra: uncertain safety of anakinra in pregnancy and the need for shared decision-making.

A nulligravid woman in her mid-20s with colchicine-intolerant, steroid-dependent recurrent idiopathic pericarditis was in remission for 2 years on anakinra monotherapy when she had an unplanned pregnancy. Due to very limited and conflicting data, European Alliance of Associations for Rheumatology and American College of Rheumatology guidelines are equivocal on the use of anakinra in pregnancy, emphasising an individualised approach. Anakinra was discontinued but a month later, in the second month of gestation, the patient had an acute pericarditis flare. A multidisciplinary, patient-centred discussion about the competing risks of infection, obstetric complications and fetal malformations with anakinra versus suboptimally managed recurrent acute pericarditis guided the patient to choosing improved symptom control. Chest pain resolved and CRP normalised after daily anakinra injections were resumed. In the second trimester, the patient had mild COVID-19 infection and streptococcal pharyngitis on anakinra. At 34 weeks gestation, the patient went into preterm labour and had a spontaneous vaginal delivery of a healthy neonate.

Transcatheter tricuspid valve-in-valve implantation for very early bioprosthetic tricuspid stenosis secondary to pacemaker lead entrapment: a case report.

Background: Tricuspid stenosis (native and prosthetic) is rare. Redo-sternotomy for isolated tricuspid replacement is associated with a higher risk. The efficacy and durability of transcatheter valve implantation for severe tricuspid stenosis are unclear. Case summary: Successful tricuspid valve-in-valve implantation (Edwards 26 mm Ultra) was performed to exteriorize a retained, unextractable pacemaker lead causing very early surgical bioprosthetic valve dysfunction in a 66-year-old Caucasian woman. The original indication for surgical replacement was pacemaker lead-related severe tricuspid regurgitation. History of CABG and subsequent surgical replacement rendered the risk of a third sternotomy and open-heart surgery prohibitive. Conclusion: Successful reduction in the severity of bioprosthetic tricuspid stenosis and improvement of right heart failure with transcatheter valve-in-valve implantation was observed. Percutaneous tricuspid valve implantation could be considered an alternative to redo-sternotomy for severe bioprosthetic tricuspid stenosis.

Bifascicular block in unexplained syncope is underrecognized and under-evaluated: A single-center audit of ESC guidelines adherence.

BACKGROUND: The presence of bifascicular block on electrocardiography suggests that otherwise-unexplained syncope may be due to complete heart block. European Society of Cardiology (ESC) recommends investigating it with electrophysiology study (EPS). PPM is indicated if high-degree atrioventricular block is inducible. Long term rhythm monitoring with implantable loop recorder (ILR) is recommended if EPS is negative. We evaluated adherence to these guidelines. METHODS: This is a single-center retrospective audit of adult patients with bifascicular block hospitalized for unexplained syncope between January 2018 and August 2019 under general medicine service. Patients with an alternative explanation for syncope were excluded. Guideline adherence was assessed by formal cardiology consult and whether EPS followed by ILR and/or PPM were offered. RESULTS: 65 out of 580 adult patients (11.2%) admitted to general medicine service for syncope had a bifascicular block; 29 (5%) were identified to have bifascicular block and unexplained syncope. Median age was 77 ±10 years; 9 (31%) were female, and 6 (20.7%) patients had at least one prior hospital visit for syncope at our academic medical center. Cardiology was consulted on 17 (58.6%) patients. Two patients were evaluated by EPS (1 refused) followed by ILR. Overall, 3 out of 29 patients (10.3%) received guideline-directed evaluation during the hospitalization based on ESC guidelines. None of the patients received empiric PPM during the index hospitalization. CONCLUSION: Among patients admitted to the general medicine service with unexplained syncope and bifascicular block, a minority (10.3%) underwent guideline-directed evaluation per ESC recommendations. Cardiology was consulted in 58.6% of cases.

Complete Heart Block Causing Takotsubo Syndrome: A Case Report.

The association of complete atrioventricular (AV) block with Takotsubo syndrome (TTS) is well known, but the cause-and-effect relationship has not been determined. We present the case of a 91-year-old female with complete AV block who went untreated for over a year and later developed Takotsubo syndrome. Reversal of wall movement defects was seen after a permanent pacemaker was implanted, and routine follow-up showed that the implanted pacemaker worked normally.

Incidence and Outcomes of Acute Kidney Injury Requiring Renal Replacement Therapy in Patients on Percutaneous Mechanical Circulatory Support with Impella-CP for Cardiogenic Shock.

BACKGROUND: Acute kidney injury (AKI) complicating cardiogenic shock is associated with increased mortality. We hypothesize that renal replacement therapy (RRT) improves survival in cardiogenic shock supported by Impella-CP (Abiomed, Danvers, MA) complicated by AKI. METHODS: A retrospective chart review identified 34 patients on Impella-CP for cardiogenic shock between January 2015 and December 2017. AKI was defined as an increase in serum creatinine≥0.3 mg/dL from baseline. Three groups were analyzed: AKI plus RRT, AKI minus RRT, and no AKI. Pre-existing dialysis patients were excluded. The only indication for RRT was AKI not responding to diuretics. Thirty-day mortality was analyzed. RESULTS: There were 13 patients with no AKI, 9 with AKI plus RRT groups, and 12 with AKI minus RRT. Thirty-day mortality was similar between no AKI and AKI plus RRT groups [30.8% (4/13) vs.22.2% (2/9), p=0.48; relative risk [RR] 2.25 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.22-22.1)]. Thirty-day mortality was higher in AKI minus RRT group compared to the no AKI group [75.0% (9/12) vs. 30.8% (4/13); p=0.03; RR 6.75 (95% CI 1.16-39.2)]. CONCLUSION: In cardiogenic shock patients on Impella-CP, AKI minus RRT is associated with a higher 30-day mortality compared to patients without AKI and/or patients with AKI plus RRT. Short-term mortality may improve in cardiogenic shock patients with AKI who are treated with RRT.

Transesophageal Echocardiography-Guided WATCHMAN Implantation Without Contrast Use: A Three-Year, Single-Center Experience.

Background It is unclear if the WATCHMAN device (Boston Scientific, St. Paul, Minnesota) can be implanted without contrast to prevent complications in patients with advanced chronic kidney disease (CKD) or contrast allergy. Objective The efficiency and safety of WATCHMAN implantation under transesophageal echocardiography (TEE)-guidance and fluoroscopy without contrast use. Methods This was a retrospective single-center study at Albany Medical Center between June 2016 and June 2019. Consecutive procedure notes for all WATCHMAN devices implanted between June 2016 and June 2019 were screened to identify patients who did not receive contrast. Patients with incomplete information on the calculation of the 'Congestive heart failure, Hypertension, Age [>75 years], Stroke, Diabetes mellitus, Vascular disease, Age [65 to 74 years], Sex category' (CHA2DS2VASc)/'Hypertension, Abnormal renal/liver function, Stroke, Bleeding history, Labile international normalized ratio, Elderly, Drugs/alcohol' (HAS-BLED) score and reason(s) precluding safe contrast use were excluded. Efficiency was measured as i) accuracy of device size estimation based on TEE-measured left atrial appendage (LAA) dimensions were determined by the need to change the size of the device initially selected, ii) number of implantation attempts, irrespective of change in device size, iii) whether more than one device was used secondary to inaccurate initial size estimation or other procedural complexities, and iv) successful LAA seal on TEE immediately and 45-days post-implantation (peri-device leak of < 5 mm by color Doppler). Procedure-related complications, immediate and delayed (0-45 days), were recorded. Results Twelve patients received WATCHMAN without contrast. The mean age was 79.2 years, with male predominance (n=8). The mean CHA2DS2VASc and HAS-BLED scores were 5.50 (+/-1.24) and 4.08 (+/-1.08), respectively. Contrast was avoided because of a history of CKD stage IV (n=5), rapidly progressive CKD stage III (n=1), and contrast allergy (n=6). In 11 out of 12 patients, initial TEE-based device size estimation was accurate with successful implantation at the first attempt. One patient required a change in initial device size and, therefore, required a second attempt for successful implantation. There was no peri-device leak immediately post-implantation in any patient; only one patient had a significant device leak on day 45 TEE requiring continuation of anticoagulation for four months until a successful device seal. There were no immediate or late complications up to 45-days post-implantation. Conclusion Our experience shows no significant compromise in the efficiency and safety of the WATCHMAN implantation without contrast in patients with advanced CKD or a contrast allergy.

Is our initial evaluation of patients admitted for syncope guideline-directed and cost-effective?

INTRODUCTION: Recent American College of Cardiology and European Society of Cardiology guidelines for syncope evaluation help distinguish high-cardiac risk patients from those with low-risk orthostatic and neurogenic syncope. Inpatient evaluation is recommended if at least one high-risk feature is present. OBJECTIVE: To assess guideline adherence and its impact on hospitalization in patients who presented with syncope before and after the introduction of guideline-based syncope protocol in the emergency department (ED). METHODS: All adult patients admitted to general medicine from the ED with the primary diagnosis of syncope in the months of October 2016 and October 2018 (before and after the introduction of syncope protocol in 2017). Electronic charts were retrospectively reviewed for high-risk cardiac features and orthostatic blood pressure measurement. RESULTS: Sixty patients were admitted for syncope in October 2016 (n = 32) and October 2018 (n = 28), out of which 33 (55%) were female and 47 (78.3%) were over age 50. Forty-five patients had at least one high-risk feature. Excluding one patient with an alternate diagnosis at discharge, 14 out of 60 patients (23.3%) admitted for syncope did not have any high-risk feature. Orthostatic blood pressure was measured in 3 patients (5%) in the ED and 27 patients (45%) later in the hospitalization. Six out of eight patients with implanted cardioverter-defibrillator or pacemaker had their devices interrogated. After the introduction of syncope protocol, there was an improvement in the proportion of high-risk patients admitted [68.7% (22/32) in October 2016 vs. 82.1% (23/28) in October 2018]. CONCLUSION: Utilizing syncope protocol in the ED may improve guideline adherence, direct appropriate disposition, and reduce healthcare expenses.

Recurrent Myocardial Infarction Despite Normal C-reactive Protein in a Patient with Behcet's Disease and Compound Heterozygous Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase (MTHFR) Mutations (C677T and A1298C).

A 39-year-old diabetic female with Behcet's disease presented with acute inferior wall myocardial infarction and underwent successful angioplasty of the occluded circumflex artery with a bare-metal stent (balancing increased the bleeding risk with Behcet's). Other coronary vessels were free of obstructive atherosclerosis. Optimal coronary artery disease (CAD) therapy was commenced, and Behcet's disease treatment was intensified with the normalization of C-reactive protein. Two years later, she presented with an acute left anterior descending artery occlusion that was managed with a drug-eluting stent this time. There was no evidence of diffuse atherosclerosis on coronary angiogram or coronary calcifications on the chest computed tomography (CT) scan. Compound heterozygous methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) mutations (C677T and A1298C) and high-normal plasma homocysteine were detected. With the long-term continuation of dual anti-platelet, lipid-lowering, immunosuppressive, and folic-acid therapies, she did not have cardiac events during the three-year follow-up. This is the first report of recurrent thrombotic acute coronary syndrome (ACS) in a patient with diabetes, compound heterozygous MTHFR mutations, Behcet's disease with normal C-reactive protein (CRP), and no evidence of diffuse coronary artery disease.

Transient sinus arrest due to sinus node artery thrombus after revascularisation of the left circumflex artery.

We present a case of sinus arrest and junctional escape rhythm from sinus node artery (SNA) thrombus in a 55-year-old man after revascularisation of right coronary and proximal circumflex arteries for infero-posterior wall ST-segement elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). Sinus arrest from occlusion of the SNA is uncommon. The ensuing bradycardia may have haemodynamic consequences requiring temporary pacing but is almost always self-limited.

Systemic sarcoidosis presenting as complete heart block in a patient with normal chest radiography.

A previously healthy 44-year-old Caucasian man presented with recurrent syncope and was found to have a complete heart block with a ventricular rate of 24 bpm. No biochemical abnormalities were identified. Tick borne illnesses were ruled out. Paced echocardiogram revealed left ventricular systolic dysfunction with septal hypokinesis. Chest radiography and subsequent CT scan did not reveal adenopathy. However, a positron emission tomography scan demonstrated increased fluorodeoxyglucose uptake in the spleen, a right retro-clavicular lymph node, right ventricle and the interventricular septum of the heart. Excision biopsy of the retro-clavicular lymph node revealed non-caseating granulomas consistent with sarcoidosis. Complete heart block persisted despite steroid treatment. A pacemaker/biventricular implantable cardioverter defibrillator was placed for complete heart block and primary prevention of ventricular tachycardia and sudden cardiac death.

Worsening Mitral Stenosis Due to Post-transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement Improvement of Concomitant Aortic Insufficiency.

Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) has become an alternative to surgical treatment in severe aortic valve stenosis, with expanding indications and rapidly growing number of performed procedures. Poor opposition of TAVR prosthesis to the aortic root causes paravalvular leak, while mitral regurgitation and stenosis have been associated with valve implantation low in the left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT). We report an unusual case of a patient with combined severe aortic stenosis and moderate aortic insufficiency who underwent elective TAVR, which resulted in significant increase of a pre-existing mitral valve gradient. Rapid post-TAVR increase in mitral valve gradient was likely due to improvement in aortic regurgitation and decreased left ventricular end-diastolic pressure (LVEDP).