Hemorragia Intracerebral Imprevisible en un Hombre Joven: La Importancia de la Tomografía computarizada craneal post-mortem / Unpredictable Intracerebral Hemorrhage in a Young Male: The Importance of Post-Mortem Cranial Computed Tomography

La muerte súbita es aquella que ocurre dentro de las 24 horas posteriores al inicio de los síntomas y se caracteriza por ser clínicamente inexplicable, inesperada y repentina. Debido a la naturaleza de la muerte súbita, no es posible llegar a un diagnóstico preciso sin una autopsia. En esta comunicación breve, evaluaremos el caso de un empleado de crucero de 33 años, sin historial médico/farmacológico previo, el cual falleció súbitamente mientras reposaba en su camarote. Debido a las sospechas iniciales de una posible muerte causada por una sobredosis de cocaína, se le realizó un panel toxicológico abarcador el cual resultó negativo. Empero, una tomografía computarizada (TC) craneal sin contraste revirtió la hipótesis inicial y la autopsia neuropatológica -sorpresivamente- confirmó que la verdadera causa de muerte fue la ruptura de un aneurisma sacular desconocido en el polígono de Willis.

Sudden death occurs within 24 hours after the onset of symptoms and is characterized by being clinically inexplicable, sudden, and unexpected. Due to the nature of sudden death, it is not possible an accurate diagnosis without performing an autopsy. In this brief communication, we will evaluate the case of a 33-year-old cruise employee, with no prior medical/pharmacological history, who suddenly died while resting in his cabin. Due to initial suspicions of a possible cocaine overdose death, a comprehensive toxicology panel was performed, although yielding a negative result. A cranial computed tomography without contrast reversed the initial hypothesis and the neuropathological autopsy -surprisingly- confirmed that the true cause of death was the rupture of an unknown saccular aneurysm in the Circle of Willis.

Efecto de los fármacos en la prolongación del QT y la aparición de muerte súbita en la COVID-19 / Effect of Drugs on QT Prolongation and Sudden Death in COVID-19

Introducción: Las evidencias científicas han demostrado que durante el período pandémico por la COVID-19 ha existido un incremento de la incidencia de muerte súbita cardiovascular, proporcional al incremento de los casos y a la letalidad por la enfermedad. Objetivos: Compilar información sobre los fármacos empleados en el tratamiento de la COVID-19 y sus posibles efectos en la prolongación del intervalo QT y la aparición de muerte súbita. Métodos: Se realizó una búsqueda de información a partir de las bases de datos PubMed, Medline y SciELO, en los idiomas español e inglés en el período de enero de 2020 a enero de 2023. Resultados: Los hallazgos más recientes sugieren que los factores relacionados con el tratamiento médico del paciente para sus enfermedades cardiovasculares previas, el empleo concomitante de drogas para otras comorbilidades, el ensayo de nuevas drogas que se investigan en la actualidad para el tratamiento de la enfermedad y el uso inadecuado de fármacos en complicaciones graves por la COVID-19, pueden ocasionar prolongación del intervalo QT y arritmias ventriculares tipo torsades de pointes, lo que puede conllevar a la aparición de muerte súbita. Conclusiones: Ha sido demostrado el efecto deletéreo de los fármacos en el tratamiento de la COVID-19 y sus posibles asociaciones a la terapéutica del paciente, en la prolongación del tiempo de repolarización ventricular cardíaca, cuya traducción eléctrica es un intervalo QT prolongado y su contribución a la génesis de arritmias malignas potencialmente fatales capaces de desencadenar un paro cardíaco y evolucionar a la muerte súbita(AU)

Scientific evidence has shown an increase in the incidence of sudden cardiovascular death during the COVID-19 pandemic period. This has been proportional to the increase in cases and mortality from the disease. Direct and indirect injury to the myocardium and vascular system allow to partially explain the statistics. Among the factors related to the medical treatment of the patient for previous cardiovascular diseases, it is the concomitant use of drugs for other comorbidities. The trial of new drugs for the treatment of this condition and the inappropriate use of drugs in serious complications from COVID-19 are currently being investigated. These can cause QT prolongation and torsades de pointes ventricular arrhythmias, which can lead to sudden death. Monitoring the QT interval is recommended, before and during treatment, in patients who come to the emergency room with a clinical condition suggestive of COVID-19. Additionally, modifiable factors favoring its prolongation should be evaluated. Decision-making in the application of therapeutic protocols in patients with COVID-19 with prolonged QTc at baseline, or with increased QTc after starting treatment, must go through the analysis of the risk/benefit ratio defined by a multi- and interdisciplinary team(AU)

Síndrome de barlow: causa olvidada de miocardiopatía dilatada y muerte súbita / Barlow syndrome: A rare etiology of sudden death

Resumen Se presenta el caso de una mujer de 60 años, con an tecedente de prolapso de la válvula mitral, que consultó por disnea y palpitaciones de 2 semanas de evolución hasta clase funcional IV. En el electrocardiograma de ingreso se evidenció ritmo de fibrilación auricular de moderada respuesta con extrasístoles ventriculares fre cuentes. Se realizó ecocardiograma transtorácico donde se observó prolapso de la válvula mitral con deterioro grave de la función ventricular. Se diagnosticó síndrome de Barlow. La paciente intercurrió durante la internación con tres episodios de paro cardiorrespiratorio que revir tieron con maniobras de reanimación cardiopulmonar avanzada. Durante la internación se realizó balance negativo, se revirtió a ritmo sinusal y se colocó cardio desfibrilador implantable en prevención secundaria. En el seguimiento persiste con deterioro grave de la función ventricular. Destacamos el síndrome de Barlow como una causa poco frecuente de muerte súbita y su asociación con miocardiopatía dilatada.

Abstract We present the case of a 60-year-old woman, with a history of mitral valve prolapse, who consulted for dyspnea and palpitations of 2 weeks of evolution up to functional class IV. The admission electrocardio gram showed a moderately responsive atrial fibrilla tion rhythm with frequent ventricular extra systoles. A transthoracic echocardiogram was performed which showed mitral valve prolapse with severe impairment of ventricular function. Barlow syndrome was diagnosed. During hospitalization, the patient presented three epi sodes of cardiorespiratory arrest that were reversed with advanced cardiopulmonary resuscitation maneuvers. During admission, a negative balance was performed, sinus rhythm was reverted and an implantable auto matic defibrillator was placed in secondary prevention. During follow-up, severe deterioration of ventricular function persisted. We highlight Barlow syndrome as a rare cause of sudden death and its association with dilated cardiomyopathy.

Heart rate variability in patients presenting with anginal symptoms in absence of cardiac and other diseases

Objectives: Angina is a symptom of coronary artery disease (CAD). Modulation of cardiac autonomic tone as assessed by heart rate (HR) variability (HRV) is found reduced in patients with CAD; myocardial ischemia, myocardial infarction and some other cardiovascular diseases. Reduced HRV has been found associated with sudden cardiac death in these CAD patients. Several patients present with anginal symptoms clinically in absence of CAD or other diseases. The status of HRV is not much clear in these patients. Thus, we aimed to assess HRV in patients with angina with and without myocardial ischemia and compare it with HRV of healthy subjects of similar age groups and follow-up patients for 1 year for cardiac/health events. Materials and Methods: The study included 61 consecutive male patients clinically presenting with angina and 30 healthy subjects. Based on Thallium-201 myocardial perfusion Single-photon emission computerized tomography (SPECT) imaging, patients were divided into two groups; patients with myocardial perfusion defects (MPD), (n = 33, age 54.91 ± 7.43 years) and patients with no MPD (NMPD), NMPD (n = 28, age 53.04 ± 8.50 years). Short-term HRV was assessed in all patients and subjects in resting supine position following standard protocol. All MPD and 25 NMPD patients could be followed up for 1 year for cardiac/health events. Results: Surprisingly, the NMPD patients showed significantly reduced HRV, Standard deviation of the N-N intervals, The square root of the mean squared differences of successive N-N intervals, Percentage of the number of interval differences of successive N-N intervals greater than >50 ms divided by total number of R-R intervals, low frequency (LF) power, High Frequency (HF) power and total power as compared to both MPD patients and healthy subjects. (Total power [NMPD vs. MPD]: 610.1 [379.9–1072.8] vs. 1508.0 [748.4–2339.4] millisecond squares (ms2 ), P = 0.001), healthy subjects (Total power: 1414.6 [1104.6-2141.5] ms2 , P = 0.001). The markers of sympathetic tone; LF (normalised unit) and LF/HF ratio were higher in NMPD patients as compared to MPD patients resulting in an altered sympathovagal balance. During a 1-year follow-up, sudden death was seen in one MPD patient (3.1%) and two NMPD patients (8%). Conclusion: The NMPD patients showed significantly reduced HRV as compared to both MPD patients and Healthy subjects with an altered sympathovagal balance. Sudden death was also seen in NMPD patients as MPD patients.

Propuesta para evaluación preparticipativa y seguimiento en la prescripción del ejercicio y el deporte en el entrenamiento de resistencia / A proposal for preparticipation evaluation and follow up in the prescription of exercise and sports for resistance training

Resumen El ejercicio mejora la calidad y expectativa de vida y sus beneficios superan los riesgos asociados. Sin embargo, los atletas están expuestos al riesgo de muerte cardíaca súbita, cuya prevalencia es mayor que en personas sedentarias secundario a enfermedad cardíaca silente. La evaluación preparticipativa difiere en todos los países y representa un desafío para el médico al momento de tomar decisiones para considerar apta alguna persona para la práctica de ejercicio o deporte. Existen riesgos adicionales asociados a la práctica del entrenamiento de resistencia secundario a las adaptaciones cardiovasculares generadas, como el remodelamiento cardíaco, el cual puede llegar a ser patológico e incrementar el riesgo de arritmias y conducir así a una muerte cardíaca súbita. El objetivo principal de este artículo es proponer una evaluación preparticipativa en diferentes grupos etarios con base en la evidencia actual de la literatura para detectar y prevenir enfermedades cardiovasculares que conduzcan a muerte cardíaca súbita en el atleta durante su práctica deportiva.

Abstract Exercise improves quality of life and life expectancy, and its benefits outweigh its associated risks. However, athletes are at risk for sudden cardiac death, which occurs more frequently in them than in sedentary people, secondary to silent heart disease. Preparticipation evaluation varies by country and is a challenge for physicians in deciding whether to clear an individual for exercise or sports. Resistance training carries additional risks secondary to the cardiovascular adaptations it causes, such as cardiac remodeling, which may become pathological and increase the risk of arrhythmias, thus leading to sudden cardiac death. The main objective of this article is to propose a preparticipation evaluation in different age groups, based on current evidence in the literature for detecting and preventing cardiovascular diseases which can lead to sudden cardiac death in an athlete during sports practice.

Síndrome de Brugada: 30 Anos de Aventura Científica / Brugada Syndrome: 30 Years of Scientific Ventures

Resumo Trinta anos atrás, uma nova síndrome clínico-eletrocardiográfica distinta foi descrita, agora conhecida como síndrome de Brugada (SBr). Típico para essa síndrome é o eletrocardiograma com supradesnivelamento do segmento ST nas derivações precordiais direitas. A apresentação clínica da doença é altamente variável: os pacientes podem permanecer completamente assintomáticos, mas também podem desenvolver episódios de síncope, fibrilação atrial (FA), síndrome do nódulo sinusal (SNS), distúrbios de condução, assistolia e fibrilação ventricular (FV). A doença é causada por mutações nos genes responsáveis pelo potencial de ação das células do coração. O gene mais frequentemente envolvido é o SCN5A, que controla a estrutura e função do canal de sódio cardíaco. A descrição dessa nova síndrome teve implicações muito positivas em todos os campos da medicina.

Abstract Thirty years ago, a distinctly new clinical-electrocardiographic syndrome was described, today known as Brugada Syndrome (BrS). Typical treatment for this type of syndrome is electrocardiography with ST-segment elevation in the direct precordial derivations. The clinical presentation of the disease is highly variable: the patients can remain completely asymptomatic, but they can also develop episodes of syncope, atrial fibrillation (AF), sinus node dysfunction (SNF), conduction disorders, asystole, and ventricular fibrillation (VF). This disease is caused by mutations in the genes responsible for the potential action of cardiac cells. The most commonly involved gene is SCN5A, which controls the structure and function of the heart's sodium channel. The description of this new syndrome has shown highly positive implications in all fields of medicine.

Visual or computer-based measurements: Which is important for the interpretation of an athlete's electrocardiography?

SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: Preparticipation screening of athletes by electrocardiography is the most crucial step in determining sudden cardiac death risk factors. Several electrocardiography interpretation software programs have been developed for physicians practicing in this field. Our study aimed to assess cardiopoint sudden death screening module by comparing its findings with two cardiologists using Seattle and International criteria. METHODS: A total of 303 licensed national athletes (37% females) were enrolled. electrocardiographies were examined by the cardiopoint sudden death screening module using Seattle criteria and cardiologists. The consistency between cardiologists and software was compared, and the confidence assessment of the module was tested. RESULTS: With regard to Seattle criteria, moderate consistency was found between the cardiopoint sudden death screening module and the 1st (κ=0.41) and 2nd cardiologist (κ=0.59). Consistency between two cardiologists was moderate (κ=0.55). When we applied International criteria, there was moderate consistency between the module and the 1st cardiologist (κ=0.42), and good consistency between the module and the 2nd cardiologist (κ=0.63). Consistency between the two cardiologists was good (κ=0.62). CONCLUSION: The cardiopoint sudden death screening module had similar agreement with cardiologists based on both criteria. However, the software needs to be updated according to International criteria. Using computer-based measurements for preparticipation screening will help to save time and provide standardization of electrocardiography interpretation.

Fatores associados ao conhecimento das mães sobre a Síndrome da Morte Súbita do Lactente / Factors Associated with Mothers' Knowledge about Sudden Infant Death Syndrome

A Síndrome da Morte Súbita do Lactente é definida como a morte de qualquer lactente com menos de um ano de idade, sendo a posição de dormir, em posição prona, é o mais importante fator de risco. Assim, a divulgação maciça dos fatores de risco para essa síndrome é fundamental para que principalmente as mães saibam seus fatores e consigam evitar esse acidente. Dessa forma, o objetivo desse estudo foi verificar o conhecimento das mães sobre os fatores de risco e de proteção sobre a síndrome da morte súbita do lactente e sua associação às condições socioeconômicas e demográficas. Participaram 502 mães de crianças que estiveram presentes na vacinação da poliomielite. Foram coletadas informações socioeconômicas, demográficas e o conhecimento das mães sobre os fatores associados à síndrome. Realizado teste qui-quadrado, para associar a variável dependente (número de acerto das mães) com as independentes (socioeconômicas e demográficas). Foi utilizada análise de variância (ANOVA) para idade, renda e grau de escolaridade e modelo linear generalizado, para exclusão social. A maioria das mães (72,34%) relatou já ter ouvido falar sobre a síndrome, porém, apenas 51,9% sabia descrevê-la. Houve associação entre menor acerto nas questões (p=0,0001) e nunca ter ouvido falar sobre a síndrome. Mães que não ouviram falar e acertaram menos questões moravam em bairros com índice de exclusão social pior do que as que já ouviram falar. Conclui-se que, mães que nunca ouviram falar sobre a síndrome e consequentemente acertaram menos questões, moravam em bairros com índice de exclusão social pior do que as que já ouviram falar sobre a síndrome. Entretanto, dentre todos os fatores relacionados à síndrome, a posição de dormir foi aquela com maior número de acerto pelas mães.

Sudden Infant Death Syndrome is defined as the death of any infant under one year of age, with a sleeping position, in the prone position, being the most important risk factor. Thus, the massive dissemination of risk factors for this syndrome is fundamental so that mothers, specifically, would know these factors and be able to avoid this accident. Therefore, the objective of this study was to verify the knowledge of mothers about the risk and protective factors for sudden infant death syndrome and its association with socioeconomic and demographic conditions. 502 mothers of children who went for a polio vaccination participated. Socioeconomic and demographic information and mothers' knowledge of factors associated with the syndrome were collected. A chi-square test was performed to associate the dependent variable (number of mothers' correct answers) with the independent variables (socioeconomic and demographic data). Analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used for age, income, and level of education and a generalized linear model for social exclusion. Most mothers (72.34%) reported having heard about the syndrome; however, only 51.9% knew how to describe it. There was an association between lower accuracy in the questions (p=0.0001) and never having heard about the syndrome. Mothers who had not heard about it and got fewer questions right lived in neighborhoods with a worse social exclusion index than those who had already heard about it. It is concluded that mothers who had never heard about the syndrome and consequently answered fewer questions correctly, lived in neighborhoods with a worse social exclusion index than those who had already heard about the syndrome. However, among all the factors related to the syndrome, the sleeping position was the one with the highest number of correct answers by the mothers.

Characteristics and resuscitation effects of out-of-hospital sudden death: a study based on Internet data / 中华危重病急救医学

Objective:To collect the Internet news about "sudden death", analyze its characteristics and resuscitation effects, so as to provide reference for formulating intervention strategies.Methods:The Internet was used to search for "sudden death" and "cardiac arrest" on "Baidu" and "360" websites. Reports of sudden death events were collected from January 2013 to December 2022. The age, gender, characteristics of sudden death, implementation characteristics of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), and pre-hospital and final clinical outcomes of sudden death patients were recorded and analyzed. Subgroup analyses were performed for pre-hospital and final clinical outcomes. Unconditional multivariate Logistic regression analysis was used to screen the related factors affecting the pre-hospital and final clinical outcomes in patients with sudden death.Results:177 news reports were finally confirmed, involving 177 sudden death patients, including 152 males (85.9%) and 25 females (14.1%), aged (37.27±16.82) years old, and 53.1% in the 16-45 years old group. Triggering factors included strenuous exercise (29.9%), heart disease history (7.9%), overwork (6.2%), staying up late and insomnia (4.0%), activation of emotion (2.8%), and no obvious inducement (48.0%). After on-site first aid, 104 cases (58.8%) achieved restoration of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) before hospital admission, and 18 cases (10.2%) recovered consciousness. After clinical treatment, 109 cases (61.6%) achieved ROSC, 86 cases (48.6%) recovered consciousness, and 22 cases (12.4%) did not report the final outcome. Subgroup analysis showed that compared with patients who achieved pre-hospital ROSC ( n = 104), sudden death in non-ROSC patients ( n = 73) mainly occurred during sleep, in residence and without immediate CPR, full CPR, or automated external defibrillator (AED); and patients who ultimately did not recover consciousness clinically ( n = 91) showed similar characteristics compared with patients who recovered consciousness ( n = 86). Multifactorial Logistic regression analysis showed that immediate CPR [pre-hospital ROSC: odds ratio ( OR) = 8.06, 95% confidence interval (95% CI) was 2.36-27.46; final recovery of consciousness: OR = 9.10, 95% CI was 2.46-33.68] and AED defibrillation (pre-hospital ROSC: OR = 36.31, 95% CI was 4.53-291.19; final recovery of consciousness: OR = 3.53, 95% CI was 1.45-8.61) facilitated pre-hospital achievement of sudden death patients ROSC and final recovery of consciousness. Conclusions:Out-of-hospital sudden death mainly occurs in young people, and vigorous exercise is one of the potential factors for out-of-hospital sudden death, with nearly half having no obvious cause. Immediate and rapid CPR and defibrillation are the simplest and most effective on-site first aid methods. Strengthening public CPR and defibrillation education and training, and advocating healthy lifestyle are effective ways to improve the survival rate of sudden death and reduce the occurrence of sudden death. Based on practical clinical rescue experience, the implementation of bystander CPR by medical personnel is also a factor that cannot be ignored in affecting the clinical outcomes of sudden death patients.

Sick individuals and sick populations: Yunnan unexplained sudden death from the perspective of population medicine / 中华地方病学杂志

Individuals and populations affected by Yunnan unexplained sudden death have different causes, so different research methods and control strategies should be adopted for these two different causes. By reviewing relevant research literature on Yunnan unexplained sudden death, we reinterpret some characteristics of the disease from the perspective of population medicine. At the same time, it is found that some studies have shown that residents in areas where sudden death occurs have a higher proportion of myocardial damage compared to control areas, making them a population with basic sickness. Population medicine methods can be used to conduct etiology research and disease prevention and control.

Research progress on the etiology of Yunnan unexplained sudden death / 中华地方病学杂志

Yunnan unexplained sudden death is mostly cardiac sudden death caused by malignant arrhythmia, which is a special endemic disease that seriously threatens the health of people in the disease area, and is one of the important public health problems in Yunnan Province. The epidemiological characteristics of Yunnan unexplained sudden death are characterized by a high incidence of young and middle-aged people, and a clear clustering of ethnic groups, families, and villages. The etiology of this disease is not yet fully understood, and the main etiological studies include Trogia venenata poisoning, enterovirus infection, and hereditary heart disease, and hypothesis of the etiology of Keshan disease. After the implementation of comprehensive intervention measures such as health education based on abstinence from Trogia venenata, improving of production and living conditions in the disease area, and strengthening of health monitoring of the population in the disease area, the incidence has shown a significant downward trend in recent years.

Effect of the comprehensive intervention measures on Yunnan unexplained sudden death in Dali Prefecture / 中华地方病学杂志

Objective:To evaluate the effect of comprehensive intervention measures on Yunnan unexplained sudden death (YUSD) in Dali Prefecture, Yunnan Province, and to provide scientific basis for improving the prevention and control measures.Methods:Since 2010, Yunnan Province had implemented comprehensive intervention measures in ward areas according to the etiological pattern of YUSD. In July 2019, 47 families with YUSD were selected as case families and 23 families without YUSD were selected as control families in 31 natural villages of Heqing, Xiangyun, Yunlong, Eryuan, Jianchuan, Binchuan and Nanjian counties of Dali Prefecture. A unified questionnaire was used to investigate the basic information, economic status, dietary structure, and health literacy of the families during the two periods of "the first sudden death case" and "the present".Results:The annual household income of the case families at present (median, 20 492.6 yuan) was significantly higher than that of the first sudden death case (3 883.4 yuan), and the difference was statistically significant ( Z = - 5.27, P < 0.001). At present, rice (76.6%, 36/47) was the main diet of the case families; at the time of the first sudden death case, 23.4% (11/47) of the case families could not eat enough, and there was no such situation in the case families at present. Compared with the time of the first sudden death case, the dietary habits of the case families at present were as follows: the proportion of eating Trogia venenata decreased from 19.0% (39/205) to 0 (0/190), the proportion of eating wild fruit decreased from 17.1% (35/205) to 9.5% (18/190), and the proportion of drinking raw water decreased from 55.1% (113/205) to 42.1% (80/190), and the differences were statistically significant (χ 2 = 22.37, 4.90, 6.86, P < 0.05). Lifestyle and health awareness: the proportion of those who washed their hands before meals and after using the toilet increased from 9.8% (20/205) to 41.6% (79/190), those who did not overwork increased from 16.6% (34/205) to 34.2% (65/190), and those who took good protection when spraying pesticides increased from 7.3% (15/205) to 21.6% (41/190), and the differences were statistically significant (χ 2 = 53.17, 33.94, 16.48, P < 0.001). Toilet habits: the proportion of using outdoor toilet decreased from 75.6% (155/205) to 9.5% (18/190), the difference was statistically significant (χ 2 = 175.21, P < 0.001). When the first sudden death case occurred, the proportions of eating Trogia venenata and using outdoor toilet in the case families were higher than those in the control families (χ 2 = 22.37, 23.70, P < 0.001), the proportions of those who washed their hands before meals and after using the toilet and those who did not overwork in the case families were lower than those in the control families (χ 2 = 7.38, 4.93, P < 0.05). Conclusions:The economic conditions, production and living conditions of YUSD areas in Dali Prefecture have been significantly improved, and the health literacy and health prevention awareness of the population have been greatly improved. Economic conditions and living standard, dietary structure and health literacy may be related factors of YUSD.

A case of sudden death due to pulmonary embolism of bone marrow origin, masked as acute drug toxicity: A rare case in a bewildering clinical scenario

Introduction: Sudden death is unexpected death within 24 hours from the onset of symptoms with or without known preexisting conditions. Respiratory pathologies are the second most common cause of such deaths. Brief History of Case: 39 years old male patient with a history of mental illness for the last 10 years and on regular treatment with antipsychotic medications, suffered sudden deterioration of higher functions and was admitted to the Medical College, and Hospital, Kolkata with a provisional diagnosis of drug toxicity. He succumbed to his condition within 24 hours of admission and the dead body was referred to Kolkata Police Morgue for a medicolegal autopsy. Gross autopsy findings: Shows multi-system involvement in the form of Pulmonary Oedema, consolidation, broncho-pneumonic changes and subpleural petechiae, Cardiomegaly due to biventricular hypertrophy, Cerebral Oedema, Enlarged kidneys with loss of cortico-medullary differentiation and streaky cortico-medullary haemorrhages. Stomach findings were unremarkable. Salient findings in ancillary investigations: 1) Toxicological Examination of blood, bile, vitreous and routine viscera was negative for any poison or pharmacological agents. 2) Histopathological examination with routine H&E staining showed Pulmonary oedema with lymphocytic infiltration and the presence of fat and hematopoietic precursor cells in pulmonary vessels, Interstitial Oedema and focal glomerulosclerosis and Periportal inflammation in the liver.

Coronary Artery Connection Abnormality Revealed by Acute Coronary Syndrome: A Case Report and Review of the Literature

Coronary artery connection abnormalities are rare with an angiographic prevalence of approximately 1%. Their symptomatology is very varied, from incidental discovery to sudden death by myocardial ischemia, especially during exercise, hence the importance of early diagnosis and management. Angiographic diagnosis is generally easy, but it is sometimes difficult to specify the initial course of the ectopic vessel, hence the interest of non-invasive imaging, in particular the coronary CT scan. This latter represents the innovative imaging of choice for assessing the anatomical risk and selecting candidates for surgical treatment. We report a case of abnormal connection of the left coronary revealed by an acute coronary syndrome and we present a review of the literature on the different anatomical forms of the pathology and its management.

Mortality in post-discharge COVID-19 patients from a tertiary care center - A follow-up study

Background: Among many responsibilities, the doctors from the COVID war room of our institute were assigned to take telephonic follow-up of discharged COVID patients to provide any medical assistance if needed. During this process, few relatives of the patient’s informed back that the patients had died after discharge from the COVID wards. Aim and Objective: Such data of death in the COVID patients after discharged are limited in India; hence, we conducted this study so that more information is generated. Materials and Methods: Relatives of these COVID patients were asked about date and place of death. Other data including gender, age, date of admission, date of discharge, and requirement of oxygen were available with the COVID war room and were used for evaluation. Results: Out of the 892 COVID discharged patients (between August and October 2020) who could be contacted, 19 (2.13%) patients (6 females and 13 males) had died after discharge from the COVID ward. Characteristics of these 19 patients included higher age (n = 11 were 61–80 years old and n = 3 were >80 years old), hospital stay of 11–20 days (n = 12), and required oxygen support (n = 12). Most deaths occurred within 20 days (n = 16) after discharge from the COVID ward. Conclusions: The current study reports deaths occurring COVID patients after discharge. Most of these deaths occurred within 4 weeks of cure and in elderly patients. More research with long-term follow-up is needed in “cured” COVID-19 patients so that appropriate preventive measures can be undertaken in the future.

Muerte súbita inesperada en epilepsia. Revisión sobre la implicación del tallo encefálico / Sudden unexpected death in epilepsy. Review about the brainstem involvement

RESUMEN La muerte súbita inesperada en epilepsia, se define como la muerte repentina -presenciada o no- de personas con epilepsia, no traumática ni por ahogamiento, con o sin evidencias de crisis, y en quienes el examen postmorten no revela una causa estructural o toxicológica de muerte. El objetivo de esta revisión es describir las evidencias más recientes, publicadas en la literatura, sobre la participación crucial del tallo encefálico en la fisiopatología de la muerte súbita inesperada en epilepsia. Se realizó una búsqueda bibliográfica en la base de datos computarizada PubMed. Los estudios en modelos animales han demostrado que los mecanismos de la muerte súbita inesperada en epilepsia involucran un primer evento mediado por una crisis, seguido por la despolarización cortical, que se propaga al tallo encefálico y que resulta en una disfunción autonómica causante de apnea central, edema pulmonar o arritmia cardiaca. Los estudios en humanos se han apoyado en las imágenes de resonancia magnética para evaluar el papel de diferentes áreas del tallo encefálico en la muerte súbita inesperada en epilepsia. Las evidencias acumuladas por la literatura, tanto en estudios con animales como humanos, evidencian el papel fundamental desempeñado por las estructuras del tallo encefálico en la fisiopatología de la muerte súbita inesperada en epilepsia.

ABSTRACT Sudden unexpected death in epilepsy is defined as the sudden death-whether witnessed or not-of people with epilepsy, not traumatic or due to drowning, with or without evidence of seizures, and in whom postmortem examination does not reveal a structural or toxicological cause of death. The aim of this review is to describe the most recent evidence published in the literature, on the crucial involvement of the brain stem in the pathophysiology of sudden unexpected death in epilepsy. A bibliographic search was conducted in PubMed computerized database. Studies in animal models have shown that the mechanisms of sudden unexpected death in epilepsy involve a first seizure-mediated event, followed by cortical depolarization, which spreads to the brainstem and results in autonomic dysfunction causing central apnea, pulmonary edema or cardiac arrhythmia. Studies in humans have relied on magnetic resonance imaging to assess the role of the brainstem in sudden unexpected death in epilepsy. The evidence accumulated in the literature, both in animal and in human studies, shows the role played by brainstem structures in the pathophysiology of sudden unexpected death in epilepsy.

Primer choque apropiado del desfibrilador automático implantable en pacientes con cardiopatía chagásica / First appropriate implantable defibrillator shocks in patients with Chagasic heart disease

Resumen Objetivos: Determinar si los pacientes con cardiopatía chagásica (CCh) presentaron choques apropiados del desfibrilador automático implantable (DAI) de manera más precoz que los pacientes con cardiopatía isquémica (CI). Métodos: Estudio de cohorte retrospectivo que incluyó los pacientes con CCh y CI en quienes se implantó un DAI entre los años 2009 y 2018 en un hospital de alta complejidad. El seguimiento se realizó hasta los 36 meses, evaluándose el momento del primer choque apropiado del dispositivo. Resultados: Se incluyeron 64 pacientes, 20 con CCh y 44 con CI. Se observó que una mayor proporción de pacientes con CCh presentaron choques apropiados durante el primer año (hazard ratio [HR]: 8.4; intervalo de confianza del 95% [IC95%]: 2.09-34.02; p = 0.0027) y a 3 años (HR: 4.61; IC95%: 1.51-14.07; p = 0.0072). El 100% de la población con CCh e implante del DAI como prevención secundaria de muerte súbita presentaron choques apropiados durante los primeros 26 meses de seguimiento. Conclusiones: Los pacientes con CCh presentaron choques apropiados del DAI de manera más precoz que los pacientes con CI. Todos los pacientes con CCh y DAI como prevención secundaria presentaron choques apropiados, representando una población de mayor riesgo. Esta información apoya la indicación del DAI en estos pacientes a pesar de la escasa evidencia en ensayos aleatorizados.

Abstract Objetives: To assess if patients with Chagasic heart disease (CHD) received effective automatic implantable defibrillator (AID) shocks earlier than patients with ischemic heart disease (IHD). Methods: Retrospective cohort of patients with CHD and IHD who received an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) between 2009 and 2018, in a tertiary hospital. We evaluated the time between the implant of ICD and the first effective shock in patients with CHD and compared it with the IHD control population. Results: We included a total of 64 patients, 20 with CHD and 44 with IHD. CHD patients presented earlier an effective shock than patients with IHD during the first year (hazard ratio [HR]: 8.4; 95% confidence interval [95% CI]: 2.09-34.02; p = 0.0027), and at three years (HR: 4.61; 95% CI: 1.51-14.07; p = 0.0072). 100% of CHD patients who received the ICD as secondary prevention of sudden cardiac death presented an effective shock during the first 26 months of follow-up. Conclusions: Patients with CHD received effective ICD shocks earlier than the IHD patients. All patients with CHD and ICD as secondary prevention had an appropriate ICD shock at short term, representing the highest risk population, and supporting the indication of the device in a setting where randomized clinical trials are lacking.

Muerte Súbita Post Infarto: ¿Cuándo Implantar un Desfibrilador Automático? Breve revisión a propósito de un caso / Sudden Death After Infarction: when To Implant An Automatic Defibrillator? Brief review about a case

Sudden death is the most serious complication of acute coronary syndromes. The highest percentage occurs at home with a very low survival rate. The highest risk group are patients with ejection fraction under 40% after an acute myocardial infarction. So far the indication of the clinical practice guides are the implantation of ICD as a secondary prevention, and as a primary prevention when the systolic function is severely diminished, however there is an interval of 40 days in which the implant has not managed to demonstrate benefits. In this critical period patients should be managed with beta-blockers. So far, the absolute benefit of using portable cardioverter-defibrillators as a prophylactic bridge to the ICD implant has not been demonstrated. The following revision is based on the most relevant clinical practice guides in the field carried out in relation to a clinical case

Myocardial bridging – Sudden unexpected death of a young girl: A case report

Myocardial bridging (MB) is a relatively uncommon congenital anomaly where a segment of the coronary artery dips inside the myocardium and takes a tunneled course under a bridge of the myocardium. This leads to the compression of the coronary artery during systole resulting in hemodynamic changes and their clinical manifestations. However, it is an incidental finding but can present with multiple complications like myocardial ischemia, infarction, and sudden death, primarily when associated with other risk factors like left ventricular hypertrophy of the heart. Therefore, a careful examination of the heart is essential for evaluating the clinical significance of the MB. Here, we presented a case of a 30-year-old young female who had a sudden death, and her histological examination of the heart showed MB of left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD).

Origen anómalo de la arteria descendente anterior / Anomalous origin of the anterior descending artery

Resumen Se considera origen anómalo de una arteria coronaria cuando esta no se origina de su seno de Valsalva respectivo. La prevalencia estimada varía entre el 0.6% y el 1.3%. Si bien la mayoría estarán asintomáticos, el 20% puede debutar con arritmias, síncope, infarto del miocardio o muerte súbita. Se expone el caso de una mujer de 42 años, con historia de hipertensión arterial, quien, durante una prueba de esfuerzo para prescripción de ejercicio, presentó bloqueo de rama izquierda. Ante la ausencia de síntomas se decidió realizar una angiografía coronaria por tomografía, la cual mostró un origen anómalo de la arteria descendente anterior desde el seno de Valsalva derecho. Se consideró realizar angiografía coronaria para evaluar la compresión dinámica durante el ciclo cardiaco; sin embargo, la paciente no aceptó intervenciones adicionales, por lo que se indicó restricción del ejercicio, metoprolol y seguimiento. A la fecha no reporta complicaciones. Las anomalías de las arterias coronarias son defectos cardiacos poco comunes, y entre estos, las anormalidades de la arteria descendente anterior son aún menos habituales. Son una causa frecuente de muerte súbita en atletas. Sus características anatómicas y la presencia de síntomas ayudarán a elegir a los pacientes que se beneficiarán del manejo quirúrgico.

Abstract An anomalous origin of a coronary artery is considered when it does not originate from its respective Valsalva sinus. The estimated prevalence varies between 0.6% to 1.3%. While the majority will be asymptomatic, 20% may debut with arrhythmias, syncope, myocardial infarction or sudden death. It is presented a case of a 42 year old woman, with a history of high blood pressure. During exercise stress test for exercise prescription she presented a left bundle branch block. In absence of symptoms, it was decided to perform a coronary angiotomography that showed an anomalous origin of the anterior descending artery from the right Valsalva sinus. It was considered to perform coronary angiography to evaluate dynamic compression during the cardiac cycle, however, the patient did not accept additional interventions, so exercise restriction was indicated, metoprolol as drug treatment and follow up, not report complications to date. Coronary artery abnormalities are rare heart defects and within these abnormalities of the anterior descending artery are even less frequent. They are a frequent cause of sudden death in athletes. Its anatomical characteristics as the presence of symptoms will help to choose the patients who will benefit from surgical management.