AA Amyloidosis Secondary to Horton's Disease Complicated by Pulmonary Fibrosis: A Very Challenging Diagnosis and Therapy

AA amyloidosis is a classic and serious complication of many chronic inflammatory processes, whether of infectious, autoimmune, or neoplastic origin. It is frequently complicated by kidney damage, often in the form of a nephrotic syndrome. Giant cell arteritis is a common inflammatory arteritis in the elderly; however, it rarely causes AA amyloidosis. We report a rare case of Horton disease causing AA amyloidosis in an elderly patient with history of myopericarditis and repeated episodes of congestive heart failure. Patient was treated initially with dual therapy based on corticosteroids and anti TNF therapy (Tocilizumab) associated with heart failure therapy recommended by the European society of cardiology (ESC 2021 guidelines on Heart Failure). The initial outcome was favorable but later complicated by the involvement of the lungs; pulmonary fibrosis, responsible for repeated episodes of pleural effusion non controlled in spite of high dose of loop diuretics and repeated pleural punction. Patient died shortly after her second hospitalization due to respiratory insufficiency.

A Rare Case Report of “Torsades De Pointes” Induced by Fluconazole-Levetiracetam Combined Therapy

Drugs used to treat cardiovascular disease as well as those used in the treatment of multiple other conditions can occasionally produce exaggerated prolongation of the QT interval on the surface electrocardiogram and the morphologically distinctive polymorphic ventricular tachycardia that results is known as «torsade de pointe». «Torsade de pointe» (TDP) is a characteristic polymorphic ventricular arrhythmia associated with delayed ventricular repolarization as evidenced on the surface electrocardiogram by QT interval prolongation. It typically occurs in self-limiting bursts, causing dizziness and syncope, but may occasionally progress to ventricular fibrillation and sudden death. This rare case report showed the potential higher risk of the occurrences of «Tdp» when levetiracetam (KEPPRA) was used in combination therapy with fluconazole, which is already a known medication with the risk of causing polymorphic ventricular arrhythmia.

Acute Aortic Dissection Masquerading a Rare Type of Congenital Bicuspid Aortic : A Case Report

Acute aortic dissection on bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) type 0 is a rare especially in young masculine. Risk factors like smoking and intensive sport activities can hasten their apparition especially in non-diagnosed population. Trans thoracic echocardiography is very important in the diagnosis of BAV whereas Angio CT scan helps to confirm acute aortic dissection. Treatment is based on surgery for type A Stanford classification for acute aortic dissection. We report a rare case of acute aortic dissection masquerading a rare type of BAV, type 0 in a young sportive male with no history of heart disease who presented for the first-time with acute chest pain after lifting a heavy weight metal at the complex sport center. Patient was initially placed on medical treatment before surgery for heart valve and root replacement (Bentall procedure).