Una causa olvidada de insuficiencia cardíaca / A forgotten cause of heart failure

Amyloidosis is a low-frequency disease that can cause compromise of different systems. We report a case of heart failure in an 81-year-old woman secondary to amyloidosis, in which the echocardiogram was a valuable diagnostic tool.

Taponamiento Cardiaco: cuando el corazón se encuentra bajo presión / Cardiac tamponade: when the heart is under pressure

BACKGROUND: Cardiac tamponade is a medical emergency that occurs when fluid accumulates in the pericardial space, its prompt diagnosis and treatment can prevent a fatal outcome. OBJECTIVES: We describe a case of cardiac tamponade in a medicine Ward and its subsequent resolution. CLINICAL CASE: 56-year-old male patient with dyspnoea and edematous síndrome, managed with partial response depletive therapy. Echocardiographic study reveals a large pericardial effusion with signs of cardiac tamponade. Inmediate management with ultrasound-guided pericardiocentesis and subsequent surgical resolution. DISCUSSION: The knowledge of the clinical-hemdynamic manifestations and their subsequent pathophysiological background are important in the diagnostic suspicion and management considerations. Echocardiography is a critical component for the final diagnosis, since given its sensitivity and specificity it allows to complete the characterization of the pericardial effusion. In addition, it contributes to reducing the morbidity associated with its drainage.

Supradesnivelamento do Segmento ST localizado como apresentação atípica de perimiocardite aguda / Located ST-Segment Elevation as atypical presentation of acute perimiocarditis

Relatamos o caso de um paciente jovem admitido no pronto-socorro com quadro de dor precordial. O eletrocardiograma de admissão identificou supradesnivelamento do segmento ST localizado em parede lateral associado à imagem em "espelho", com enzimas cardíacas altamente elevadas, o que sugere diagnóstico de síndrome coronariana com supradesnivelamento de ST. O ecocardiograma evidenciou derrame pericárdico com fração de ejeção preservada e ausência de alterações segmentares, sugerindo, assim, pericardite aguda, com comprometimento do miocárdio. Desta forma, foi realizada ressonância magnética cardíaca, que evidenciou presença de realce tardio não isquêmico, confirmando o diagnóstico de perimiocardite. Trata-se de situação pouco frequente na prática clínica e que merece maior compreensão e atenção por parte dos médicos que trabalham em prontos-socorros

Acute pericarditis / Pericardite aguda

Summary Acute pericarditis is a common disease caused by inflammation of the pericardium, usually benign and self-limited and can occur as an isolated or as a manifestation of a systemic disease entity. Represents 5% of all causes of chest pain in the emergency room. The main etiology are viral infections, although it can also be secondary to systemic diseases and infections. The main complication of acute pericarditis is pericardial effusion, triggering a cardiac tamponade. The first line of treatment is the use of anti-inflammatory and or acetylsalicylic acid. Most patients have a good initial response to an NSAID associated to colchicine and became asymptomatic within a few days. This review article seeks to contemplate the main clinical findings and armed investigation to optimize the diagnosis of this important disease, as well as addressing their therapeutic management.

Resumo A pericardite aguda é uma doença comum causada pela inflamação do pericárdio, geralmente benigna e autolimitada, podendo ocorrer como entidade isolada ou como manifestação de uma patologia sistêmica. Representa 5% de todas as causas de dor torácica na sala de emergência. A principal etiologia são as infecções virais, embora também possa ser secundária a afecções sistêmicas. A principal complicação da pericardite aguda é o derrame pericárdico, desencadeando um tamponamento. A primeira linha de tratamento é uso de anti-inflamatórios ou ácido acetilsalicílico. A maioria dos pacientes tem boa resposta inicial a um anti-inflamatório não esteroide (AINE) associado à colchicina e torna-se assintomática em poucos dias. Este artigo busca contemplar os principais achados clínicos e de propedêutica armada para otimizar o diagnóstico dessa patologia, bem como abordar o seu manejo terapêutico.

Taponamiento cardiaco como primera manifestación de una neoplasia de pulmón / Cardiac tamponade as first manifestation of a lung neoplasm

INTRODUCCIÓN: En el taponamiento cardiaco existe restricción del llenado del corazón debido a un incremento de la presión de la cavidad pericárdica secundario a derrame pericárdico. Este aumento puede alcanzar valores que lleguen a superar las presiones fisiológicas de las cavidades derechas, comprometiendo así el llene de éstas, afectando secundariamente la precarga del ventrículo izquierdo. PRESENTACIÓN DEL CASO: Paciente de 52 años, sexo masculino, con antecedentes de tabaquismo y diabetes mellitus tipo 2, que consultó al servicio de urgencias del centro asistencial Víctor Ríos Ruiz de Los Ángeles por cuadro caracterizado por dolor cólico epigástrico, asociado a nauseas, vómitos, distensión abdominal, coluria, oliguria, anorexia, constipación, astenia, adinamia y malestar general. Es hospitalizado en el servicio de cirugía por sospecha de colecistitis aguda, se realiza ecografía abdominal donde se pesquizó líquido libre perihepático y periesplénico, y aumento del calibre de la vena cava inferior con derrame pleural bilateral. Comenzó con hipotensión, pulso paradojal e ingurgitación yugular, por lo que es trasladado a UCI donde la ecocardiografía confirmó taponamiento cardiaco. Se realizó pericardiocentésis y estudio del líquido, que muestra células de aspecto neoplásico. Se realizó tomografía axial computarizada (TAC) encontrándose lesión sólida en lóbulo pulmonar inferior izquierdo, nódulo en lóbulo medio y múltiples adenopatías mediastínicas e hiliares bilaterales. DISCUSIÓN: El derrame pericárdico maligno suele presentarse como taponamiento cardiaco, siendo la causa más frecuente el cáncer de pulmón. El pronóstico de un derrame pericárdico en contexto de cáncer pulmonar es más bien ominoso, llegando a ser menor a los 3 meses de vida.

INTRODUCTION: In cardiac tamponade, there is a filling restriction of the heart due to increased pressure of the pericardial cavity secondary to pericardial effusion. Pressure can reach values greater than that of the right heart cavities, compromising their filling, and, secondarily, affecting the preload of the left ventricle. CASE REPORT: A 52-year old male, with type 2 diabetes mellitus, consulted to the emergency department of Víctor Ríos Ruiz Hospital of Los Angeles, Chile for epigastric colic pain, nausea, vomiting, abdominal distention, choluria, oliguria, anorexia, constipation, asthenia, adynamia and malaise. He is admitted to the surgery ward on the suspicion of acute cholecystitis. Abdominal ultrasound showed perihepatic and perisplenic free fluid and increased caliber of the inferior vena cava, associated with bilateral pleural effusion. Hypotension, paradoxical pulse and jugular engorgement developed, so he is transferred to the ICU where echocardiography confirmed cardiac tamponade. Pericardiocentesis was performed, which showed malignant cells on microscopy. A computerized tomography (CT scan) showed a solid mass in the left inferior lung lobe, a nodule in the middle lobe and multiple mediastinal and hiliar bilateral lymphoadenopaties. DISCUSSION: Malignant pericardial effusion commonly presents as cardiac tamponade, being the lung cancer its main etiology. The prognosis of pericardial effusion in lung cancer is rather ominous, with an overall survival of less than 3 months.

Cardiac Tamponade Complicated by Acupuncture: Hemopericardium due to Shredded Coronary Artery Injury

We report a case of 62-year-old man with cardiac tamponade due to coronary artery injury after acupuncture into the substernum. After resuscitation of cardiac arrest, we performed emergent pericardiocentesis. Nevertheless, the cardiac arrest recurred, and the emergent operation on cardiopulmonary bypass was performed. We identified hemopericardium due to shredded acute marginal branch of right coronary artery, and it was ligated leading to termination of bleeding. The patient was discharged without any other complications.

Mediastinitis and pericardial effusion in a patient with AIDS and disseminated Mycobacterium avium infection: a case report / Mediastinite e derrame pericárdico em um paciente com AIDS e infecção disseminada por Mycobacterium avium: um relato de caso

We report the case of a 36-year-old man who had acquired immune deficiency syndrome and developed suppurative mediastinitis extending over the left lung and anterior thoracic wall around the sternum, pericardial effusions, splenomegaly, and mesenteric and periaortic lymphadenomegaly due to Mycobacterium avium (genotype I). The organism was isolated from an axillary lymph node and the bone marrow. Mediastinitis associated with disseminated M. avium complex infection is uncommon and, to the best of our knowledge, this manifestation has not reported before.

Relatamos o caso de um paciente de 36 anos vivendo com AIDS que desenvolveu mediastinite supurativa com extensão ao pulmão esquerdo e à parede anterior do tórax ao redor do esterno, derrame pericárdico, esplenomegalia e adenomegalia mesentérica e periaórtica, devido ao Mycobacterium avium genótipo I, isolado de linfonodo axilar e da medula óssea. A mediastinite associada à infecção pelo Mycobacterium avium é rara e, até onde conhecemos na literatura publicada, esta forma de apresentação ainda no foi relatada.

Tuberculous Pericarditis Presenting as Multiple Free Floating Masses in Pericardial Effusion

Pericarditis is a rare manifestation of tuberculosis (Tb) in children. A 14-yr-old Korean boy presented with cardiac tamponade during treatment of pulmonary tuberculosis. He developed worsening anemia and persistent fever in spite of anti-tuberculosis medications. Echocardiography found free floating multiple discoid masses in the pericardial effusion. The masses and exudates were removed by pericardiostomy. The masses were composed of pink, amorphous meshwork of threads admixed with degenerated red blood cells and leukocytes with numerous acid-fast bacilli, which were confirmed as Mycobacterium species by polymerase chain reaction. The persistent fever and anemia were controlled after pericardiostomy. This is the report of a unique manifestation of Tb pericarditis as free floating masses in the effusion with impending tamponade.

Acute Viral Myopericarditis Presenting as a Transient Effusive-Constrictive Pericarditis Caused by Coinfection with Coxsackieviruses A4 and B3

Acute myopericarditis is usually caused by viral infections, and the most common cause of viral myopericarditis is coxsackieviruses. Diagnosis of myopericarditis is made based on clinical manifestations of myocardial (such as myocardial dysfunction and elevated serum cardiac enzyme levels) and pericardial (such as inflammatory pericardial effusion) involvement. Although endomyocardial biopsy is the gold standard for the confirmation of viral infection, serologic tests can be helpful. Conservative management is the mainstay of treatment in acute myopericarditis. We report here a case of a 24-year-old man with acute myopericarditis who presented with transient effusive-constrictive pericarditis. Echocardiography showed transient pericardial effusion with constrictive physiology and global regional wall motion abnormalities of the left ventricle. The patient also had an elevated serum troponin I level. A computed tomogram of the chest showed pericardial and pleural effusion, which resolved after 2 weeks of supportive treatment. Serologic testing revealed coxsackievirus A4 and B3 coinfection. The patient received conservative medical treatment, including nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and he recovered completely with no complications.

Derrame pericárdico como forma de apresentação do hipotireoidismo secundário à radioablação com iodo / Pericardial effusion as a form of presentation of hypothyroidism secondary to radioiodine ablation

Relata-se caso de derrame pericárdico e pleural acompanhado de comprometimento hemodinâmico cuja etiologia foi dada, por diagnóstico de exclusão, ao hipotireoidismo secundário à radioablação por iodo, realizada dois meses antes do quadro clínico. Otratamento usado foi pericardiocentese com janela pericárdica e terapia de reposição hormonal com levotiroxina.

Case study of pericardial and pleural effusion accompanied by hemodynamic compromise whose etiology was attributed, through an exclusionary diagnosis, to hypothyroidism secondary to radioiodine ablation two months before the clinical condition. The treatment consisted of pericardiocentesis with pericardial window and hormone replacement therapy with levothyroxine.

Pericardite aguda e crônica / Acute and chronic pericarditis

A pericardite é a forma mais comum das doenças do pericárdio e pode se apresentar nas formas aguda e crônica. Frequentemente é idiopática e de evolução benigna. Quando não, as causas mais comuns são tuberculose, neoplasias malignas e doenças autoimunes. O diagnóstico clínico requer a presença de dor precordial típica, atrito pericárdico, elevação difusa do segmento ST e derrame pericárdico. Os exames laboratoriais incluem: ECG, ecocardiograma, RX do tórax e marcadores de inflamação e necrose miocárdica Procedimentos adicionais e internação devem ser considerados para o pacientes de maior risco. Os marcadores de risco são febre >38ºC, evolução subaguda, derrame pericárdico volumoso ou tamponamento cardíaco e ausência de resposta ao tratamento com anti-inflamatórios. O tratamento da pericardite deve ser focar a causa específica, quando identificável. Genericamente, usa-se aspirina ou anti-inflamatórios não hormonais para os casos de etiologia viral ou idiopáticos. A colchicina pode ser útil como droga adicional nos casos recorrentes. A pericardiocentese está indicada nos pacientes com tamponamento cardíaco, quando há chance elevada de tuberculose, pericardite purulenta ou neoplasia. A pericardiectomia fica reservada para os casos de pericardite constrictiva crônica.

Pericarditis is the most common form of pericardial diseases and most of the cases are idiopathic and and follow a benign course. Major nonidiopathic etiologies include tuberculosis, neoplasia and autoimmune diseases.The clinical diagnosis is confirmed when the following criteria are present: typical chest pain, pericardial friction rub, widespread ST-segment elevation, and pericardial effusion. Tests for pericarditis include ECG, echocardiogram, chest radiography and inflammation markers. High-risk patients need tests for etiology search and hospitalization. High-risk patients present fever >38oC, a subacute course, large pericardial effusion or cardiac tamponade and/or failure of antiinflammatory drugs.Treatment should target the specific etiology, if known. Generically, aspirin or a non-steroid anti-inflammatory drug is used for treatment of viral and idiopathic pericarditis. Colchicine is recommended as adjunct therapy for recurrent events. Pericardiocentesis is indicated for cardiac tamponade, high suspicion of tuberculosis, purulent pericarditis or neoplasia. Pericardiectomy is recommended for persistent constriction.

Tamponamento cardíaco e hipotireoidismo: relato de caso e revisão de literatura

Neste artigo é descrito o caso de uma paciente de 63 anos, que chegou ao serviço de emergência apresentando sinais clínicos de tamponamento cardíaco, secundário a um derrame pericárdico volumoso. Na investigação complementar constatou-se hipotireoidismo como etiologia do derrame. O objetivo deste artigo é discutir as implicações clínicas, diagnóstico e tratamento do derrame pericárdico secundário ao hipotireoidismo.

Tamponamento cardíaco e hipotireoidismo: relato de caso e revisão de literatura / Cardiac tamponade and hypothyroidism: case report and literature review

Neste artigo é descrito o caso de uma paciente de 63 anos, que chegou ao serviço de emergência apresentando sinais clínicos de tamponamento cardíaco, secundário a um derrame pericárdico volumoso. Na investigação complementar constatou-se hipotireoidismo como etiologia do derrame. O objetivo deste artigo é discutir as implicações clínicas, diagnóstico e tratamento do derrame pericárdico secundário ao hipotireoidismo.

rare case of situs inversus with dextrocardia, Lutembacher syndrome, and pericardial effusion

Incidence of congenital cardiac anomalies in dextrocardia with situs inversus is low as compared to congenital cardiac anomalies in isolated dextrocardia. We describe the first ever case of situs inversus with dextrocardia, Lutembacher's syndrome, and pericardial effusion. The pericardial effusion in our case was acquired and was tubercular in etiology

Hemopericardium Following Acupuncture

Acupuncture-related hemopericardium is a rare but potentially fatal complication. We describe a hemopericardium that occurred shortly after acupuncture in a 55-year-old woman. A chest CT scan and echocardiography revealed a hemopericardium, and pericardiocentesis was then immediately and successfully performed. Subsequently, her clinical course improved. This case increases the attention of emergency physicians for acupuncture-related complications, especially hemopericardium, and the necessity of rapid diagnosis and management.

Hemopericardium Following Acupuncture

Acupuncture-related hemopericardium is a rare but potentially fatal complication. We describe a hemopericardium that occurred shortly after acupuncture in a 55-year-old woman. A chest CT scan and echocardiography revealed a hemopericardium, and pericardiocentesis was then immediately and successfully performed. Subsequently, her clinical course improved. This case increases the attention of emergency physicians for acupuncture-related complications, especially hemopericardium, and the necessity of rapid diagnosis and management.

Mediastinal haemangioma with pericardial effusion: A rare entity.

Mediastinal haemangioma is a rare benign vascular tumour. A young male presented with complaints of cough and dyspnoea. Serial chest radiographs were suggestive of progressive mediastinal widening and cardiomegaly. Pericardiocentesis revealed haemorrhagic fluid which was negative for microbiology and malignant cells. Patient was unresponsive to antituberculosis treatment and steroids. Computed tomography (CT) of thorax revealed an anterior mediastinal mass lesion with pericardial effusion which on biopsy was found to be a mediastinal haemangioma.