An Intramyocardial Mass Mimicking ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarct at Presentation.

ST-segment elevation on the electrocardiogram typically indicates acute myocardial infarction but can mimic ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction in various conditions. We present a case of a patient with an intramyocardial mass and anterior ST-segment elevation without significant myocardial biomarker elevation. Multimodality imaging was crucial in revealing cardiac metastasis as the attributable cause.

"A Double Twist" Presentation - A Case Report of Purulent Cardiac Tamponade following a Rare Complication of Small-Cell Lung Cancer Radiotherapy.

Background: Small cell lung cancer is an aggressive tumor with a poor prognosis that requires prompt treatment. While radiotherapy may enhance survival when superior vena cava syndrome is present, radiation therapy-induced pericardial disease can be a potential complication. Case Report: A 55-year-old man, who recently underwent radiotherapy for stage IV small-cell lung cancer complicated by superior vena cava syndrome, presented with chest pain and dyspnea. In the emergency room, he was dyspneic, hypotensive, and tachycardic. Pulmonary auscultation revealed the absence of lung sounds on the right. The initial electrocardiogram showed ST-segment elevation in lateral leads and in lead DII, with reciprocal changes in lead DIII. A bedside transthoracic echocardiogram revealed cardiac tamponade and emergent pericardiocentesis was performed, removing 500 ml of purulent fluid, resulting in an immediate clinical improvement. Thoracentesis was also performed, showing no empyema. Large spectrum empirical antibiotic therapy was started. Cultures from the pericardial fluid and peripheral blood grew multi-sensitive Streptococcus pneumoniae. Cytological analysis of the pericardial fluid was consistent with infection. The patient improved after 2 weeks of targeted antibiotic therapy and underwent the first cycle of chemotherapy. He was discharged with an early scheduled pulmonology appointment. Conclusions: Although the most common causes of pericardial effusion in lung cancer are malignant, non-malignant etiologies should also be considered. This patient had an infectious pericardial effusion most probably due to a pericardial-mediastinal mass fistula caused by radiotherapy. This was a diagnostic challenge, both in the emergency room as well in the inpatient setting. LEARNING POINTS: Small cell lung cancer is a fast-growing cancer that exhibits aggressive behavior.In patients with lung cancer, malignant pericardial effusions are more common than non-malignant ones.Purulent pericardial effusions, especially those due to lung cancer, are rare in developed countries with very few reports in the literature.

Hybrid Cardiac Telerehabilitation After Acute Coronary Syndrome: Self-selection Predictors and Outcomes.

Aims: To evaluate the effectiveness of a hybrid cardiac telerehabilitation (HCTR) program after acute coronary syndrome (ACS) on patient quality of life (QoL) and physical activity indices throughout phases 2-3 and establish predictors for hybrid program self-selection. Methodology: This single-centre longitudinal retrospective study included patients who attended a cardiac rehabilitation program (CRP) between 2018-2021. Patients self-selected between two groups: Group 1 - conventional CRP (CCRP); Group 2 - HCTR. Baseline characteristics were registered. EuroQol-5D (EQ-5D) and International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) were applied at three times: T0 - phase 2 onset; T1 - phase 3 onset; T2 - 3 months after T1. Results: 59 patients participated (Group 1 - 27; Group 2 - 32). We found significant between-group differences regarding occupation (p=0.003). Diabetic patients were less likely to self-select into HCTR (OR=0.21; p<0.05). EQ-5D visual analogue scale and IPAQ result significantly improved between T0-T2 only for HCTR (p=0.001; p=0.021). Conclusions: HCTR was superior to CCRP on physical activity indices and QoL of ACS patients.

Recognizing a "Hot Phase" of An Arrhythmogenic Left Ventricular Cardiomyopathy: A Case Report.

A 35-year-old male, with a medical history of acute myocarditis, presented with palpitations. Further investigation revealed non-sustained ventricular tachycardia and a slightly reduced left ventricular systolic function. Cardiac magnetic resonance showed extended late gadolinium enhancement of the left ventricle and fat infiltration. Genetic testing was positive for a pathogenic desmoplakin mutation, fulfilling the criteria of arrhythmogenic left ventricular cardiomyopathy. In conclusion, the authors described a case of a mimicked acute myocarditis at a young age in a patient with an arrhythmogenic left ventricular cardiomyopathy. Therefore, the genetic study is essential for both diagnosis and management.

Immunoglobulin G4-related constrictive pericarditis and the importance of a thorough workup: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Constrictive pericarditis remains a problematic diagnosis and a thorough investigation is critical. Among possible aetiologies, immunoglobulin-G4 (IgG4)-related pericardial disease is an unusual cause of pericardial constriction. We report a challenging diagnostic case of pericardial constriction due to IgG4-related disease. CASE PRESENTATION: A 68-year old male with a history of inferior myocardial infarction with right ventricle (RV) involvement was thrice-hospitalized due to marked ascites and peripheral oedema. Systemic congestion was initially attributed to RV dysfunction due to previous infarction. Yet, at the final admission, a re-assessment echocardiogram followed by cardiac computed tomography, magnetic resonance and right heart catheterization raised a possible diagnosis of constrictive pericarditis with a finding of abnormal pulmonary venous return. Patient therefore underwent pericardiectomy and surgical correction of pulmonary venous return. Pericardium histology revealed an IgG4-related pericardial constriction. Patient was later discharged on corticosteroids with marked symptomatic improvement. CONCLUSION: IgG4-related disease remains a rare cause of pericardium constriction while also presenting a challenging diagnosis in everyday clinical practice. This case exemplifies the difficulties faced by clinicians when reviewing a possible case of constrictive pericarditis, while highlighting the importance of a multimodality assessment.

[The Age of Multidrug Resistance: Ten Year Incidence in a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit]. / A Era da Multirresistência: Incidência em Dez Anos Numa Unidade de Cuidados Intensivos Neonatais.

INTRODUCTION: The emergence of multidrug-resistant bacteria is a medical challenge nowadays. The objective of the present study was to determine the incidence of multidrug-resistant bacteria infections in a neonatal Intensive Care unit. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Retrospective, descriptive, incidence study of infectious episodes by multidrug-resistant bacteria from 2008 to 2017 in a differentiated perinatal support unit. RESULTS: Sixty-four infectious episodes included (median gestational age of 28 weeks and birth weight of 885 g). The isolated bacteria were: Enterobacteriaceae (n = 46); Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (n = 12); Acinetobacter baumannii (n = 4); Pseudomonas aeruginosa (n = 2). A risk factor was identified in 90.6% of the episodes, with emphasis on central catheter (89%) and previous antibiotic therapy (78%). The lethality rate of these infections was 10.9% (Unit mortality rate: 4.4%). The overall incidence rate was 3.2 infectious episodes/100 hospitalizations, corresponding to 1.7 episodes/1000 days of hospitalization. There were three infectious outbreaks, with an increasing impact of Enterobacteriaceae. DISCUSSION: The reported incidence rate reflects a risk population, hospitalized in an Intensive Care unit, over a long period of time. The distribution of isolated bacteria, with Enterobacteriaceae predominance, is in accordance with the shift in multidrug resistance reported worldwide. The outbreaks point to the need of understanding risk factors and means of local dissemination. The relevance of these infections is evident in their lethality rate, which is higher compared to that of general hospital infections. CONCLUSION: The incidence rate reflects the local dimension of the problem, representing a quality indicator which is relevant for controlling these infections.

Introdução: A emergência de bactérias multirresistentes constitui um desafio médico na atualidade. O objetivo do presente estudo foi determinar a incidência das infeções por bactérias multirresistentes numa unidade de Cuidados Intensivos Neonatais. Material e Métodos: Estudo de incidência, retrospetivo, descritivo dos episódios infeciosos por bactérias multirresistentes, de 2008 a 2017, numa unidade de apoio perinatal diferenciado. Resultados: Incluíram-se 64 episódios infeciosos (medianas - idade gestacional: 28 semanas; peso ao nascimento: 885 g). As bactérias isoladas foram: Enterobacteriaceae (n = 46); Staphylococcus aureus meticilino-resistente (n = 12); Acinetobacter baumannii (n = 4); Pseudomonas aeruginosa (n = 2). Identificou-se um fator de risco em 90,6% dos episódios, destacando-se cateter central (89%) e antibioticoterapia prévia (78%). A taxa de letalidade associada foi 10,9% (taxa de mortalidade unidade: 4,4%). A incidência global foi 3,2 episódios infeciosos/100 internamentos, correspondentes a 1,7 episódios/1000 dias de internamento. Verificaram-se três surtos infeciosos com impacto crescente de Enterobacteriaceae.Discussão: A taxa de incidência descrita reflete uma população de risco, internada numa unidade de Cuidados Intensivos e num período longo de tempo. A distribuição das bactérias isoladas evidencia a evolução da multirresistência relatada internacionalmente, com predomínio crescente de Enterobacteriaceae. A ocorrência de surtos aponta para a necessidade de perceber fatores de risco e meios de disseminação local. A relevância destas infeções está patente na taxa letalidade, superior às infeções hospitalares em geral. Conclusão: A taxa de incidência reflete a dimensão local do problema, constituindo um indicador de qualidade, relevante para o controlo destas infeções.