Thyrotoxic Cardiomyopathy: A Rare Case of Thyroid Storm Presenting as De Novo Heart Failure.

Thyroid storm and heart failure represent formidable challenges in clinical practice. Their coexistence, however, poses an even greater threat to the patient's well-being. To facilitate early recognition and appropriate management, an understanding of the complex interplay between these two conditions is crucial. Through comprehensive assessment, vigilant monitoring, and prompt intervention, outcomes can be improved and the morbidity and mortality mitigated. We present a rare case of a 40-year-old male who presented with severe de novo heart failure and a concurrent thyroid storm. Despite an initial left ventricular systolic ejection fraction of 20% and evidence of global dilatation and hypokinesis on echocardiography, appropriate management resulted in improved clinical status and ultimately recovery of cardiac function.

Kawasaki Disease in a Young Adult: A Case Report and a Review of the Literature.

This case report describes a 21-year-old female who was diagnosed with Kawasaki disease (KD), a rare condition in adults. Careful clinical assessment, including the history of a recent upper respiratory tract infection and the physical findings of fever, sinus tachycardia, strawberry tongue, and skin peeling of the hands and feet, prompted further evaluation. Laboratory findings supported an inflammatory process, and multidisciplinary consultations led to the diagnosis of KD. Prompt treatment with acetylsalicylic acid and intravenous immunoglobulin resulted in rapid improvement and prevention of the severe complications associated with untreated KD, particularly in the cardiovascular system. This case emphasizes the importance of the high risk of suspicion and the need for a comprehensive evaluation in atypical presentations of KD in adults, where early recognition and management are crucial to prevent long-term sequelae such as coronary artery aneurysms and myocardial infarction.

Atypical Presentation of a Type A Aortic Dissection in a Patient With an Undiagnosed Genetic Predisposition.

A 60-year-old female with a past medical history of hypertension presents to the ED with one day of throbbing left knee pain with associated numbness that worsened with ambulation. EKG shows lateral T-wave inversions with no prior for comparison. The patient had bloodwork drawn and a chest x-ray ordered. Her pain was improving with acetaminophen, and during further workup, she went into cardiac arrest. The advanced cardiac life support protocol was initiated, the patient was intubated, and point-of-care ultrasound revealed pericardial effusion. Despite all her efforts, she couldn't regain consciousness and was pronounced dead. An autopsy confirmed that the patient suffered a type A aortic dissection (AD), with findings indicating a predisposing genetic component. This case confirms that type A AD can present with different clinical symptoms and that a high index of suspicion is crucial in providing lifesaving measures.

Anomalous Right Coronary Artery Clinical Presentations and Considerations.

Anomalous coronary artery presenting as syncope or acute decompensated heart failure complicated by cardiogenic shock is a relatively rare finding. Here, two unusual presentations are described in which an anomalous right coronary artery (RCA) with interarterial course was found following an initially negative workup. The first case describes a 71-year-old male with known non-ischemic cardiomyopathy presenting with acute decompensated heart failure and cardiogenic shock. The second case highlights a 44-year-old female presenting with intermittent angina and recurrent syncope of unknown etiology. These two cases suggest that the anatomy of coronary arteries and their anatomical variants may play a crucial role in the development of adverse cardiovascular outcomes. Utilizing cardiac computed tomography angiography with a lower threshold in patients presenting with cardiac signs, symptoms, and risk factors would lead to earlier detection of these anatomic anomalies and intervention either medically or surgically for potentially improved long-term outcomes.

Myocardial Bridging of Mid-left Anterior Descending Artery (LAD) Presenting As Transient Left Bundle Branch Block During Nuclear Stress Test.

Transient left bundle branch block occurring during a nuclear stress test in the setting of myocardial bridging is a relatively rare finding. We report a case of a 75-year-old male who presented with typical stable angina. Serial troponins were negative, and the electrocardiogram revealed normal sinus rhythm with left ventricular hypertrophy and T-wave inversions in the lateral leads. The nuclear stress test was non-ischemic but showed a transient left bundle branch block associated with chest pain and shortness of breath that occurred right after the administration of regadenoson. Coronary angiography revealed non-obstructive coronary artery disease and a mid-LAD myocardial bridge.

The Role of Triglycerides in Atherosclerosis: Recent Pathophysiologic Insights and Therapeutic Implications.

Triglycerides have long been recognized as a cardiovascular disease risk factor. However, their precise role in atherosclerosis and potential utility as a therapeutic target remains debated topics. This review aims to shed light on these aspects by exploring the complex relationship between triglycerides and atherosclerosis from pathophysiological and pharmacological perspectives. Triglycerides, primarily carried by chylomicrons and very low-density lipoproteins, play an essential role in energy storage and utilization. Dysregulation of triglyceride homeostasis and triglyceride- rich lipoproteins metabolism often leads to hypertriglyceridemia and subsequently increases atherosclerosis risk. Triglyceride-rich lipoproteins remnants interact with arterial wall endothelial cells, get retained in the subendothelial space, and elicit inflammatory responses, thereby accelerating atherogenesis. Despite the clear association between high triglyceride levels and increased cardiovascular disease risk, intervention trials targeting triglyceride reduction have produced mixed results. We discuss a range of triglyceride-lowering agents, from fibrates to omega-3 fatty acids, with a focus on their mechanism of action, efficacy, and major clinical trial outcomes. Notably, the role of newer agents, such as angiopoietin-like protein 3 and apolipoprotein C3 inhibitors, is also explored. We highlight the challenges and controversies, including the ongoing debate on the causal role of triglyceride in atherosclerosis and the discordant outcomes of recent clinical trials. The potential confounding effects of associated risk factors, such as elevated apolipoprotein B, insulin resistance, and metabolic syndrome, are considered. In conclusion, this review underscores the importance of a nuanced approach to understanding the role of triglycerides in atherosclerosis and their potential as a therapeutic target. Further research is needed to unravel the complex interplay between triglycerides, triglyceride-rich lipoproteins, and associated factors in atherosclerosis pathogenesis and refine triglyceride-targeted therapeutic strategies.