An Unusual Case of Impending Paradoxical Embolism Through a Patent Foramen Ovale in Renal Cell Carcinoma.

Impending paradoxical embolism (IPDE) is a clinical emergency with adverse outcomes. Due to its rarity, larger research cannot be obtained to provide definitive therapy alternatives. We report a case of a tumor embolus from a renal cell carcinoma (RCC) that caused a right atrial mass, pulmonary embolus, and impending paradoxical embolus via a patent foramen ovale (PFO) and its management.

Left ventricle pseudoaneurysm: Diagnosis by a new murmur.

Incomplete rupture of the ventricle free wall can occur after myocardial infarction. This occurs when an organized thrombus and the pericardium seal the ventricular perforation. This can progress to the formation of a left ventricle pseudoaneurysm (LVPA). A 70-year-old male with an antero-septal ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) underwent an emergent left heart catheterization which revealed severe three-vessel disease with occluded grafts, non-amenable to re-vascularization, and an apical thrombus. As he was high-risk for repeat coronary artery bypass graft, he was medically managed. Transthoracic echocardiogram (TTE) showed a normal left ventricle ejection fraction (LVEF), apical anterior and inferior wall akinesis, moderate sized apical thrombus, and pericardial thickening. On hospital day 7, examination revealed a new 3/6 to-and-fro murmur that was loudest at the apex. The patient was asymptomatic with normal vital signs. A repeat TTE revealed an apical wall rupture with flow into the pericardial cavity and absence of the apical thrombus. A LVPA was diagnosed and the patient was immediately referred for surgical repair. This case illustrates the potential for developing LVPA in STEMI patients and the importance of physical examination. If identified early a potential emergent situation in a previously asymptomatic patient can be averted, thereby preventing fatal consequences. .

Acquired haemophilia A: an unusual postoperative complication.

An African-American man aged 65 years with multiple malignancies in remission was admitted for small bowel obstruction. He was treated with laparotomy following failure of conservative management. Postoperatively, he developed intra-abdominal bleed, which persisted, despite surgical haematoma evacuation. Further haematological workup revealed isolated prolongation of activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) with reduced factor VIII (FVIII) activity and raised FVIII inhibitor titre. Assuming acquired haemophilia A (AHA), FVIII inhibitor bypassing activity and corticosteroids were started with subsequent resolution of the bleeding from the surgical site. The patient remained free of bleeding episodes at 3-month follow-up and the aPTT normalised. This case report highlights the association of surgery with AHA and summarises the treatments with underlying mechanisms.

Rhabdomyolysis secondary to influenza a infection: a case report and review of the literature.

CONTEXT: Rhabdomyolysis is a serious clinical syndrome that results from damage to skeletal muscles. Common causes include drugs, crush injuries, seizures, heat, exertion, and infection. Viral infections, particularly Influenza A, have been recognized as a cause of rhabdomyolysis. CASE REPORT: Our report describes a 58-year-old male who presented with viral pneumonia secondary to Influenza A virus infection. His hospital course was complicated by acute renal failure secondary to rhabdomyolysis, which was attributed to an overwhelming viremia. We discuss the differential diagnosis of rhabdomyolysis and review the literature for cases of Influenza A-related rhabdomyolysis. We also discuss the proposed mechanisms for the condition. CONCLUSION: The scope of clinical manifestations of Influenza A infection extends beyond pulmonary syndromes. Rhabdomyolysis is being increasingly recognized as a complication of Influenza A infection with considerable morbidity and mortality.

Failure of communication and capture: The perils of temporary unipolar pacing system.

We present a case of a patient with pacemaker dependence secondary to complete heart block who developed loss of capture of her temporary pacemaker. Patient developed torsades de pointes then ventricular fibrillation, requiring CPR and external cardioversion. After patient was stabilized, it was noticed that loss of capture of pacemaker corresponded with nursing care, when the pulse generator was lifted off patient׳s chest wall, and that patient׳s temporary pacing system had been programmed to unipolar mode without knowledge of attending cardiologist. This case highlights the importance of communication ensuring all caregivers are aware of mode of the temporary pacing system.

Acute Liver Failure after Initiation of Rivaroxaban: A Case Report and Review of the Literature.

CONTEXT: Rivaroxaban is a direct factor Xa inhibitor approved for the prevention of thromboembolism. Drug induced liver injury has been increasingly reported with rivaroxaban recently, but actual liver failure has not been reported. CASE REPORT: We present a case report on the probable occurrence of acute liver failure with rivaroxaban therapy. An 89 year old woman with history of atrial fibrillation was hospitalized for biventricular congestive heart failure with passive congestion of liver, which responded to furosemide. She was discharged home on rivaroxaban for prevention of thrombo-embolism. Liver function tests upon discharge returned to almost normal range. One week later, she presented with abdominal pain and was found to have highly elevated liver enzymes, elevated bilirubin, and an abnormal coagulation profile. A day later, she developed hepatic encephalopathy, suggesting liver failure. CONCLUSION: Liver enzymes declined rapidly with the discontinuation of all of her medications, however patient died because of multi-organ failure. The causality assessment in this patient was "probable" with rivaroxaban.

Ventricular standstill: An uncommon electrophysiological abnormality caused by profound vagal tone.

CONTEXT: Ventricular standstill (VS) is an uncommon electrophysiological phenomenon and usually manifests as syncope. Rarely has a case been reported where the patient has been totally asymptomatic, and it has resolved spontaneously. CASE REPORT: We report a case of complete VS and high-degree atrioventricular (AV) block in a 50-year-old female, who was admitted for nausea, vomiting, and chest pain. The patient never had a syncopal episode, even though she was in VS for more than 10 s. CONCLUSION: Such degree of conduction abnormality without any syncope has not been reported so far. Her electrophysiological abnormality was attributed to profound vagotonic effect and was treated with a permanent pacemaker.