Extensive coil embolization of a giant coronary artery aneurysm in an octogenarian: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Coronary artery aneurysms (CAA) are often diagnosed incidentally on coronary angiography or imaging modalities done for other reasons. 'Giant' CAA by definition exceeds 20 mm in diameter or four times the diameter of normal coronary artery. The management of patients with CAAs is challenging due to poorly understood mechanism, variable presentation, and lack of clear-cut societal recommendations. Though conservative management is preferred in asymptomatic patients, massive size or interval growth may make intervention necessary. CASE SUMMARY: We describe a case of successful coil embolization of a giant coronary aneurysm in an elderly 84-year-old male. Patient, who presented for a follow-up computed tomography angiography to evaluate a previously repaired abdominal aortic aneurysm 2 years back, was found to have interval growth of right coronary artery aneurysm from 4 cm in diameter to 7 × 8 cm in its greatest dimensions. The rationale for treatment was to prevent sudden death from continued growth and eventual rupture of aneurysm in addition to potential risk of thromboembolism and compression of adjacent structures. DISCUSSION: This case demonstrates the safe and successful use of extensive coil embolization technique to treat a 'giant' CAA in an elderly patient when surgical risks were prohibitive.

A Rare ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction Mimic or a True Event?

The etiology of ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) is either rupture or erosion of unstable plaque with subsequent thrombosis. With the widespread use of plaque-stabilizing lipid-lowering therapies (statins), plaque erosion, rather than rupture, now accounts for most cases of acute coronary syndromes (ACS). In the spectrum of ACS, STEMI usually results from the total occlusion of the culprit epicardial coronary artery, leading to the occlusion of blood flow to the affected myocardium. The differential diagnosis of ST-elevations on electrocardiograms are broad. However, an elevated cardiac marker, evidence of wall motion abnormality on echocardiogram or positive stress testing makes an alternate diagnosis less likely. This prompts emergent coronary angiography with an intent to fix the underlying cause. In some cases like ours, when the clinical suspicion of STEMI is high, the coronary angiography may be unrevealing of the diagnosis.

Triple Valve Replacement in a Patient with Severe Combined Aortic and Mitral Stenosis.

With recent advancements and evidence in favor of transcatheter approach for valve replacements including valve-in-valve procedures, it has become a favorable choice particularly in critically ill patients. Additionally, transcatheter mitral valve-in-valve replacement (TMViVR) is emerging as a less invasive substitute for patients with early dysfunctional bioprosthetic valve. We describe the clinical course of a 52-year-old male whose initial presentation to the hospital for dyspnea on exertion secondary to combined severe aortic and mitral stenosis got complicated requiring three valvular replacement procedures with favorable outcomes.

Biventricular metastatic invasion from cervical squamous cell carcinoma.

Metastasis to the heart has been previously described with primary lung and breast carcinoma, lymphoma, leukaemia, mesothelioma and melanoma. However, left-ventricular cardiac metastasis from primary cervical squamous cell carcinoma is poorly described. This report describes the clinical presentation of a patient with cardiac metastatic invasion from cervical cancer.

Safety of computed tomography in patients with cardiac rhythm management devices: assessment of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration advisory in clinical practice.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the safety of computed tomography (CT) imaging in patients with cardiac rhythm management (CRM) devices, which was subject to an advisory from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2008. BACKGROUND: The FDA warned about potential interference of CT imaging with CRM devices and made recommendations for clinical practice despite only limited evidence. METHODS: All 516 CT scans that involved direct radiation exposure of CRM devices (332 defibrillators, 184 pacemakers) at 2 large-volume centers between July 2000 and May 2010 were included. The primary outcome was a composite endpoint of death, bradycardia or tachycardia requiring termination of the scan or an immediate intervention, unplanned hospital admission, reprogramming of the device, inappropriate defibrillator shocks, or device replacement/revision thought to be due to CT imaging. Significant changes in device parameters were sought as a secondary outcome (control group 4:1 ratio). RESULTS: The main finding was that none of the CTs were associated with the primary outcome. With serial device interrogations, there were no differences in changes in battery voltage or lead parameters between devices exposed to radiation and their controls. Potentially significant changes in device parameters were observed in a small group of devices (both the CT group and control group), but no definitive link to CT was confirmed, and there were no associated clinical consequences. CONCLUSIONS: The findings suggest that the presence of CRM devices should not delay or result in cancellation of clinically indicated CT imaging procedures, and provide evidence that would be helpful when the FDA advisory is re-evaluated.