Cardiac Sarcoidosis Presented With Hiccups: A Case Report and Literature Review.

Sarcoidosis is a multisystem disorder of unknown etiology commonly associated with hilar lymphadenopathy and granulomas. Cardiac involvement is less common; however, sarcoidosis is a known cause of restrictive cardiomyopathy. It typically presents as new-onset arrhythmias or heart failure, although cases of sudden cardiac death have been reported. We present a case of a 56-year-old male with a known history of pulmonary sarcoidosis, not on active treatment, who presented to the emergency department with a week of continuous hiccups every few seconds associated with non-exertional dyspnea. An initial computed tomography (CT) scan of the chest showed multiple stellate-like ground-glass opacities and the progression of bronchiectasis. Troponins were negative. On the initial electrocardiogram (EKG), he was found to be in atrial flutter and was admitted to the medical floor. Cardiology was consulted for suspected cardiac sarcoidosis, and they recommended transfer to the tertiary care center for further evaluation. Upon arrival, the patient underwent catheter ablation for atrial flutter and returned to sinus rhythm after the procedure. The initial nuclear scan with gallium was not suggestive of cardiac sarcoidosis. However, subsequent cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed cardiac involvement. Due to the high risk of arrhythmias, the patient was scheduled for implantable cardioverter defibrillator placement before discharge. The patient was given oral prednisone. The patient was discharged in stable condition, and interrogation of the device found it well functioning, and no significant arrhythmias were noted. Presentation of cardiac sarcoidosis can be variable, and any should be considered in any patient with a known history of sarcoidosis who presents with atypical symptoms above the diaphragm, such as hiccups or with new-onset arrhythmias.

Hypertension in the Setting of Hypertrophic Obstructive Cardiomyopathy and Cocaine Use.

Hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy (HOCM) is most commonly an inherited genetic condition where hypertension can be challenging to treat as many antihypertensive medications cannot be used in this patient population. Any agent that decreases preload or afterload should be avoided in this condition, leaving beta-adrenergic receptor antagonists as the preferred agent of choice in these patients. However, a patient with HOCM and cocaine use can pose a significant challenge due to the risks associated with initiating beta-adrenergic receptor antagonists in cocaine users because of the unopposed alpha receptor effect of the treatment, which would in turn cause worsening hypertension. The fact that cocaine itself causes hypertension further complicates the issue. The only remaining class of medications that can be used are non-dihydropyridine calcium channel blockers, which may not be effective on their own against the vasoconstrictive properties of cocaine. Hence, it is paramount to educate all patients with HOCM to avoid cocaine use even more so than other patients.

Efficacy and Safety of Stem Cell Therapy in Advanced Heart Failure Patients: A Systematic Review with a Meta-analysis of Recent Trials Between 2017 and 2019.

Objective The effects of stem cell therapy in patients with advanced heart failure is an ongoing debate. This study aimed to assess the effectiveness and safety of stem cell therapy plus the standard of care as compared to the placebo plus the standard of care in advanced heart failure patients. Methods A comprehensive keyword search of PubMed between 2017 and 2019 was performed to extract trials conducted with stem cell therapy controlled with placebo in advanced heart failure. We included randomized controlled trials (RCTs) with data on safety and efficacy in patients with advanced heart failure after stem cell transplantation. Results Six RCTs, consisting of 569 patients, were selected. Three-hundred sixty-seven (367) out of 369 participants from the eligible four out of six RCTs were included for efficacy analysis, as we lost two patients from the final analysis due to early death. Five-hundred twenty-six (526) out of 527 participants from the eligible five out of six RCTs were included for safety analysis, as we lost one patient from the final analysis for not being able to receive the intervention. Stem cell transplantation significantly improved left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) by 4.58% (95% CI: 3.73-5.43%; p = 0.00001), improved left ventricular end-systolic volume (LVESV) by -5.18 ml (95% CI: -9.74 to -0.63 ml; p =0.03), and there was no difference in the risk of all-cause mortality (OR 0.97; 95% CI: 0.52 to 1.78%; p = 0.91). The above results correlate with the previous meta-analysis data conducted in 2016. Conclusions This meta-analysis provided the cumulative efficacy and safety results of stem cell transplantation in advanced heart failure based on recent RCTs. The above results suggest that stem cell therapy was associated with a moderate improvement in LVEF, and the safety analysis indicates no increased risk of mortality in patients with advanced heart failure. This meta-analysis recommends conducting more RCTs comparing stem cell transplantation and placebo with a larger patient population and longer follow-up.

Urinary bladder paraganglioma presenting as micturition-induced palpitations, dyspnea, and angina.

BACKGROUND: Sympathetic urinary bladder paragangliomas are rare catecholamine-secreting neuroendocrine tumors arising from neural crest cells. They are uncommon urinary bladder neoplasms. Symptoms classically include micturition-related or unrelated palpitations and syncope with hypertension, headaches, diaphoresis, and hematuria. Other than being attributable to vasovagal reactions, micturition-induced cardiovascular symptoms should prompt a search for catecholamine-secreting tumors such as a urinary bladder paraganglioma, as in this case. CASE REPORT: A 45-year-old asthmatic African-American female presented with episodic hematuria that began 4 years ago and episodes of micturition-induced palpitations, dyspnea, substernal tightness, sweating, and throbbing headaches. Computed tomography with contrast revealed an enhancing mass along the anterior urinary bladder wall, measuring 2.4×3.5 cm. On Positron emission Tomography with [18F] fluorodeoxyglucose integrated with computed tomography (18F-FDG PET/CT), the urinary bladder mass was 18F-FDG avid. Serum normetanephrine and supine plasma norepinephrine were significantly elevated and there was mild elevation of supine plasma epinephrine. Transurethral resection of the bladder mass revealed a neoplasm with microscopic features and immunohistochemical profile positive for synaptophysin and chromogranin, with negative screening cytokeratin AE1/AE3, suggesting a paraganglioma. Following resection of the paraganglioma, there was complete resolution of micturition-induced cardiovascular symptoms on long-term follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Micturition-related cardiovascular symptoms are commonly attributed to vasovagal reactions. However, urinary bladder pathologies must be ruled out as a cause, as in this rare case of a urinary bladder paraganglioma exhibiting catecholaminergic symptoms.

Trazodone and omeprazole interaction causing frequent second-degree Mobitz type 1 atrioventricular (AV) block (Wenckebach phenomenon) and syncope: a case report and literature review.

BACKGROUND: This case report highlights serious cardiovascular adverse effects with a conventional dose of trazodone as a result of its potential interaction with omeprazole. CASE REPORT: A 54-year-old man who was a former smoker, with dyslipidemia, coronary artery disease, and anxiety disorder developed lightheadedness and syncope the morning of admission. He was taking trazodone 50 mg daily, omeprazole 20 mg daily, and simvastatin 20 mg at bedtime. He doubled the dose of trazodone 50 mg on the night prior to presentation to calm his anxiety. An electrocardiogram revealed sinus rhythm at 60 beats per minute and second-degree Mobitz type 1 atrioventricular (AV) block with 5:4 AV conduction. Results of basic metabolic panel, thyroid-stimulating hormone, and chest radiograph were normal. A transthoracic echocardiogram revealed aortic valve sclerosis. We tested for Lyme disease given his history of hunting in the woods 8 months prior to presentation, but the titer was negative. Trazodone and omeprazole were discontinued. By the 3rd day of medication discontinuation, all symptoms had resolved and the frequency of second-degree AV Mobitz type 1 AV block had decreased to once per hour. CONCLUSIONS: Due diligence and meticulous attention to detail needs to be exercised to uncover drug interactions as potential causes of lethal and nonlethal patient symptomatology, as in this case of syncope caused by concomitant use of trazodone and a widely prescribed medication, omeprazole.