SARS-CoV-2 dilated cardiomyopathy.

SARS-CoV-2 is an emerging cause of viral myocarditis that generates multiple complications, such as dilated cardiomyopathy. We describe a young, obese male patient with severe myocardial involvement by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, who presented with chest pain, elevated cardiac enzymes, non-specific electrocardiographic findings, echocardiogram with evidence of dilated heart disease with reduced ejection fraction, and subsequent verification using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The results of the cardiac MRI were typical of viral myocarditis. The patient did not respond to a short course of systemic steroids and the standard management for heart failure, had multiple re-admissions, and, unfortunately, died.

Comunicación interventricular post-infarto agudo de miocardio: una complicación inusual pero mortal / Ventricular septal defect after acute myocardial infarction: an unusual but life-threatening complication

Resumen Introducción: la revascularización temprana ha reducido la presencia de complicaciones mecánicas del infarto agudo de miocardio; la comunicación interventricular suele ocurrir entre el tercer y quinto día después del infarto. Se presenta el caso de un paciente poco usual y en quien los síntomas predominantes fueron principalmente gástricos. Descripción: paciente masculino de 65 años, con historia de hipertensión arterial, tabaquismo activo y consumo frecuente de alcohol, quien consultó por síntomas gastrointestinales y dolor torácico de características atípicas. En el examen físico se encontró un soplo holosistólico de predominio en los focos de la base. El electrocardiograma documentó QS en pared inferior, sin alteraciones del segmento ST-T, biomarcadores positivos y el ecocardiograma encontró disfunción sistólica, aneurisma del segmento basal y medio de la pared inferior con comunicación interventricular con flujo de izquierda a derecha. Fue llevado a coronariografía diagnóstica encontrándose enfermedad severa de dos vasos y luego fue intervenido quirúrgicamente para corrección de aneurisma ventricular, comunicación interventricular y bypass coronario. Conclusión: reconocer las manifestaciones clínicas atípicas del infarto agudo de miocardio y un examen físico bien realizado permiten identificar problemas muy serios, como las complicaciones mecánicas del infarto.

Abstract Introduction: early coronary revascularization has reduced the occurrence of mechanical complications of acute myocardial infarction; ventricular septal defect (interventricular communication) usually occurs between the third and fifth days after the event. We present an unusual case where the predominant symptoms were mainly gastrointestinal. Description: A 65-year-old male patient with a history of high blood pressure, active smoking and frequent alcohol consumption, consulted for gastrointestinal symptoms and chest pain with atypical characteristics. In the physical examination a holosystolic murmur with predominance in the foci of the base was found, the electrocardiogram documented QS in the inferior wall without alterations of the ST-T segment, positive cardiac biomarkers and the echocardiogram reported systolic dysfunction, basal and middle segment aneurysm of the lower wall, with ventricular septal defect with left to right flow. A diagnostic coronary angiography was performed founding two vessel severe disease, then the patient was surgically intervened for ventricular aneurysm correction, ventricular septal defect and coronary bypass. Conclusion: Recognizing the atypical clinical manifestations of acute myocardial infarction and a well-performed physical examination make it possible to identify serious problems such as the mechanical complications of infarction.

Metas de control de la presión arterial e impacto sobre desenlaces cardiovasculares en pacientes con diabetes mellitus tipo 2: un análisis crítico de la literatura / Blood pressure control and impact on cardiovascular events in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: A critical analysis of the literature

La hipertensión arterial en individuos con diabetes mellitus tipo 2 incrementa el riesgo de eventos cardiovasculares. Las guías internacionales de manejo recomiendan iniciar tratamiento farmacológico con valores de presión arterial >140/90 mmHg. Sin embargo, no existe un punto de corte óptimo a partir del cual se logre reducir los eventos cardiovasculares sin originar eventos adversos; un rango de presión arterial > 130/80 y < 140/90 mmHg parece ser el adecuado. Estos valores pueden alcanzarse mediante intervenciones no farmacológicas (dieta, ejercicio) y farmacológicas (por fármacos que hayan demostrado reducir eventos cardiovasculares). La elección de uno o varios fármacos debe ser individualizada, de acuerdo con factores como etnia, edad, comorbilidades asociadas, entre otros

High blood pressure in individuals with type2 diabetes mellitus increases the risk of cardiovascular events. The international management guidelines recommend starting pharmacological treatment with blood pressure values > 140/90 mmHg. However, there is no optimal cut-off point from which cardiovascular events can be reduced without causing adverse events. A blood pressure range of > 130/80 to < 140/90 mmHg seems to be adequate. These values can be achieved through non-pharmacological (diet, exercise) and pharmacological interventions (using drugs that have been shown to reduce cardiovascular events). The choice of one or several drugs must be individualised, according to factors including, ethnicity, age, and associated comorbidities, among others

Blood pressure control and impact on cardiovascular events in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: A critical analysis of the literature. / Metas de control de la presión arterial e impacto sobre desenlaces cardiovasculares en pacientes con diabetes mellitus tipo 2: un análisis crítico de la literatura.

High blood pressure in individuals with type2 diabetes mellitus increases the risk of cardiovascular events. The international management guidelines recommend starting pharmacological treatment with blood pressure values >140/90mmHg. However, there is no optimal cut-off point from which cardiovascular events can be reduced without causing adverse events. A blood pressure range of >130/80 to <140/90mmHg seems to be adequate. These values can be achieved through non-pharmacological (diet, exercise) and pharmacological interventions (using drugs that have been shown to reduce cardiovascular events). The choice of one or several drugs must be individualised, according to factors including, ethnicity, age, and associated comorbidities, among others.

Nodular Pulmonary Amyloidosis: A Manifestation of Sjögren's Syndrome.

CASE DESCRIPTION: A 72-year-old woman with primary Sjögren Syndrome (SS) was diagnosed during an inpatient hospital stay with dry symptoms. The patient had respiratory and constitutional symptoms, requiring a pulmonary imaging evaluation by high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) of the thorax. CLINICAL FINDINGS: Multiple cavitary pulmonary nodules, halo sign, and focal areas of ground-glass opacity with predominance in both bases were found in the images. Complementary studies were done where a neoplastic focus was ruled out. The diagnosis of nodular pulmonary amyloidosis was confirmed with a pulmonary biopsy performed by videothoracoscopy for histopathological study, which reported the formation of nodules in the parenchyma with amyloid deposits and positive immunohistochemical markers for CD3, CD20, and CD38 lymphocytic infiltration. TREATMENT AND OUTCOME: Initial inpatient management with intravenous cyclophosphamide and methylprednisolone was given. Subsequent outpatient management was given with high dose glucocorticoids. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: We presented a case of nodular pulmonary amyloidosis in a female patient with primary SS, which is a rare pulmonary manifestation of this syndrome.

Control of Blood Pressure and Cardiovascular Outcomes in Type 2 Diabetes.

High blood pressure in patients with diabetes mellitus results in a significant increase in the risk of cardiovascular events and mortality. The current evidence regarding the impact of intervention on blood pressure levels (in accordance with a specific threshold) is not particularly robust. Blood pressure control is more difficult to achieve in patients with diabetes than in non-diabetic patients, and requires using combination therapy in most patients. Different management guidelines recommend initiating pharmacological therapy with values >140/90 mm/Hg; however, an optimal cut point for this population has not been established. Based on the available evidence, it appears that blood pressure targets will probably have to be lower than <140/90mmHg, and that values approaching 130/80mmHg should be recommended. Initial treatment of hypertension in diabetes should include drug classes demonstrated to reduce cardiovascular events; i.e., angiotensin converting-enzyme inhibitors, angiotensin receptor blockers, diuretics, or dihydropyridine calcium channel blockers. The start of therapy must be individualized in accordance with the patient's baseline characteristics, and factors such as associated comorbidities, race, and age, inter alia.

Panhipopituitarismo secundario a metástasis del sistema nervioso central por un adenocarcinoma broncogénico / Panhypopituitarism secondary to metastasis of the central nervous system due to a bronchogenic adenocarcinoma

Resumen Mujer de 45 años de edad con antecedente de extabaquismo pesado, cursó con cuadro crónico de cefalea en región occipital irradiado a región temporal asociado a disminución de la agudeza visual de ojo izquierdo. El cuadro empeoró en los últimos seis meses y se asoció a polidipsia y poliuria. Presentó cuadro sincopal con amnesia retrógrada, para lo cual se realizó una tomografía axial computarizada (TAC) contrastada de cráneo que mostró múltiples lesiones parenquimatosas cerebrales y del cerebelo compatibles con metástasis. Se hizo estudio hormonal para evaluar la función hipofisiaria evidenciando un panhipopituitarismo secundario. Se detectó foco primario neoplásico mediante TAC contrastada de tórax, evidenciando una lesión espiculada en el lóbulo superior derecho sugestiva de carcinoma broncogénico, posteriormente se tomó biopsia por fibrobroncoscopia el cual confirmó por histopatología e inmunohistoquímica el diagnóstico de un adenocarcinoma broncogénico. (Acta Med Colomb 2018; 43: 115-118).

Abstract A 45-year-old woman with a history of heavy extabaquism presented with chronic headache in the occipital region irradiated to the temporal region associated with decreased visual acuity of the left eye. The picture worsened in the last six months and was associated with polydipsia and polyuria. She presented a syncopal picture with retrograde amnesia, for which a contrast computed tomography (CT) of the skull was performed, which showed multiple parenchymal brain and cerebellar lesions compatible with metastasis. Hormonal study was done to evaluate the hypophyseal function evidencing a secondary panhypopituitarism. A primary neoplastic focus was detected by a contrast chest CT scan, showing a spiculated lesion in the right upper lobe suggestive of bronchogenic carcinoma. A biopsy was subsequently taken by fibrobronchoscopy, which confirmed the diagnosis of a bronchogenic adenocarcinoma by histopathology and immunohistochemistry. (Acta Med Colomb 2018; 43: 115-118).