Teenager Presenting With Chest Pain and ST-Segment Changes on Electrocardiogram After SARS-CoV-2 Illness: Early Repolarization vs. Acute Pericarditis.

The ST-segment elevation is commonly associated with acute myocardial Infarction. However, there are other non-ischemic causes of ST-elevation. Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is a highly contagious illness that continues to plague the world since the first case was reported in China over two years ago. As cases of the diseases become rampant, we have learned more of its complications which can include cardiac and pericardial disease. We present a case report of a young African American male who presented with chest pain six weeks after being diagnosed with SARS-Cov-2 pneumonia. Electrocardiogram (EKG) showed ST-segment changes that were initially presumed to be acute pericarditis. The patient was initially treated with colchicine. After further workup and a second opinion, ST-segment changes were thought to be likely benign early repolarization changes rather than pericarditis. Differential diagnosis of ST-segment changes on EKG in the patient with chest pain is broad. Subtle findings on EKG are important in distinguishing these differentials and should be well known and understood.

Coincidence or connection? A patient with concurrent Lane Hamilton Syndrome and idiopathic membranous nephropathy.

Lane Hamilton Syndrome is the rare association of idiopathic pulmonary hemosiderosis and Celiac Disease. The definitive pathophysiologic link is unknown, but the syndrome has been described as co-occurring along with other diseases. We describe the first reported case of Lane Hamilton Syndrome and idiopathic membranous nephropathy. We also hypothesize the possibility of an immune-mediated connection between the pathologies and propose a potential link of the phospholipase A2 receptor.

AL type cardiac amyloidosis: a devastating fatal disease.

INTRODUCTION: Cardiac amyloidosis is a rare entity with a grave prognosis. Due to the low index of suspicion secondary to non-specific symptoms, it is often diagnosed at an advanced stage with multi-organ involvement. METHODS: We report a case of systemic AL amyloidosis with predominant cardiac and renal involvement associated with multiple myeloma. CASE SUMMARY: A 60-year-old male presented with progressive anasarca, orthopnea and weight gain over 8 months. On clinical examination, 3+ pitting edema was found in bilateral extremities and scrotum. Serum N-type proBNP and troponin T were elevated, and EKG showed diffuse low voltage QRS, right axis deviation, and 1st degree AV block. Echocardiography revealed granular myocardium, biventricular hypertrophy, bi-atrial dilation and apical sparing pattern on global longitudinal strain which was suggestive of cardiac amyloidosis. Light chain assessment showed elevated kappa and lambda chains with kappa to lambda ratio of 16.2. Endomyocardial biopsy revealed AL type cardiac amyloidosis, and bone marrow biopsy confirmed the diagnosis of multiple myeloma. He received six cycles of bortezomib, cyclophosphamide, and dexamethasone but continued to deteriorate. He experienced an episode of cardiac arrest following which he had a return of spontaneous circulation but due to poor prognosis, the family opted for pursuing comfort measures only. CONCLUSIONS: Cardiac involvement in AL type amyloidosis imparts significant morbidity and mortality. The management of cardiac amyloidosis entails a multidisciplinary approach with an emphasis on cardiology and oncology. Despite the novel diagnostic modalities and treatment regimens, the outcome for AL-type cardiac amyloidosis remains poor.

Rare case of pancrelipase therapy-induced neutropaenia.

A 61-year-old man was transferred to our facility from an outside hospital due to refractory neutropaenia of unknown aetiology. The patient presented to the referring hospital with a 5-day history of worsening diarrhoea and abdominal pain. Initial lab results at presentation showed severe neutropaenia with an absolute neutrophil count of 0. Investigations included a bone marrow biopsy which showed slightly hypocellular marrow with near absence of granulocytic precursors. A CT without contrast showed evidence of chronic pancreatitis and acute colitis. The patient's neutropaenia persisted despite granulocyte colony-stimulating factor therapy. The patient was, thus, transferred to our facility for a higher level of care. At our facility, the patient had rapid correction of neutropaenia after discontinuation of pancrelipase therapy. The patient's abdominal pain and diarrhoea also improved while off pancrelipase. Neutropaenia has completely resolved 6 weeks after discharge without any further therapy.

BUDESONIDE-INDUCED HYPEROSMOLAR HYPERGLYCEMIC STATE FOLLOWING TRANSJUGULAR INTRAHEPATIC PORTOSYSTEMIC SHUNT.

OBJECTIVE: Recognize a rare endocrinological side effect of a drug, budesonide, which surfaced as a result of a major procedure. METHODS: We describe a patient who presented with hyperglycemic hyperosmolar state (HHS) likely as a result of the bypass of first-pass metabolism due to budesonide treatment after a transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) procedure. RESULTS: A 62-year-old female with history of combined variable immunodeficiency complicated by colitis (managed by 9 mg budesonide by mouth daily) and refractory ascites secondary to non-cirrhotic portal hypertension (status post-TIPS 3 weeks prior) presented to the hospital with HHS. Her initial insulin requirements were high but improved after discontinuation of budesonide. She was able to be transitioned to a sliding scale and discharged on metformin. When taken orally, budesonide is subject to high first-pass metabolism resulting in minimal systemic effects. Development of HHS and dramatic insulin requirements within 3 weeks of TIPS with drastic improvement following the discontinuation of budesonide leads us to postulate that this was bypassed, leading to steroid-induced diabetes. CONCLUSION: The case beckons us to be mindful of procedures that alter drug metabolism and make necessary adjustments to prevent complications.