THE CHATTERJEE PHENOMENON: A DEMONSTRATION OF CARDIAC MEMORY IN PACED RHYTHMS.

Introduction: While T-wave inversions (TWI) are associated with various pathologies, they are rarely associated with cardiac memory, termed the Chatterjee phenomenon. Case: A 76-year-old man with sick sinus syndrome with a pacemaker presented with chest tightness and new onset TWI in his precordial leads. On admission, he tested positive for COVID-19, but remained stable and only required minimal supplemental oxygen. His troponin was only slightly elevated, and EKG showed TWI throughout his precordial leads. A previous EKG had shown normal sinus rhythm without a paced rhythm or ST wave abnormalities. Interrogation of his pacemaker revealed an AV-paced rhythm. Given his chest tightness without dynamic changes in his troponin or EKG, the symptoms were considered more likely related to his COVID-19 infection, and he was discharged home. Discussion: Aberrancies in normal cardiac conduction can result in altered electrical activation, especially for those with AV pacemakers, leading some patients to develop cardiac memory, manifesting as TWI. Conclusion: AV-paced rhythm and narrow QRS complexes with TWI localized to precordial leads without evidence of active cardiac ischaemia may suggest cardiac memory, termed the Chatterjee phenomenon, requiring no invasive interventions. LEARNING POINTS: In patients with T-wave inversions, various conditions should considered in the differential diagnosis, including left bundle branch block and sick sinus syndrome, although T-wave inversions in V1-V3 are non-specific and benign.Cardiac memory, termed the Chatterjee Phenomenon, is one of the causes of T-wave inversions which is sometimes ignored.No invasive interventions are needed for T-wave inversions with the Chatterjee phenomenon.

Acute ischemic stroke as initial manifestation of undiagnosed iron deficiency anemia: case-report and literature review.

Cerebrovascular disease is the second leading cause of death in the United States in adults aged 65 years and older and is most commonly caused by atherosclerosis. More so, cryptogenic strokes account for one-third of all ischemic strokes. At the same time, iron deficiency anemia is prevalent worldwide and mostly affects females of childbearing age. Here we report a case of a 42-year-old female who presented with symptoms of acute ischemic stroke and was found to have severe iron deficiency anemia. After prompt investigation of other secondary causes, it was determined that her stroke was likely secondary to her iron deficiency anemia. Upon review of the literature, a few case reports showed an association between iron deficiency anemia and strokes in the adult population, but little evidence exists supporting a direct relationship between the two entities. In this case, we aim to evaluate the complex relationship between iron deficiency anemia and stroke and to define a new potential cause of ischemic stroke, which would have been considered earlier as cryptogenic. However, further studies in the future are warranted to validate our observation.

Ventricular fibrillation as an initial manifestation of cardiac sarcoidosis.

Cardiac sarcoidosis is a rare immunologically driven process seen in 2% to 5% of patients with systemic sarcoidosis. We present a 31-year-old woman who presented after a ventricular fibrillation cardiac arrest. A comprehensive diagnostic workup was unrevealing. Despite negative cardiac magnetic resonance imaging, positron emission tomography facilitated the diagnosis. This case illustrates both the limitations of the diagnostic workup of sarcoidosis and the usefulness of positron emission tomography in the early diagnosis of cardiac sarcoidosis.

Cardiac tamponade as a complication of bronchogenic cyst.

Bronchogenic cysts are rare incidental findings, but they can have life-threatening complications. Herein, we report a case of a 44-year-old man who presented with complaints of left-sided chest pain, intermittent dyspnea, and pink-tinged sputum. Computed tomography angiography of the chest revealed a large cystic mediastinal mass in the subcarinal location. During his hospital stay, the patient became hypotensive with jugular venous distention and muffled heart sounds on auscultation. A stat echocardiogram depicted a large pericardial effusion with early diastolic collapse of the right ventricle. Pericardiocentesis was performed for cardiac tamponade, followed by thoracotomy with removal of bronchogenic cyst. Herein, we highlight the relation between bronchogenic cysts and cardiac tamponade and review the surgical treatment options.