RESUMEN
Leukocytoclastic vasculitis (LCV) is a small-vessel vasculitis characterized by inflammation and damage to the walls of small blood vessels. It typically presents with palpable purpura and can be associated with various systemic conditions. Although its etiology is diverse, LCV has been associated with systemic diseases, infections, medications, and autoimmune disorders. Here, we present a case of LCV in a patient with decompensated heart failure. A 58-year-old man presented with progressively deteriorating swelling in both his lower limbs and scrotum, a persistent dry cough associated with minor ulcerative lesions on his shins, and a patchy rash with pustules and flat reddish spots. He was hospitalized three days prior due to atrial fibrillation and rapid ventricular rate, for which he was commenced on amiodarone. This rash persisted for three days, yet he denied experiencing any discomfort or itchiness along with it. Based on his clinical picture, laboratory evaluations, and imaging findings, he was diagnosed with LCV induced by amiodarone.
RESUMEN
Modern diabetic treatment has gone beyond glycemic control, with the choice of different medications to attain therapeutic targets also affected by the risk of long-term outcomes and safety profiles. The effect of diabetes on increased morbidity and mortality and its relationship to cardiovascular outcomes and coronary artery diseases have driven recent diabetes studies toward medications that improve cardiovascular outcomes and reduce all-cause mortality. This is attained by holistically treating cardiovascular complications in type 2 diabetic patients beyond glycemic control. Moreover, both diabetes and pre-diabetes are considered risk factors for both microvascular and macrovascular cardiac events. Despite the fact that initial research acknowledged fluid retention as a safety issue in pioglitazone use, clinical trial data have not presented conclusive proof of a positive or negative impact on cardiac function. This comprehensive literature review aims to evaluate the effect of pioglitazone on all-cause mortality, hospitalizations for heart failure, and major adverse cardiovascular outcomes, including the individual outcomes of non-fatal stroke, non-fatal myocardial infarction, and cardiovascular mortality.
RESUMEN
Hyperthyroidism is an endocrine disorder characterized by excess thyroid hormone production. Its classic symptoms include weight loss, palpitations, tremors, and anxiety. We present a case of a 33-year-old female who initially presented with anxiety-like symptoms, leading to a misdiagnosis of generalized anxiety disorder. Upon further evaluation, the patient was diagnosed with hyperthyroidism, highlighting the importance of evaluating endocrine causes in patients presenting with anxiety-like symptoms. This case report underscores the significance of a comprehensive medical evaluation in patients with anxiety to avoid misdiagnoses and ensure appropriate management.
RESUMEN
Vancomycin is a widely used tricyclic glycopeptide antibiotic for treating various Gram-positive infections, including Clostridium difficile colitis. Although considered generally safe, it has been associated with several side effects. In this case report, we highlight a rare adverse effect in which a patient experienced chronic photophobia following treatment with oral vancomycin. This sheds light upon a potential relationship between oral vancomycin therapy and photophobia, emphasizing the need for increased awareness in clinical practice and urging further investigation into this association.
RESUMEN
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune condition characterized by multi-organ involvement. The clinical presentation often varies from mild to moderate to severe. The cardiovascular system may also be affected, often portending a poor prognosis for patients. Although the relationship between SLE and cardiovascular disorders has been extensively explored through case reports and literature reviews, few systematic reviews explicitly focusing on this association have been conducted. In light of this, this systematic review aims to analyze the extent of the association between SLE and cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), by exploring the risk of developing CVDs, including myocardial infarction (MI), atherosclerosis, myocarditis, pericarditis and arrhythmias, in SLE patients vs. non-SLE patients. We followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines to perform the systematic review. A detailed search was done covering the period from March 2003 to March 2023 using three databases: PubMed, Google Scholar, and Cochrane. The PubMed search identified 597 articles, while Google Scholar and Cochrane searches yielded 559 and three articles, respectively. Of the 1159 articles retrieved, we chose eight for final consideration, after excluding papers that did not discuss the role of SLE in CVDs, papers published earlier than 2003, and papers with incomplete data. The eight studies chosen included two narrative reviews, two systematic reviews, and four observational studies. In this systematic review, SLE was proven to have a strong relationship with diverse CVDs, including rare ones scarcely discussed in the literature, such as vasculitis and aortic dissection. All eight of the final papers indicated a connection between SLE and CVDs, based on the systematic analysis of these articles, which revealed that most recent research supports a higher risk of peripheral arterial occlusive disease (PAOD), MI, pericarditis, myocarditis, and other cardiovascular disorders in individuals with SLE. These associations may have certain gray areas, as patient characteristics and comorbidities often affect the extent of illness and long-term prognosis. Larger-scale studies are required to probe this relationship further and research the etiopathogenesis involved in order to improve patient outcomes. The effects of SLE on the heart are, however, unequivocal.
