Myocarditis Presenting as ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction.

When evaluating a patient with ST-segment elevation on ECG and acute chest pain, providers often rapidly arrive at the diagnosis of ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). As myocardial infarction is deadly and time is of the essence in establishing reperfusion, it is reasonable to place it at the top of the differential. However, doing so should not come at the expense of conducting a thorough clinical evaluation, considering all causes of ST-segment elevation, and creating a comprehensive differential. Myocarditis, in particular, can present similarly to myocardial infarction and misdiagnosis can lead to unnecessary and sometimes harmful interventions such as thrombolytic therapy, vasodilator therapy, or coronary angiography. We present a case of myocarditis mimicking STEMI and discuss diagnosis and treatment of myocarditis.

A Case of Concurrent Tricuspid Valve, Mitral Valve, and Device Endocarditis.

Endocarditis involving multiple valves is a relatively rare phenomenon, and much about its etiology, prognosis, and best practices for treatment remains uncharacterized. Currently, the treatment of multiple-valve endocarditis is similar to that of single-valve endocarditis. However, limited data suggest that patients may potentially benefit from different treatment approaches not yet clearly defined. Here, we present a unique case of a 22-year-old female with a history of aortic coarctation repair and a ventricular septal defect (VSD) patch repair who presented to the emergency department (ED) after acute onset of fever, chills, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. The patient was admitted to the ICU with septic shock and was found to have concurrent mitral valve, tricuspid valve, and VSD patch endocarditis. We discussed her hospital course and treatment as well as current treatment approaches to multiple-valve endocarditis.

Secundum Atrial Septal Defect Closure via the Transhepatic Approach in a Patient With Situs Ambiguus and a Left-Sided Inferior Vena Cava.

Secundum atrial septal defect (ASD) is the most common type of ASD. Symptoms including dyspnea on exertion usually manifest in the third and fourth decade of life. The transcatheter closure is the treatment of choice for secundum ASD. The transfemoral venous approach has been the mainstay. However, this approach can be challenging or impossible in patients with congenital absence or interruption of the inferior vena cava (IVC). The latter has been reported in patients with situs ambiguus and inversus. In this patient population, other forms of venous access such as the transjugular or transhepatic approach are used. We present a unique case of symptomatic secundum ASD in a patient who was incidentally found to have situs ambiguus with a left-sided intact IVC. An initial attempt at the ASD closure via the transfemoral approach was unsuccessful due to acute angulation. A repeat attempt was successful via the transhepatic approach with the guidance of real-time ultrasound, transesophageal echocardiogram, and the involvement of an interventional radiologist. The procedure was well tolerated without any complications. Repeat transthoracic echocardiogram with agitated saline the day after the procedure was negative for interatrial shunting.

QT Independent Ventricular Tachycardia Induced by Arsenic Trioxide.

Arsenic trioxide (ATO) is commonly known to cause QT prolongation with resultant ventricular tachycardia (VT). VT, independent of QT prolongation, can be a complication of ATO. We present a 46-year-old female who received ATO and during her hospital course had intermittent nonsustained VT. All usual causes of VT were considered including reduced EF < 35%, ischemia, electrolyte abnormalities, medications, and genetic polymorphisms; however, no specific cause was found. After stopping therapy, the episodes of nonsustained VT ceased indicating that there is an association between ATO and VT.

A Unique Case of Testicular Plasmablastic Lymphoma in a Patient with Human Immunodeficiency Virus.

Plasmablastic lymphoma (PBL) is a rare, aggressive, diffuse large B-cell lymphoma usually arising in the oral cavity of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) patients. Here we describe a patient with HIV who presented with cutaneous nodules that were biopsied and found to be positive for PBL, but whose primary source was found to be testicular. This is the first reported case of a patient with HIV who presented with cutaneous nodules that tested positive for PBL, but whose primary source of neoplasm was found to be testicular.

A Unique Case of Midvariant Reverse Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy.

Takotsubo cardiomyopathy, also known as stress cardiomyopathy, is known to have 4 variants: apical, midventricular, basal, and focal. Here, we report the 2nd case of reverse midvariant (midventricular) stress cardiomyopathy and the 1st case of reverse midvariant takotsubo cardiomyopathy with apical thrombus.

A Rare Presentation of Clozapine-Induced DRESS Syndrome.

Drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS syndrome) is an uncommon side effect of certain medications. It causes a skin reaction, with eosinophilia and other organ involvement. This case describes a presentation of a 32-year-old female with a past medical history significant for schizophrenia and bipolar disorder who presented for a rash. She had been started on clozapine 10 days prior to admission. After extensive workup she was found to have DRESS syndrome secondary to clozapine use. This is the second reported case in the literature of clozapine-induced DRESS syndrome. This case is unique because it is the first case to present with the common manifestations of DRESS syndrome including eosinophilia, rash, lymphadenopathy, and organ involvement after clozapine use.

A Rare Manifestation of Asymptomatic Ebstein's Anomaly with Tricuspid Valve Endocarditis.

Ebstein's anomaly is a rare congenital heart disease that presents with apical displacement of the septal and posterior leaflets of the tricuspid valve. It has a wide spectrum of clinical presentations and has been shown to manifest itself any time from birth to adulthood. Our patient is a 43-year-old male with a history of intravenous heroin abuse who presented to the emergency department with worsening shortness of breath and lower extremity edema. He denied any prior cardiac history. A transthoracic echo showed normal left ventricular function, but a large 2.2 × 2.1 cm echodensity on the septal leaflet of the tricuspid valve consistent with vegetation with severe tricuspid regurgitation and probable leaflet perforation. It also demonstrated severe right heart enlargement with atrialization of the right ventricle and apical displacement of the tricuspid valve consistent with Ebstein's anomaly. This is a rare case of an adult who presented with asymptomatic Ebstein's anomaly. There have been few reports of tricuspid valve endocarditis with Ebstein's anomaly in the literature. To our knowledge, this represents the fifth reported case of a new diagnosis of Ebstein's anomaly in the setting of endocarditis and the second case of Ebstein's anomaly and endocarditis in an intravenous drug abuser.

Manifestation of non-ST elevation myocardial infarction due to hyperthyroidism in an anomalous right coronary artery.

INTRODUCTION: Anomalous origin of the right coronary artery (RCA) from the left coronary cusp of the aorta is a moderately rare but potentially life-threatening incident. Myocardial infarction (MI) and sudden cardiac death have been described with this anomaly, especially in those who engage in excessive exercise. However, this case study shows this incidence in association with hyperthyroidism. CASE DESCRIPTION: A previously healthy 51-year-old female with history of hypothyroidism presented with acute onset chest pain for 1 day. Patient's electrocardiogram was normal, however, she had elevated troponins and given her typical chest pain, she was diagnosed with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). The patient had been on levothyroxine and was found to have a subnormal thyroid-stimulating hormone level suggesting hyperthyroidism. Echocardiogram was normal. Coronary angiogram showed an anomalous RCA arising from the left coronary cusp of the sinus of Valsalva and no evidence of atherosclerosis. A coronary computed tomography angiogram was done confirming this finding and showed a slit-like deformity of the coronary ostium with at least 50% luminal stenosis. The patient was referred to a cardiothoracic surgeon for potential coronary artery bypass graft. DISCUSSION: This case illustrates a rare presentation of ACS due to hyperthyroidism in an anomalous RCA. MI is a rare manifestation of hyperthyroidism, but in combination with an anatomical defect, it can potentiate adverse outcomes. The mechanisms by which thyroid hormones influence cardiovascular hemodynamics are by causing a hyperdynamic circulatory state, increasing myocardial oxygen demand, and increasing the risk of coronary vasospasm. The combination of anatomic and metabolic defects is what likely precipitated this patient's outcome.