Primary Cardiac Epithelioid Angiosarcoma in a Latin American Patient: Case Report and Literature Review.

Cardiac angiosarcoma is a rare and clinically challenging pathology. It is a high-grade primary malignant tumor of the heart tissue that has many variants, of which the epithelioid variant is rarely present in the heart or the great vessels. As with many other cardiac tumors, it is mainly a diagnosis of exclusion and the initial diagnostic test is an echocardiogram followed by a biopsy with immunohistochemistry analysis to ascertain the type of tumor. The differential diagnosis of cardiac tumors is challenging due to the overlapping clinical manifestations with different cardiac tumors and systemic diseases. Cardiac angiosarcomas are often aggressive with a poor prognosis even with treatment. Herein, we present a case of the epithelioid variant of a cardiac angiosarcoma in addition to a thorough review of the recent literature on the clinical manifestation, diagnosis, and treatment of this type of tumors.

Immunohistochemical Diagnosis of Primary Cardiac Leiomyosarcoma in a Latin American Patient.

Primary cardiac malignancies are rare entities. Although sarcomas enclosed the main group of malignant heart neoplasms, primary cardiac leiomyosarcomas are extremely rare and constitutes less than 8% of cardiac tumors. Leiomyosarcoma usually originates from the pulmonary veins and have a worm-like shaped structure. In this article, we present a case of a 40-year-old Hispanic man diagnosed with a cardiac tumor who underwent surgical resection, during pathological examination the tissue samples were consistent with a malignancy of mesenchymal origin that contained irregular bundles of spindle cells. Subsequent immunohistochemical study categorized the mass as a primary heart leiomyosarcoma with positive smooth muscle actin and muscle specific actin. As usual in this type of malignancy, patient's clinical status declined overtime, recurrence was diagnosed two months after surgery, and four months after the procedure the patient was discharge for palliative care.

Extreme premature with persistent left superior vena cava.

Persistent left superior vena cava (PLSVC) is a congenital anomaly, that results when there is an absence of the normal regression of the left common precardinal vein during embryogenesis. Usually, this anomaly remains asymptomatic, however, when the PLSVC drains into the left atrium this could lead to a right-to-left shunt. Additionally, this can result in inadvertent delivery of air or thrombus into the systemic circulation with potential neurologic, cardiac and renal complications. In this article, we present a case of an extreme premature Mexican newborn in which the diagnosis was made after placement of a percutaneous central venues catheter.

Quadricuspid aortic valve: an unexpected echocardiographic finding.

Quadricuspid aortic valve (QAV) is an anatomic valvular variant, with a prevalence of 0.008% to 0.033% in the general population, and 1.46% in patients that undergo aortic valve replacement. The QAV can be an isolated valvular abnormality or associated with other congenital heart defects. In this article, we present three of the few reported cases of QAV in the Hispanic population, all of which were asymptomatic and without evidence of hemodynamic alterations or other associated heart defects. Additionally a literature review is provided.

Hypereosinophilic Syndrome: A Case of Fatal Löffler Endocarditis.

Hypereosinophilic syndrome (HES) is a rare disorder with unknown global prevalence, barely reported in Hispanic population, and characterized by persistent eosinophilia in association with organ dysfunctions directly attributable to eosinophilic infiltration. Cardiac involvement may be present in 50 to 60% of the patients. This is known as Löffler endocarditis. We present a case of a 36-year-old Hispanic man with signs of heart failure. Laboratory studies showed eosinophilia (23,100/µL). Thoracic computer tomography showed bilateral pleural effusion and a large left ventricular mass. Transthoracic echocardiography showed left ventricle apical obliteration and a restrictive pattern. Pulmonary angiography demonstrated a thrombus in the lingular and middle lobe. Despite treatment, the patient deceased seven days after admission. Autopsy confirmed the diagnosis of Löffler endocarditis.

Quadricuspid pulmonary valve associated with atrial septal defects and pulmonary stenosis.

A 1-month-old Hispanic female was referred to the cardiology service. During physical examination, a systolic ejection murmur at the pulmonic area was auscultated. The echocardiography evaluation of the pulmonary valve demonstrated a quadricuspid pulmonary valve (QPV) with slightly thickened leaflets, associated atrial septal defects and mild pulmonary stenosis. QPV is a rare congenital anomaly variant that can remain asymptomatic with few or non-hemodynamic alterations. Associations with structural or functional alterations have been reported. This is the first case of QPV that was diagnosed in a Hispanic newborn.

Hemodynamic changes in a pregnant patient with congenitally corrected transposition of the great arteries.

Congenitally corrected transposition of the great arteries (CCTGA) is a rare acyanotic heart disease. The evaluation of the hemodynamic alteration, before and after delivery, has been poorly reported. This case report is about a hispanic patient presented in the third trimester of pregnancy with a systolic murmur and a loud second pulmonary sound. Echocardiographic study revealed a CCTGA with dilatation of the morphologically right ventricle (RV), severe regurgitation of the tricuspid valve and secondary pulmonary hypertension without other heart defects. The patient had a full term pregnancy, without any complication before, during or after the childbirth.

Reacción a un tatuaje de henna negra tratado con furoato de mometasona y gel de silicona: Caso clínico / Reaction to a black henna tattoo treated with mometasone furoate and silicone gel: case report

Black henna tattoos have paraphenylenediamine (PPD), which contains a product of herbal origin, which due to its molecular characteristics is capable of inducing, in susceptible individuals, a type IV hypersensitivity reaction. It clinically manifests as a contact dermatitis that usually when it disappears, scarring and hypopigmentation are left in the injured area. Objective: To describe the case of a patient with hypersensitivity to henna tattoo and to present the most relevant phenomena associated with this condition. Case report: The case of a 6 year-old patient with a black henna tattoo on his right leg, who was diagnosed with contact dermatitis probably attributed to PPD, is presented. Mometasone furoate and topical silicone gel treatment was started with good response. Conclusion: Mometasone furoate and silicone gel are a good possible therapeutic option for treating contact dermatitis caused by PPD as the dermatosis was resolved without residual lesions.

Los tatuajes de henna negra son aquellos que contienen parafenilendiamina (PPD), que contienen un producto de origen herbal, que por sus características moleculares es capaz de inducir, en individuos susceptibles, una reacción de hipersensibilidad tipo IV. Se manifiesta clínicamente como una dermatitis de contacto, que generalmente al desaparecer, persiste de manera residual una cicatriz hipertrófica e hipopigmentación en la zona lesionada. Objetivo: Describir el caso de un paciente con hipersensibilidad al tatuaje de henna, y presentar los fenómenos más relevantes asociados a esta patología. Caso clínico: Paciente de 6 años de edad, que se realizó un tatuaje con henna negra en la pierna derecha, en quien se diagnosticó posteriormente una dermatitis de contacto atribuida probablemente a la PPD. Se comenzó tratamiento con furoato de mometasona y gel de silicona con buena respuesta por vía tópica. Conclusión: El furoato de mometasona y gel de silicona son una posible opción terapéutica de utilidad para tratar la dermatitis de contacto causada por el PPD, debido a que la dermatosis se resolvió sin lesiones residuales.

[Reaction to a black henna tattoo treated with mometasone furoate and silicone gel: case report]. / Reacción a un tatuaje de henna negra tratado con furoato de mometasona y gel de silicona: caso clínico.

UNLABELLED: Black henna tattoos have paraphenylenediamine (PPD), which contains a product of herbal origin, which due to its molecular characteristics is capable of inducing, in susceptible individuals, a type IV hypersensitivity reaction. It clinically manifests as a contact dermatitis that usually when it disappears, scarring and hypopigmentation are left in the injured area. OBJECTIVE: To describe the case of a patient with hypersensitivity to henna tattoo and to present the most relevant phenomena associated with this condition. CASE REPORT: The case of a 6 year-old patient with a black henna tattoo on his right leg, who was diagnosed with contact dermatitis probably attributed to PPD, is presented. Mometasone furoate and topical silicone gel treatment was started with good response. CONCLUSION: Mometasone furoate and silicone gel are a good possible therapeutic option for treating contact dermatitis caused by PPD as the dermatosis was resolved without residual lesions.

Lyophilized glutaraldehyde-preserved bovine pericardium for experimental atrial septal defect closure.

A variety of patch materials has been used to close large atrial septal defects (ASD). Autologous pericardium and glutaraldehyde-preserved bovine pericardium are the most used. Lyophilized bovine pericardium has not been tested inside the cardiovascular system. The aim of this work was to study the behaviour and effectiveness of lyophilized glutaraldehyde-preserved bovine pericardium in ASD closure. Sixteen mongrel dogs were operated on. A 3 cm diameter atrial septal defect was created, and closed with: Group I (n=8): Lyophilized glutaraldehyde preserved bovine pericardium (LGPBP). Group II (n=8): Vascular Dacron patch. The animals were evaluated clinically, by echocardiography, macroscopically, and microscopically. Statistical analysis was done with analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Student's t-test. All the animals survived the surgical procedure and study time (6 months). Clinically all the animals displayed normal physical activity, with normal cardiac sounds. Echocardiography showed that both groups had a normal heart without intracardiac shunts, no thrombus formation, and no vegetations. Macroscopically all the animals showed good integration of the lyophilized bioprosthesis and Dacron patch. All group I animals presented a decrease of the area of the ASD in the left atrium (p<0.001 by ANOVA and Student's t-test). Microscopically, group I presented dense and well-organized collagenous tissue, areas of cartilaginous metaplasia and remnants of the lyophilized bioprosthesis (p<0.001 by ANOVA and Student's t-test). Group II showed encapsulated Dacron patch covered with collagenous tissue and cartilaginous metaplasia. In conclusion, the new lyophilized bioprosthesis is well integrated into the atrial septum, without complications and is effective for ASD closure.

Fibrinólisis con microdosis de sptreptoquinasa en embolismo pulmonar. Reporte de tres casos / Fibrinolysis with microdose of streptokinase in pulmonary thromboemolism. Report of three cases

Se presentan los casos de tres pacientes portadores de embolismo pulmonar agudo con extensión de la oclusión igual o mayor al 25 por ciento del lecho vascular pulmonar, hemodinámicamente estables, sometidos a tratamiento anticoagulante más fibrinolítico con estreptoquinasa. La dosis de impregnación fue de 250,000 UI/1h y mantenimiento de 25,000 UI/h por 18 a 24 horas. Se practicó angiografía y registro de parámetros hemodinámicos pre y postrombólisis. Observándose reperfusión prácticamente total de los sitios afectados, y el comportamiento hemo-dinámico por el embolismo pulmonar masivo se catalogó como de mínima repercusión.

Indice terapéutico fisiológico en pacientes críticamente enfermos / Therapeutic physiological index in patients critically disease

Se estudiaron 51 pacientes internados en una unidad de terapia intensiva pediátrica. En ellos se hizo una valoración clínica derivada del índice de falla orgánica múltiple, que fue adaptada a las facilidades del hospital; ésta se identificó como índice terapéutico fisiológico (ITF). Se formaron dos grupos: uno con 14 pacientes que fallecieron y otro con 37 que sobrevivieron. Todos los pacientes fueron su propio control ya que se hicieron dos valoraciones: inicial y final. Resultados. La calificación inicial del índice en el grupo que sobrevivió fue de 18.3 ñ 6.9 y en el que falleció de 43.07 ñ 10.75, con una diferencia estadísticamente significativa (t = 1.9, p< 0.05). Las calificaciones finales del ITF en el grupo que sobrevivió fueron de 7.7 ñ 3.7 y para el grupo que falleció de 47.9 ñ 12.03. Al comparar las calificaciones inicial y final, éstas aumentaron; se encontró que en el grupo de pacientes fallecidos, el puntaje de calificaciones fue (t = 2.9 y p< 0.01). Los que sobrevivieron tuvieron una disminución de la calificación con respecto a los valores iniciales, (t = 10.27, p< 0.01). Se encontró una correlación entre la calificación de ITF y el número de fallas orgánicas. Conclusiones. El ITF discriminó desde la valoración inicial entre los pacientes que sobrevivieron y los que fallecieron. El valor crítico pronóstico fue de 37; los que fallecieron incrementaron su calificación y los que sobrevivieron la disminuyeron. Se propone una calificación límite de 20 para ingreso a una preterapia