Calcific Uremic Arteriolopathy in End-Stage Renal Disease: A Rare Life-Threatening Condition.

Calcific uremic arteriolopathy, or calciphylaxis, is a highly morbid, life-threatening syndrome of microvascular calcification leading to progressive skin necrosis. It affects 1-4% of the population with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) and is rarely seen in other conditions. The one-year mortality rate is 80% for patients with ulcerations. There is no evidence-based treatment, and the response to therapy is poor; thus, it creates a serious therapeutic challenge for clinicians. Our aim is to discuss a diagnostic approach and management of calciphylaxis and to raise awareness about this condition among the medical community. We are describing a case of calciphylaxis in a 68-year-old female with a past medical history of ESRD on hemodialysis, who presented with altered mental status and painful ulcers on her feet and thighs. The patient was admitted for acute encephalopathy due to sepsis secondary to a urinary tract infection (UTI) versus permacath-related bacteremia versus wound infection of pressure ulcers on the lower extremities. Broad-spectrum antibiotics were started. Computed tomography (CT) of bilateral thighs with contrast showed extensive arterial calcifications, characteristic of calciphylaxis. Nephrology recommended sodium thiosulfate with each hemodialysis session. Vitamin D and iron were discontinued. Despite therapy, the wound significantly progressed within the next eight weeks, leading to mortality due to sepsis. In conclusion, calcific uremic arteriolopathy is a challenging disease with a poor prognosis. Early diagnosis is crucial, so aggressive therapy can be started immediately. A multidisciplinary approach may improve survival in cases of calciphylaxis. More studies are needed to improve the diagnostic approach and medical management of the disease.

The Simultaneous Occurrence of Acute ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction, Acute Ischemic Stroke, and Pulmonary Embolism.

Acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), acute ischemic stroke (AIS), and acute pulmonary embolism (PE) are life-threatening conditions, each posing a high risk of morbidity and mortality. When all three of these acute conditions occur simultaneously, the overall prognosis for the patient becomes considerably worse. We report a case of a 70-year-old woman who presented to the emergency department (ED) with a triad of acute STEMI, AIS, and PE as a consequence of atherosclerotic heart disease, atrial fibrillation, and a prolonged transatlantic flight. The diagnoses were promptly confirmed through emergent coronary and cerebral angiography, along with a computerized tomography pulmonary angiogram (CTPA). The patient underwent a combination of medical therapy and endovascular thrombectomy. However, she later developed a subarachnoid hemorrhage and eventually progressed to brain death.

Brain Abscess Caused by Nocardia farcinica in a Young Immunocompetent Patient.

Cerebral nocardiosis is a rare opportunistic infectious disease that occurs mainly in immunocompromised hosts; however, immunocompetent patients may be affected too. It often results in the formation of intraparenchymal brain abscess, which represents only 2% of all cerebral abscesses. The overall mortality rate exceeds 20% in immunocompetent patients and 55% in immunocompromised patients. Bacteriological diagnosis is often confirmed only after the surgical excision of the abscess. Thus, the initiation of effective therapy is frequently delayed. Our goal is to highlight a diagnostic approach to cerebral nocardiosis in an immunocompetent patient with the purpose of accelerating the initiation of the appropriate therapy. We report a rare case of brain abscess caused by Nocardia farcinica in a 39-year-old male, a resident of New York City, USA, with a past medical history of intravenous (IV) drug use, who was admitted for altered mental status. The patient was cachectic and ill-appearing. Initial laboratory tests showed neutrophilic leukocytosis. Computed tomography (CT) of the head revealed a large ill-defined multilobulated mass of size 6 × 5 × 4.5 cm in the right cerebral hemisphere, which was confirmed with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The hospital course was complicated by the deterioration of mental status requiring endotracheal intubation. The patient underwent a right-sided hemicraniectomy; a wound culture identified Nocardia farcinica. The patient was started on intravenous (IV) Bactrim, which caused an allergic reaction. Thus, he was switched to IV imipenem-cilastatin. After E-test was performed, the patient was switched to oral linezolid. The initiation of targeted antibiotic therapy was crucial for the management of this patient and resulted in a good clinical outcome. In conclusion, cerebral nocardiosis, being an unusual and a potentially fatal infection, should be considered in the differential diagnosis of brain abscess even in immunocompetent hosts. Prompt bacteriological diagnosis helps to initiate a specific antimicrobial therapy. Long-term antimicrobial therapy and long-term follow-up are necessary to prevent relapse.

Left Ventricular Noncompaction Cardiomyopathy in an Elderly Patient: A Case Report and Literature Review.

Isolated left ventricular noncompaction cardiomyopathy (LVNC), also known as spongy myocardium, is an extremely rare congenital disorder belonging to unclassified cardiomyopathies by the World Health Organization and classified as a genetic cardiomyopathy by the American Heart Association. Adult prevalence is 0.017-0.26% in observational echocardiographic studies. The disease occurs due to the intrauterine arrest of normal myocardial compaction, leading to left ventricular dysfunction. Reported mortality is high, ranging from 35 to 47% over a 42- to 72-month follow-up period. Knowledge regarding proper diagnosis, morbidity, and prognosis is limited; thus, this disease is subdiagnosed. Our aim is to highlight a diagnostic approach to LVNC in an elderly patient and to stress specific diagnostic signs that make the disease more recognizable. We are reporting a case of noncompaction cardiomyopathy in a 62-year-old male without any significant past medical history who was referred to our clinic for arrhythmia evaluation. The patient had several brief episodes of palpitations over the past two months. On physical examination, he presented a blowing systolic murmur at the apex and an irregularly irregular rhythm. The 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG) demonstrated atrial fibrillation and ST-T segment depression in the V4-V6 leads. A transthoracic echocardiogram (TTE) showed signs of dilated cardiomyopathy, severe eccentric left ventricular hypertrophy, decreased contractility with an ejection fraction (EF) <30%, moderate mitral and tricuspid regurgitations, and moderate pulmonary hypertension. Multiple prominent trabeculations were noticed in the middle and apical segments of the left ventricle. The noncompacted to compacted myocardium ratio was >2.5:1. Cardiac catheterization excluded ischemic heart disease. Cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging confirmed the diagnosis of LVNC. The patient started treatment with carvedilol, ramipril, verospiron, torasemide, and rivaroxaban. An implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) was recommended. In conclusion, the diagnosis of LVNC in the adult population is often delayed because of similarities with more frequently diagnosed diseases. TTE is the initial diagnostic test of choice. Additional imaging modalities (contrast echocardiography, CMR) can help confirm the diagnosis. Early diagnosis is crucial because of the high incidence of life-threatening complications related to heart failure, thromboembolic events, and ventricular arrhythmias. Additional prospective studies are needed to improve the management and outcomes of this rare cardiomyopathy.

Asymptomatic Left Atrial Myxoma Treated With Minimally Invasive Surgical Approach.

Myxomas, being the most common primary benign tumor among all cardiac tumors, occur rarely with a very low incidence rate. Myxomas can cause various clinical manifestations or can be diagnosed incidentally. Some patients with cardiac myxomas are completely asymptomatic. Cardiac myxomas cause life-threatening complications, thus early diagnosis is imperative. We are reporting a case of atrial myxoma in a 38-year-old female without any significant past medical history, who came to our clinic for cardiology evaluation prior to plastic surgery. The elliptical mobile mass, located in the left atrium with its attachment to the interatrial septum, was diagnosed by transthoracic echocardiography. The patient was referred for surgery and a minimally invasive surgical approach was chosen. A histological report confirmed the diagnosis of myxoma. The patient recovered well. Three years of follow-up did not reveal any signs of recurrence of the tumor. We are also analyzing 20 previously published cases of asymptomatic myxomas and myxomas treated with a minimally invasive surgical approach, reported in the PubMed database for the last 20 years (2001-2021) in the adult patient population (age 19 and over). The aim of this study is to highlight the asymptomatic presentation of cardiac myxomas and to underline the advantages of a minimally invasive surgical approach. In summary, asymptomatic cardiac myxomas are rare incidental findings. Attention to subtle symptoms during a physical exam and scrupulous history-taking can provide a clue to this diagnosis. Early diagnosis of cardiac myxomas is crucial to prevent life-threatening complications. Minimally invasive surgery is a promising alternative approach to standard open-heart surgery for treating cardiac myxomas, providing faster recovery and higher patient satisfaction with surgical care.