Clinically Suspected Exercise-Induced Myocarditis in a Patient With Vascular Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome.

Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS) is an inherited condition that affects connective tissue structures throughout the body. EDS type IV is a specific subset of EDS that targets vascular structures. Patients with EDS type IV can have a wide range of vascular disorders such as myocarditis and are advised to refrain from participating in contact sports and high-intensity physical exercises to avoid life-threatening cardiovascular conditions such as arterial dissection or rupture. In this report, we present the case of an EDS type IV patient with myocarditis secondary to exercise. The patient received supportive treatment including beta-blockers, bed rest, and refraining from intense physical exertion.

A Case of Ocular Syphilis in an HIV-Positive Patient With Penicillin Allergy.

Ocular syphilis has a wide range of presentations; however, the most common findings are ophthalmalgia, blurry vision, and erythematous conjunctiva. This report presents a case of ocular syphilis in a human immunodeficiency virus-positive patient with an allergy to penicillin. On presentation, the patient was diagnosed using a fluorescent treponemal antibody absorption test, in addition to rapid plasma reagin. In this case, the patient received alternative treatment with doxycycline prior to penicillin desensitization, with marked improvement of his symptoms.

Transient Global Amnesia Masquerading as Transient Ischemic Attack.

Transient global amnesia (TGA) is a rare self-limited syndrome characterized primarily by anterograde amnesia. It shares multiple characteristics with a transient ischemic attack and ischemic stroke, which carry a more ominous outlook. There is a debate with respect to what is sufficient for ruling out more serious pathologies. Additionally, there is data that challenge the historical view that TGA is a benign condition requiring no long-term management. Here, we present the case of a 70-year-old female who was admitted to a free-standing emergency room with confusion, memory loss, and hypertensive crisis that was diagnosed as TGA. The patient was evaluated by a neurologist and transferred to the hospital. The patient was discharged after more serious pathologies were excluded after an extensive workup. This scenario showcases how physicians have to balance the risk of serious diseases with the need for further testing. Future research should focus on how to accurately identify or rule out serious diseases leading to a reduction in adverse events and patient costs. It is also not clear if TGA is truly benign or has an association with stroke.

Post-COVID-19 Syndrome: A Novel Diagnosis.

Patients with post-COVID-19 syndrome have reported a wide array of symptoms that include autonomic dysfunction. It is hypothesized that this may be secondary to interruption of baroreflex pathways in the carotid arteries or nucleus tractus solitarius, however, confirming studies have yet to be performed. A limited number of studies have highlighted the presence of an exaggerated baroreflex response in patients with a post-COVID-19 syndrome that mirror other chronic autonomic dysfunction-related conditions.