Disturbed Sleep is Not Good for the Heart: A Narrative Review.

Sleep-related breathing disorders, including obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and central sleep apnea (CSA), have a major impact on cardiovascular function. It has shown an association with hypertension, coronary artery disease, cardiac arrhythmias, sudden cardiac death, and congestive heart failure (CHF). This review focuses on highlighting the relationship between sleep apnea and CHF. We discuss the underlying pathophysiology, which involves the mechanical, neurohormonal, and inflammatory mechanisms; in addition, the similarities and differentiating clinical features of OSA in patients with CHF and without CHF. We have also discussed several treatment strategies, including weight loss, continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP), supplemental oxygen therapy, theophylline, acetazolamide, mandibular advancement device, and hypoglossal nerve stimulation (HGNS). We conclude that since there are several overlapping clinical features in patients with OSA with Heart Failure (HF) and without HF, early detection and treatment are crucial to decrease the risk of HF, coronary artery disease, and stroke.

Fungal infections following liver transplantation.

With increasing morbidity and mortality from chronic liver disease and acute liver failure, the need for liver transplantation is on the rise. Most of these patients are extremely vulnerable to infections as they are immune-compromised and have other chronic co-morbid conditions. Despite the recent advances in practice and improvement in diagnostic surveillance and treatment modalities, a major portion of these patients continue to be affected by post-transplant infections. Of these, fungal infections are particularly notorious given their vague and insidious onset and are very challenging to diagnose. This mini-review aims to discuss the incidence of fungal infections following liver transplantation, the different fungi involved, the risk factors, which predispose these patients to such infections, associated diagnostic challenges, and the role of prophylaxis. The population at risk is increasingly old and frail, suffering from various other co-morbid conditions, and needs special attention. To improve care and to decrease the burden of such infections, we need to identify the at-risk population with more robust clinical and diagnostic parameters. A more robust global consensus and stringent guidelines are needed to fight against resistant microbes and maintain the longevity of current antimicrobial therapies.

Current state of medical tourism involving liver transplantation-the risk of infections and potential complications.

Liver transplant has been shown to significantly improve mortality and quality of life in various liver diseases such as acute liver failure, end-stage liver disease, and liver cancer. While the organ transplant demand is continuing to rise, the organ donation supply remains unmatched. The organ shortage, high cost, and long waiting lists have stimulated a desire for routes that may be unethical. This process which is named transplant tourism is the term used to describe traveling to another country to purchase an organ for transplant. Liver transplant tourism has been associated with post-transplant complications and higher mortality compared to a domestic liver transplant. Improper pre-and post-transplant infectious screening, inadequate opportunistic infection prophylaxis, and loss to follow-up were noted in patients who travel abroad for a liver transplant. It is crucial to understand the risk of transplant tourism to prevent morbidity and mortality.

An unusual infection in an immunocompetent male from a non-endemic area: Lessons from a vacation.

Primary pulmonary histoplasmosis is found worldwide, and is particularly endemic in some areas of North America, usually those surrounding the Ohio and Mississippi river valleys. It is not common in the East Coast of the United States, and is in fact reportable in Pennsylvania. It has been rarely described in immunocompetent individuals residing in a non-endemic region. We present a case of a previously healthy middle-aged male, a Pennsylvania resident, who presented with mid-sternal chest discomfort, fatigue, chills and mild shortness of breath, and was diagnosed with primary pulmonary histoplasmosis.

Role of Phosphodiesterase-5 Inhibitors in Acute Right Ventricular Failure Due to Pulmonary Embolism.

BACKGROUND Sildenafil is a pulmonary vasodilator and its efficacy has been well established in patients with group 1 pulmonary hypertension. There are no established guidelines regarding its use in acute right ventricle failure. In our experience, it can be used as an adjunctive therapy in acute right ventricle failure due to pulmonary embolism, to reduce right ventricle afterload and hence improve size and function of the right ventricle. CASE REPORT This is a case report where sildenafil was used as a rescue agent to achieve improvement in the right ventricle size and function in a case of acute onset massive pulmonary embolism with acute right ventricle failure in the scenario where systemic thrombolytic therapy was contraindicated. CONCLUSIONS Improvement of right ventricle size and function was achieved using phosphodiesterase-5 Inhibitors in a case of acute right ventricle failure due to acute massive pulmonary embolism. There are no established guidelines regarding this clinical approach, however, given its efficacy in this case as adjunctive therapy in treatment of acute right ventricle, larger studies are needed to further establish its utility.

Revisiting Atrioventricular Nodal Ablation and Cardiac Pacing of Atrial Fibrillation in a Patient with Dextrocardia.

BACKGROUND Poorly controlled ventricular rate associated with atrial fibrillation (AF) leads to tachycardia-induced left ventricular dysfunction. Atrioventricular (AV) nodal ablation and cardiac pacing is the standard of care in refractory congestive heart failure (CHF) due to AF with moderate to rapid ventricular response that failed conventional medical therapy. If the patient is not a candidate for AF ablation with pulmonary vein isolation and elimination of AF foci, this is an effective approach, but it does have some challenges when done in a patient with dextrocardia and situs inversus. CASE REPORT Our patient was a 77-year-old woman with dextrocardia and situs inversus, with a history of permanent AF due to severe coronary artery disease (CAD), who suffered from recurrent CHF exacerbations from permanent AF with moderate to rapid ventricular response with underlying hypertensive cardiovascular disease. She was a poor candidate for pulmonary vein isolation because of her permanent AF status and high risk of recurrence. She underwent a technically challenging AV nodal ablation with cardiac pacing due to the complex anatomy, with drastic improvement of symptoms within the next 24 h. CONCLUSIONS AV nodal ablation with cardiac pacing is the standard of care in patients with refractory AF with moderate to rapid ventricular response who have failed medical therapy and are not candidates for pulmonary vein isolation.