When the gold standard is not always golden: The value of invasive hemodynamic assessment to overcome the pitfalls of echocardiography in challenging cases of mitral stenosis.

Mitral stenosis is a uncommon valvular lesion in the developed countries. Noninvasive evaluation is the first-line modality for assessment of mitral stenosis, however the noninvasive methods may have limitations in certain cases. Invasive hemodynamics can be used as adjunct tool for assessment of mitral stenosis in such difficult cases. Mitral valve using three-dimensional planimetry is a promising technique for assessment of mitral stenosis.

Quadricuspid aortic valve infective endocarditis.

Infective endocarditis complicating a quadricuspid aortic valve (QAV) is rare. Previous reports highlight the increased risk for complications, including progressive aortic regurgitation, decompensated heart failure, and valve perforation. Thus, cardiologists must be able to quickly identify QAVs to guide rapid evaluation and treatment. We report a case of infective endocarditis in a QAV identified on echocardiography and effectively managed with medical therapy alone without complications over an 8-year follow-up period. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Ultrasound 46:145-148, 2018.

Penetrating aortic ulcer leading to aortic dissection.

Rarely, penetrating atherosclerotic ulcers can rupture into the wall of the aorta, resulting in acute aortic dissection. This article describes a woman with an incidental diagnosis of type A aortic dissection secondary to a penetrating atherosclerotic ulcer of the ascending aorta. Although surgical repair of the aortic root was recommended, the patient refused treatment and left against medical advice.

Paradoxical Hemodynamic Instability After Pericardial Window.

Paradoxical hemodynamic instability (PHI), also called postoperative low cardiac output syndrome (LCOS), is a rare but fatal complication after drainage of a pericardial effusion (PEf). This condition usually develops within hours postprocedure and appears unrelated to the method of drainage. The exact mechanism of this condition is not well understood. We present a case of an 84-year-old patient with no previous cardiac or cancer history who presented with acute shortness of breath (SOB). Computed tomography (CT) ruled out pulmonary embolism and echocardiography confirmed early tamponade. Following emergent subxiphoid pericardiectomy, the patient developed hemodynamic instability and shock and subsequent multiorgan failure. Repeat echocardiography revealed left ventricular (LV) hypercontractility and new right ventricular (RV) dilatation with akinesis. The patient's condition continued to deteriorate in spite of maximal doses of pressors. The patient died after the family's request to discontinue further extraordinary measures.

An incidental diagnosis of multiple pacemaker lead fractures.

Lead fractures are uncommon complications of pacemaker implantation. This article describes a patient with an incidental diagnosis of multiple atrial lead fractures many years after pacemaker implantation.

A rare case of nonobstructive membrane of the left atrial appendage.

The left atrial appendage (LAA) is a blind-ending, complex structure distinct from the body of the left atrium and is sometimes regarded as a minor extension of the atrium. However, it should routinely be evaluated as part of a transesophageal echocardiographic examination. In this study we describe the presence of a nonobstructive membrane traversing the cavity of the LAA, found incidentally on transesophageal echocardiography.

Liquefaction necrosis of mitral annulus calcification.

Liquefaction necrosis of the mitral annulus is a rare form of peri-annular calcification that the cardiologist must be able to differentiate from other cardiac masses. It classically looks like a round or semilunar hyperdense mass with a denser peripheral rim, located mainly in the posterior mitral annulus. The case we report here was diagnosed in a 78-year-old female patient who presented with an embolic cerebral vascular accident, which raises the question of its etiopathogenic responsibility.

Chest X-Ray to Predict Difficult Right Transradial Cardiac Catheterization Due to Vascular Tortuosity: A Retrospective Study.

Tortuous brachiocephalic artery may lead to procedural difficulties among patients undergoing right transradial cardiac catheterization. By prospectively identifying patients with this anatomic barrier, operators may choose an alternate catheterization site to avoid complications from switching midway. To assess brachiocephalic artery tortuosity, 23 patients who underwent challenging diagnostic coronary angiography by right transradial access were compared to a control group of 29 patients who lacked brachiocephalic artery tortuosity. Preprocedural, plain chest x-rays were analyzed for measurable anatomic parameters and assessed for statistical significance between groups. The vertebrocarinal distance-the distance in centimeters between the spinous process of the first thoracic vertebra (T1) and the most caudal point of tracheal bifurcation, measured at and parallel to the midline-was the most reliable and statistically significant radiographic predictor of brachiocephalic artery tortuosity. Using this novel concept reduces procedure duration and radiation exposure by decreasing transradial cardiac catheterization failure rates.

Right ventricular metastasis from unclassified Renal Cell Carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Cardiac metastasis of unclassified renal cell carcinoma (RCC) subtype is very rare, and even more so is an isolated right ventricular (RV) metastasis without vena cava extension or right atrial involvement. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of a cardiac metastasis of an unclassified RCC (an aggressive RCC) without vena cava extension. CASE PRESENTATION: A 61-year-old African American male with past medical history of hypertension and schizophrenia presented to the emergency room following 2 episodes of syncope and 3-month history of progressive neck mass. CT scan of neck, abdomen and pelvis showed bulky left cervical, supraclavicular and axillary lymph node, mass in anterior aspect of heart, and multiple solid left renal masses and probable right renal mass. Echocardiogram revealed a large RV mass with deformation of the RV free wall suggesting malignant growth. Core biopsy of the right superficial gluteal mass revealed a metastatic poorly differentiated carcinoma of likely renal origin, with a possibility of an unclassified RCC. Due to the extent and burden of metastasis, patient and family members agreed to conservative management and evaluation for hospice care. CONCLUSION: Cardiac metastasis of unclassified RCC is rare, and even more so is an isolated RV metastasis without vena cava extension or right atrial involvement, and the present case, to the best of knowledge is the first of such rare presentation.

From Tick Bite to Heart Failure: Ehrlichial Myocarditis.

Cardiac involvement in myocarditis induced by Human Monocytic Ehrlichiosis infection is an incredibly uncommon complication with sparsely available literature. Also, this case highlights the importance of early recognition as a first step in management.

Une atteinte cardiaque secondaire à une myocardite induite par une ehrlichiose monocytaire humaine constitue une complication extrêmement rare et très peu documentée. Le cas présenté fait ressortir l'importance d'une reconnaissance rapide du problème comme première étape de la prise en charge.

Can we cause regression of coronary atherosclerosis?

With the advent of effective antiatherosclerotic therapies, especially lipid lowering agents, cardiovascular morbidity and mortality rates associated with coronary atherosclerosis can be reduced. A growing body of evidence suggests such therapies can retard the progression of coronary atherosclerosis and with aggressive treatment regimens can cause regression. Antiatherosclerotic, and especially lipid lowering therapies, have the potential to become an alternative to invasive interventions. This report examines clinical studies that have addressed the regression of human coronary atherosclerosis by medical therapy.

Hypovitaminosis D in African Americans residing in Memphis, Tennessee with and without heart failure.

BACKGROUND: Factors contributing to heart failure (HF) in African Americans (AA) are under investigation. Reduced 25(OH)D confers increased cardiovascular risk, including HF. METHODS: We monitored serum 25(OH)D, 1,25(OH)2D3, parathyroid hormone (PTH), and creatinine clearance in 102 AA residing in Memphis: 58 hospitalized with decompensated HF of >or=4 weeks in 34 (21 men; 53.3 +/- 1.8 years) or of 1 to 2 weeks in 24 (17 men; 49.6 +/- 2.4 years) and associated with a dilated cardiomyopathy and reduced ejection fraction (<35%); 19 outpatients with compensated HF (14 men; 52.6 +/- 2.7 years) with comparable ejection fraction; 16 outpatients (9 men; 55.4 +/- 2.9 years) with heart disease, but without HF; and 9 healthy volunteers (3 men; 35.8 +/- 3.5 years). RESULTS: Serum 25(OH)D 65 pg/mL was found in all AA with decompensated HF of >or=4 weeks (132.4 +/- 12.0 pg/mL) and 67% with 1 to 2 weeks duration (82.3 +/- 7.9 pg/mL), but only 11% with compensated HF (45.8 +/- 6.1 pg/mL), 12% without HF (29.6 +/- 5.4 pg/mL), and none of the volunteers (31.1 +/- 3.9 pg/mL). Creatinine clearance did not differ between patient groups. CONCLUSIONS: Hypovitaminosis D is prevalent amongst AA residing in Memphis, with or without HF. Elevations in serum PTH in keeping with secondary hyperparathyroidism are only found in AA with decompensated HF, where hypovitaminosis D and other factors are contributory.

Occlusion of right coronary artery by microembolization caused by excessive diagnostic catheter manipulation.

With advancing technology and newer therapeutic and diagnostic techniques, physicians are now encountering new complications or increasing frequency of known complications than before. left cardiac catheterization and coronary angiography is not an exception. As transradial cardiac catheterization is now becoming more popular, operators should be more aware of related challenges and limitations associated. Tortuous right bracheocephalic artery is an anatomical variance that makes radial catheterization more difficult, and may indeed add additional time and risk to the procedure and patient, respectively. Hence, we present this case report.

Congestive heart failure is a systemic illness: a role for minerals and micronutrients.

Congestive heart failure (CHF) is a clinical syndrome that features a failing heart together with signs and symptoms arising from renal retention of salt and water, mediated by attendant neurohormonal activation, and which prominently includes the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system. More than this cardiorenal perspective, CHF is accompanied by a systemic illness whose features include an altered redox state in diverse tissues and blood, an immunostimulatory state with proinflammatory cytokines and activated lymphocytes and monocytes, and a wasting of tissues that includes muscle and bone. Based on experimental studies of aldosteronism and clinical findings in patients with CHF, there is an emerging body of evidence that secondary hyperparathyroidism is a covariant of CHF. The aldosteronism of CHF predisposes patients to secondary hyperparathyroidism because of a chronic increase in Ca(2+) and Mg(2+) losses in urine and feces, with a fall in their serum ionized levels and consequent secretion of parathyroid hormone. Secondary hyperparathyroidism accounts for bone resorption and contributes to a fall in bone strength that can lead to nontraumatic fractures. The long-term use of a loop diuretic with its attendant urinary wasting of Ca(2+) and Mg(2+) further predisposes patients to secondary hyperparathyroidism and attendant bone loss. Aberrations in minerals and micronutrient homeostasis that includes Ca(2+), Mg(2+), vitamin D, zinc and selenium appear to be an integral component of pathophysiologic expressions of CHF that contributes to its systemic and progressive nature. This broader perspective of CHF, which focuses on the importance of secondary hyperparathyroidism and minerals and micronutrients, raises the prospect that dietary supplements could prove remedial in combination with the current standard of care.

Multiple coronary-cameral fistulas to the left ventricle arising from both coronary arteries.

Coronary-cameral fistula (CCF) is an anomalous connection between a coronary artery and a cardiac chamber or major vessel, seen in about 0.8% of the cases undergoing coronary angiography. Most patients are asymptomatic and diagnosis is made incidentally during coronary angiography. We present an image case of CCF which was found incidentally during pre-liver transplantation work up.

When life-threatening conditions appear clinically silent: an atypical presentation of spontaneous coronary artery dissection in a 60-year-old female.

Spontaneous coronary artery dissection is a poorly understood phenomenon that usually affects women during pregnancy or the immediate post-partum period. We present the case of a 60-year-old female with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease who presented with vague complaints of shortness of breath, dizziness, and weakness with a mildly elevated troponin. She denied any anginal symptoms. As part of her initial workup, a nuclear stress test revealed inferior wall reversible changes. Coronary angiography revealed spontaneous right coronary artery dissection which was treated with a drug-eluting stent.

A case of saddle pulmonary embolus visualized on a transthoracic echocardiography in a 69-year-old female.

A 69-year-old female with history of immobilization presented with shortness of breath and generalized weakness and was found to have large saddle pulmonary embolus on CT scan. Further evaluation with a transthoracic echocardiography revealed a moderately enlarged and hypokinetic right ventricle with a pulmonary artery clot of about 1.5 cm seen at the bifurcation while the ultrasound of the legs was negative for deep vein thrombosis.

Giant right atrial mass obliterating the right atrium.

A73-year-old man with past medical history of mechanical aortic valve replacement, metastatic melanoma of unknown primaries with liver metastasis, presented with progressive shortness of breath and dyspnea on exertion. Transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) showed a large homogenous mass completely occupying the right atrial cavity and extending to and nearly obstructing the inflow area of the tricuspid valve. He was treated with chemotherapy.

Late onset seroma post-thymectomy presenting as cardiac tamponade.

Late onset seroma is a rare post-operative complication occurring after various surgeries including thymectomy. Most cases are asymptomatic; however, seromas occurring in the mediastinal cavity may cause compression symptoms including airway compression or cardiac tamponade. We present a 62-year-old male with a history of thymectomy for myasthenia gravis who presented with cardiac tamponade several years ago. Further evaluation revealed a late onset seroma anteriorly compressing the cardiac chambers resulting in tamponade physiology.