Balendu C. Vasavada

Cardiac papillary fibroelastoma: a comprehensive analysis of 725 cases

BACKGROUND With the advent of echocardiography, cardiac papillary fibroelastoma (CPF) is being increasingly reported. The demographics, clinical characteristics, pathological features, treatment, and prognosis of CPF are examined. DATA COLLECTIONS Cases, case series and related articles on the subject in all languages were identified through a comprehensive literature search. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS Seven hundred twenty-five cases of CPF were identified. Males comprised 55% of patients. Highest prevalence was in the 8th decade of life. The valvular surface was the predominant locations of tumor. The most commonly involved valve was the aortic valve, followed by the mitral valve. The left ventricle was the predominant nonvalvular site involved. No clear risk factor for development of CPF has been reported. Size of the tumor varied from 2 mm to 70 mm. Clinically, CPFs have presented with transient ischemic attack, stroke, myocardial infarction, sudden death, heart failure, presyncope, syncope, pulmonary embolism, blindness, and peripheral embolism. Tumor mobility was the only independent predictor of CPF-related death or nonfatal embolization. Symptomatic patients should be treated surgically because the successful complete resection of CPF is curative and the long-term postoperative prognosis is excellent. The symptomatic patients who are not surgical candidates could be offered long-term oral anticoagulation, although no randomized controlled data are available on its efficacy. Asymptomatic patients could be treated surgically if the tumor is mobile, as the tumor mobility is the independent predictor of death or nonfatal embolization. Asymptomatic patients with nonmobile CPF could be followed-up closely with periodic clinical evaluation and echocardiography, and receive surgical intervention when symptoms develop or the tumor becomes mobile.

Cardiac arrhythmias in pregnancy: clinical and therapeutic considerations

Pregnancy can precipitate cardiac arrhythmias not previously present in seemingly well individuals. Risk of arrhythmias is relatively higher during labor and delivery. Potential factors that can promote arrhythmias in pregnancy and during labor and delivery include the direct cardiac electrophysiological effects of hormones, changes in autonomic tone, hemodynamic perturbations, hypokalemia of pregnancy, and underlying heart disease. Paroxysmal supraventricular and ventricular tachycardia may cause hemodynamic compromise with consequences to the fetus. Management of arrhythmias in pregnant women is similar to that in non-pregnant but a special consideration must be given to avoid adverse fetal effects. No drug therapy is usually needed for the management of supraventricular or ventricular premature beats, but potential stimulants, such as smoking, caffeine, and alcohol should be eliminated. In paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia, vagal stimulation maneuvers should be tried first. Adenosine or a cardioselective beta-blocker could be used if vagal maneuvers are ineffective. Alternatively, verapamil or diltiazem may be given. In pregnant women with atrial fibrillation, the goal of treatment is conversion to sinus rhythm or to control ventricular rate by a cardioselective beta-adrenergic blocker drug or digoxin. Ventricular arrhythmias may occur in the pregnant women with cardiomyopathy, congenital heart disease, valvular heart disease, or mitral valve prolapse. Termination of ventricular arrhythmias can usually be achieved by intravenous lidocaine or procainamide or by electrical cardioversion. Amiodarone is not safe for the fetus. Beta-blocker therapy must be continued during pregnancy and postpartum period in women with long QT syndrome and torsade de pointes.

Elevation of serum cardiac troponin I in noncardiac and cardiac diseases other than acute coronary syndromes

This study evaluated the role of serum cardiac troponin I as a biochemical marker for the diagnosis of acute coronary syndromes in the presence of noncardiac diseases. Diagnostic characteristics were examined in 102 consecutive patients who were found to have serum cardiac troponin I levels higher than the upper reference limit of 0.6 ng/mL. Of 102 patients with cardiac troponin I levels of >0.6 ng/mL, 35 did not have the final diagnoses of acute coronary syndromes (myocardial infarction or unstable angina) but had various other final diagnoses, including nonischemic dilated cardiomyopathy, muscular disorders, central nervous system disorders, HIV disease, chronic renal failure, sepsis, lung diseases, and endocrine disorders. The mean value of serum cardiac troponin I in the patients with diseases other than acute coronary syndromes was significantly lesser than in those with acute coronary syndromes (2.0+/-1.9 [SD] v. 24.7+/-28.2 ng/mL; P<.0001). There were significantly fewer histories of chest pain and prior myocardial infarction in patients with diseases other than acute coronary syndromes than in those with acute coronary syndromes (history of chest pain, 3 v. 48 patients [P<.001]; history of prior myocardial infarction, 0 v. 30 patients [P<.001]). In conclusion, elevated serum levels of cardiac troponin I, especially in the lower ranges, should be interpreted with caution, particularly in patients suffering from acute illnesses who lack other diagnostic features suggestive of acute coronary ischemic events.

Anomalous circumflex coronary artery: benign or predisposed to selective atherosclerosis.

Anomalous origin of the circumflex coronary artery from the right sinus of Valsalva is the most common coronary anomaly and is usually considered benign. Although several researchers in the past believed that aberrancy predisposes this vessel to accelerated atherosclerosis, this could not get wide acceptance owing to lack of convincing data. To examine the suggestion that atherosclerosis affects the anomalous circumflex artery more severely, the authors reviewed the clinical and angiographic features of patients with this anomaly identified from 2,684 coronary angiography procedures performed between January 1998 and March 2000 at their institution. The degree of atherosclerotic narrowing in the anomalous artery was compared with that in other coronary arteries in the same patient as well as in the nonanomalous circumflex arteries in controls. For comparison 3 control subjects were selected for each patient with anomalous circumflex artery, matched by age, sex, and clinical presentations. The results showed earlier and greater degree of atherosclerotic narrowing of the anomalous artery as compared to the other coronary arteries in the same patients as well as to nonanomalous circumflex arteries of age- and gender-matched control subjects with similar clinical characteristics. However, this predilection for atherosclerosis was evident only in anomalous vessels arising from the right side and pursuing a retroaortic course. The anomalous artery was responsible for myocardial infarction in 3 patients, all of whom were 60 years or older. Two of the patients with this anomaly and myocardial infarction underwent successful angioplasty with stent placement for symptomatic relief.

Prognostic value of serum cardiac troponin I in ambulatory patients with chronic renal failure undergoing long-term hemodialysis: A two-year outcome analysis

OBJECTIVES We sought to evaluate the prognostic value of cardiac troponin I (cTnI) in asymptomatic, ambulatory patients with chronic renal failure treated with long-term hemodialysis. BACKGROUND Smaller, short-term follow-up studies on this subject have given conflicting results. METHODS A total of 126 ambulatory patients with chronic renal failure treated with long-term hemodialysis were followed for two years for all-cause mortality, cardiac mortality, all-cause hospital admissions and cardiac hospital admissions. Serum cTnI was measured before dialysis at the time of study entry. RESULTS One hundred two patients had normal serum levels of cTnI (< or =0.03 ng/ml) and 24 patients had elevated levels (0.015 +/- 0.007 vs. 0.053 +/- 0.029 ng/ml, p < 0.0001). No significant difference in all-cause mortality (20 vs. 4 deaths), cardiac mortality (4 vs. 1 death), all-cause hospital admissions (1.74 +/- 1.72 vs. 1.25 +/- 1.19 admissions/patient) or cardiac admissions (0.52 +/- 0.89 vs. 0.33 +/- 0.76 admissions/patient) was present between the patients with normal cTnI levels and those with elevated cTnI levels. Serum cTnI was not significantly different between patients who died versus those who survived (0.022 +/- 0.019 vs. 0.022 +/- 0.021 ng/ml). Serum cTnI was not an independent predictor of all-cause mortality, cardiac mortality, all-cause admissions or cardiac admissions. Age (older) and serum albumin (lower) were independent predictors of all-cause mortality, whereas a history of myocardial infarction was an independent predictor of cardiac mortality. Serum sodium (lower) was an independent predictor of all-cause hospital admissions, whereas hypertension and previous myocardial infarction were independent predictors of cardiac admissions. The best predictors of the time to death were age (older) and serum sodium level (lower), irrespective of the serum cTnI levels. CONCLUSIONS Cardiac troponin I has a limited role in predicting mortality and hospital admissions in asymptomatic patients with chronic renal failure treated with long-term hemodialysis.

Right atrial extension of primary venous leiomyosarcoma: pulmonary embolism and Budd-Chiari syndrome at presentation-a case report.

Venous leiomyosarcomas are rare and arise predominantly in the inferior vena cava (IVC). The clinical findings are nonspecific and may precede the diagnosis by several years. IVC leiomyosarcoma is predominantly seen in women. Intracavitary extension of vascular tumors tends to result from embolization or propagation along great veins, and this is a serious risk factor for pulmonary embolism and sudden death when it reaches the right heart. Modern imaging modalities using computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, individually or in combination with cavography, ultrasound, and echocardiography, allow an early and accurate preoperative diagnosis, resulting in a higher rate of surgical resection and improved survival. The authors present a 72-year-old woman who presented with pulmonary embolism and Budd-Chiari syndrome. Pathological examination revealed a leiomyosarcoma. The tumor, involving the IVC, was diagnosed with imaging techniques that showed intracardiac extension of a primary venous leiomyosarcoma. The literature discussing leiomyosarcoma of the IVC is briefly reviewed.

Atrial fibrillation associated with systemic lupus erythematosus and use of methylprednisolone.

Systemic lupus erythematosus is known to have cardiac manifestations consisting of pericarditis, myocarditis, endocarditis, and coronary vasculitis. Pericarditis is the most common cardiac manifestation of systemic lupus erythematosus. Myocarditis may be suspected in patients presenting with unexplained tachycardia, conduction disturbances, unexplained systolic dysfunction with or without heart failure, or arrhythmias. The development of arrhythmias in systemic lupus erythematosus could be secondary to pericarditis, myocarditis, or ischemia caused by coronary vasculitis. The development of atrial fibrillation in systemic lupus erythematosus is not commonly reported. There have been few reports on the patients developing atrial fibrillation after being started on methylprednisolone therapy. Described here is a case of the development of atrial fibrillation in a newly diagnosed 37-year-old patient with systemic lupus erythematosus who was started on intravenous methylprednisolone therapy.

Torsades de pointes : A case with multiple variables

Torsades de pointes is a polymorphic ventricular tachycardia that displays a unique electrocardiographic feature of twisting of the mean electrical axis of QRS complexes around an isoelectric line on the surface electrocardiogram. It is associated with long QT syndrome and has many precipitating mechanisms, etiologic factors, and treatment options. This report presents a case of torsades de pointes that was precipitated by multiple factors and required many treatment modalities. The patient in this case exhibited features of both congenital and acquired types of long QT syndrome.

Initial presentation of pheochromocytoma with Takotsubo cardiomyopathy: a brief review of literature

Takotsubo cardiomyopathy, or transient left ventricular apical ballooning or broken heart syndrome, is characterized by excessive sympathetic stimulation induced acute coronary vasospasm. A 46-year-old female presented with polyuria and polydypsia and was diagnosed with new-onset diabetes mellitus, treated with insulin and intravenous fluids. During the hospital stay, she complained of an episode of left-sided chest pain and had mildly elevated cardiac enzymes. EKG showed new ST-segment elevation in V2, V3 leads without reciprocal changes. Her coronary angiogram showed no significant coronary artery stenosis, but severe systolic dysfunction and akinesis of the mid-anterior, anteroapical, mid-inferior and inferoapical segments. Further workup was negative except for plasma metanephrine being elevated. MRI of the abdomen showed a right adrenal mass consistent with pheochromocytoma. Surgical resection of the adrenal mass showed evidence of pheochromocytoma and the patients symptoms were resolved.

Acute myocardial infarction with normal coronary arteries associated with iatrogenic hyperthyroidism

Myocardial ischemia is a rare but severe and and blood pressure was 135/80 mmHg; pulse 85 possibly life threatening manifestation of hyperbeats /min; respiration 16/min and temperature thyroidism. Acute myocardial infarction has been 98.6 8F. Neck examination revealed no jugular venreported in patients on levothyroxine replacement ous distension, no carotid bruit, and a well-healed [1–8]. We report this condition in a 51-year-old scar of thyroidectomy with no palpable masses. She woman with normal coronary arteries. Since it is had a normal S1, physiologically split S2, an S4 with known that thyroid hormones increase oxygen deno S3, murmurs or rub. Chest, abdomen and neuromand, the rapid elevation of oxygen utilization logical examination were unremarkable. There was caused by thyroid excess is likely to be responsible no peripheral edema. The initial electrocardiogram for this patient’s myocardial infarction. revealed sinus rhythm with diffuse ST-T abnorA 51-year-old woman presented with sudden onset malities consistent with ischemia. The serum cardiac of severe retrosternal chest discomfort and shortness markers were elevated with a peak creatine kinase of of breath while she got off the subway stairs on a 194 U/ l, MB isoenzyme of 21 ng/ml, index of 11% morning. She had long standing history of hypertenand cardiac troponin I of 30 ng/ml. The complete sion and was postmenopausal. She denied smoking, blood count and basic serum chemistry were within alcohol, or illicit drug use. Family history was nonnormal limits. Total cholesterol, triglycerides, lowcontributory. Her significant past history included density lipoprotein cholesterol, and high-density total thyroidectomy and modified neck dissection for lipoprotein cholesterol levels were within normal papillary carcinoma of thyroid with capsular invasion limits. The thyroid stimulation hormone was low, and lymph node involvement 8 months prior to ,0.01 mU/ml (range: 0.38–4.80), with a high free admission. She was on daily doses of amlodipine 5 thyroxine level, 2.3 ng/dl (range: 0.7–1.4) and a high mg and levothyroxine 175 mcg. On examination, she triiodothyronine, 243 ng/dl (range: 110–195). was alert, awake, oriented with no obvious distress Patient was treated with standard antiischemic therapy, using aspirin, clopidrogel, intravenous unfractionated heparin, beta-blockers and nitrates. The *Corresponding author. Tel.: 11-402-280-4573; fax: 11-402-280levothyroxine dose was decreased to 100 mcg per 4938. E-mail address: ikhan@cardiac.creighton.edu (I.A. Khan). day. The transthoracic echocardiogram revealed mild