Gaurang Vaidya

Sjogren's syndrome with distal renal tubular acidosis presenting as hypokalaemic paralysis

A young lady with a history of repeated episodes of generalised weakness and fatigue presented to our hospital with similar symptoms and was found to have severe hypokalaemia. She had been previously diagnosed as hypokalaemic periodic paralysis but during this presentation she had also started complaining of the classic sicca-complex of Sjogrens syndrome, which was not present previously. On subsequent investigations she was found to have normal anion-gap metabolic acidosis with positive urine anion gap consistent with the diagnosis of distal renal tubular acidosis (RTA). It was thus concluded that the distal RTA secondary to Sjogrens syndrome was the cause of severe hypokalaemia in our patient. By presenting this case we aim to not only highlight one of the rare presentations of Sjogrens syndrome but also the favourable response of our patient to potassium replacement alone.

Pathophysiologic Mechanisms in Heart Failure: Role of the Sympathetic Nervous System

The syndrome of heart failure involves complex pathophysiologic mechanisms and is associated with extremely high-morbidity, mortality and economic costs. This growing global epidemic has diverse etiologies and is fundamentally characterized by dyshomeostasis between heart and kidneys, leading to development and progression of the cardiorenal syndrome. Excessive and sustained sympathoexcitation has emerged as a single prominent factor involved in the structural and functional dysfunction of multiple organ systems during this disease. Studies in experimental models of heart failure indicate that ablation of the renal nerves may help restore renal sodium and water equilibrium as well as the attenuation of adverse cardiac remodeling. With the recent development of minimally invasive endovascular renal denervation in humans, it is anticipated that this technology would become a novel and important paradigm shift in the management of heart failure.

Tumor lysis syndrome in metastatic breast cancer after a single dose of paclitaxel

Tumor lysis syndrome (TLS) is an oncologic emergency characterized by spillage of intracellular material into the blood caused by disruption of massive load of tumor cells. It is more commonly reported in hematological cancers and can have fatal consequences due to renal and multi-organ failure and arrhythmias due to electrolyte imbalance. We describe a case with metastatic breast cancer who presented with TLS after a single dose of paclitaxel, second such case in literature. The development of a risk stratification score to assess the need for hospitalization or close observation of these patients and the documentation of appropriate preventive strategies could help prevent such fatal occurrences. TLS should be included in the differential when cancer patients on treatment present with acute decompensation.

Application of exercise ECG stress test in the current high cost modern-era healthcare system

Exercise electrocardiogram (ECG) tests boasts of being more widely available, less resource intensive, lower cost and absence of radiation. In the presence of a normal baseline ECG, an exercise ECG test is able to generate a reliable and reproducible result almost comparable to Technitium–99 m sestamibi perfusion imaging. Exercise ECG changes when combined with other clinical parameters obtained during the test has the potential to allow effective redistribution of scarce resources by excluding low risk patients with significant accuracy. As we look towards a future of rising healthcare costs, increased prevalence of cardiovascular disease and the need for proper allocation of limited resources; exercise ECG test offers low cost, vital and reliable disease interpretation. This article highlights the physiology of the exercise ECG test, patient selection, effective interpretation, describe previously reported scores and their clinical application in today’s clinical practice.

Type A aortic dissection in fibromuscular dysplasia.

may be to correct vitamin D deficiency. New lipid-lowering drugs may also prove useful in reducing the risk of SIM altogether. Statin discontinuation (or reducing statin dosage) is a very relevant clinical issue because it may increase the risk of cardiovascular events. Therefore, we need to continue our efforts to provide optimal treatment of hyperlipidemia while avoiding (or appropriately treating) SIM.

Cytomegalovirus Colitis Mimicking Rectal Carcinoma in a Young Immunocompetent Patient.

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection is often seen in immunocompromised patients. Rarely, immunocompetent patients may present with CMV as a self-limiting, flu-like illness, though a few cases of significant organ-specific complications have been reported in these patients. We report a case in which a previously healthy man presented with hematochezia and an obstructing rectal mass thought to be rectal adenocarcinoma. Biopsy was positive for CMV, which was treated with full resolution of rectal mass confirmed with colonoscopy and barium contrast enema. This is the first reported case of CMV colitis mimicking rectal adenocarcinoma in an immunocompetent patient.

Gastroparesis as the initial presentation of pulmonary adenocarcinoma

Malignancy-associated gastroparesis is an under-reported entity and its diagnosis as a cause of cachexia or gastrointestinal symptoms is often missed in clinical practice. This case report highlights an unusual association of pulmonary adenocarcinoma with gastroparesis at presentation. Malignancy-associated gastroparesis should be added to the differential diagnosis in patients presenting with delayed gastric emptying of unknown aetiology and should prompt further radiological investigations. Early detection and treatment of underlying gastroparesis in patients with cancer is necessary to improve the quality of life and to avoid premature clinical deterioration due to intolerance to oral treatment.

Enterocolitis without diarrhoea in an adult patient: a clinical dilemma

Campylobacter jejuni is one of the most common causes of bloody diarrhoea in the USA. We report a case of a young woman who presented with a clinical picture reminiscent of acute appendicitis. Ultrasonography and CT of the abdomen performed subsequently revealed evidence of colitis. Quite unexpectedly, she had no symptoms of diarrhoea and the stool Gram stain and culture were negative. Nevertheless, due to high clinical suspicion of infectious colitis, appendectomy was deferred. Blood culture was later reported positive for Campylobacter species and the patient responded to quinolones. With this case report we try to highlight one of the unusual presentations of C jejuni infection, closely mimicking acute appendicitis in the absence of classical symptoms of bacterial enteritis. In such cases, a high index of suspicion, astute history taking skills and the proper use of imaging studies can save the patient from the surgical knife.

Complicated rheumatic mitral stenosis presenting in an elderly patient and the challenges in its management

A 76 -year-old lady with a recent diagnosis of rheumatic heart disease (RHD), and a history of repeated lower respiratory tract infections, came with symptoms of gastritis unrelated to the primary disease but further diagnostic study in the hospital revealed poorly controlled atrial fibrillation, grossly dilated left atrium with two large left atrial thrombi and mitral valve area<1 cm2. It was decided that the best approach in our patient would be mitral valve replacement with mechanical prosthesis. Despite the usual trend of using bioprosthesis in the elderly, our decision was influenced by the fact that the patient would need chronic anticoagulation for atrial fibrillation in any case. The purpose of our case presentation is to illustrate a late-presenting case of RHD with unusual associations and the challenges to choose the best possible management.

Effects of Beta Blockers and ACE Inhibitors after Left Ventricular Assist Device Implantation

While Beta blockers (BB) and Angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors/Angiotensin receptor blockers (ACEinh/ARB) are important components in advanced heart failure (HF) therapy, their use after left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation remains controversial. Concern has been raised about possible adverse effects of BB on right ventricular (RV) function while tolerance and efficacy/outcome data for ACEinh are lacking. This study aimed to characterize the use of medical therapy post-LVAD implantation and to evaluate its safety and efficacy.