Hitesh Raheja

Routine Invasive Versus Selective Invasive Strategy in Elderly Patients Older Than 75 Years With Non-ST-Segment Elevation Acute Coronary Syndrome: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Objective: To evaluate outcomes of routine invasive strategy (RIS) compared with selective invasive strategy (SIS) in elderly patients older than 75 years with non‐ST‐segment elevation acute coronary syndrome (NSTE‐ACS). Methods: We systematically searched databases for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) between January 1, 1990, and October 1, 2016, comparing RIS with SIS for elderly patients (age>75 years) with NSTE‐ACS. Random effects meta‐analysis was conducted to estimate odds ratio (OR) with 95% CIs for composite of death or myocardial infarction (MI), and individual end points of all‐cause death, cardiovascular (CV) death, MI, revascularization, and major bleeding. Results: A total of 6 RCTs with 1887 patients were included in the final analysis. Compared with an SIS, RIS was associated with significantly decreased risk of the composite end point of death or MI (OR, 0.65; 95% CI, 0.51‐0.83). Similarly, RIS led to a significant reduction in the risk of MI (OR, 0.51; 95% CI, 0.40‐0.66) and need for revascularization (OR, 0.31; 95% CI, 0.11‐0.91) compared with SIS. There were no significant differences between RIS and SIS in terms of all‐cause death (OR, 0.85; 95% CI, 0.63‐1.20), CV death (OR, 0.84; 95% CI, 0.61‐1.15), and major bleeding (OR, 1.96; 95% CI, 0.97‐3.97). Conclusion: In elderly patients older than 75 years with NSTE‐ACS, RIS is superior to SIS for the composite end point (death or MI), primarily driven by reduced risk of MI.

Cryptococcal meningitis masquerading as normal pressure hydrocephalus in an immune-competent adult

We report a case of acute cryptococcal meningitis (CM) masquerading as normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH) in an immune-competent female. An 85-year-old human immunodeficiency virus-negative female presented to the emergency room for altered mental status and difficulty walking. She was increasingly lethargic, with urinary incontinence and gait instability. A previous computed tomography was reported to have ventricular dilatation out of proportion to the degree of cortical atrophy. Magnetic resonance scan of the brain revealed ventricular dilatation and subtle debris layering the occipital horns of the lateral ventricles. A working diagnosis of NPH had been made considering the clinical symptoms and imaging. She became febrile to 103°F. Lumbar puncture was then performed which showed increased protein, decreased glucose, and mononuclear pleocytosis. India ink preparation of the cerebrospinal fluid was positive for Cryptococcus along with a positive cryptococcal antigen test. The patient was started on treatment for CM, but the patient continued to deteriorate further and died on the same day. Blood cultures subsequently grew Cryptococcus neoformans as well.

Adult Onset Dysphagia: Right Sided Aortic Arch, Ductus Diverticulum, and Retroesophageal Ligamentum Arteriosum Comprising an Obstructing Vascular Ring

A 49-year-old African American male patient with no past medical history was admitted because of 3 months of difficulty swallowing solid and liquid foods. He had constant retrosternal discomfort and appeared malnourished. The chest radiograph revealed a right sided aortic arch with tracheal deviation to the left. A swallow study confirmed a fixed esophageal narrowing at the level of T6. Contrast enhanced Computed Tomography (CT) angiogram of the chest and neck revealed a mirror image right aortic arch with a left sided cardiac apex and a prominent ductus diverticulum (measuring 1.7 × 1.8 cm). This structure extended posterior to and indented the mid esophagus. A left posterolateral thoracotomy was performed and the ductus diverticulum was resected. A retroesophageal ligamentum arteriosum was found during surgery and divided. This rare combination of congenital anatomical aberrations led to severe dysphagia in our patient. Successful surgical correction in the form of resection of the ductus diverticulum and division of the retroesophageal ligamentum arteriosum led to complete resolution of our patients symptoms.

Right Ventricular Infarction

Coronary Heart Disease is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. A great amount is known about left ventricular myocardial infarction. It was not until much later (1974) that right ventricular myocardial infarction was studied as a separate entity. Isolated right ventricle myocardial infarction is rare. Around one-third of patients with acute infero-posterior ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction, will present with concomitant right ventricular infraction. The aim of this paper is to review the literature on the importance of early recognition of right ventricular infarction, clinical presentation, pathophysiology, diagnostic evaluation, differential diagnosis, treatment, complications and prognosis.

Electrocardiogram Changes with Acute Alcohol Intoxication: A Systematic Review

Background: Acute alcohol intoxication has been associated with cardiac arrhythmias but the electrocardiogram (ECG) changes associated with acute alcohol intoxication are not well defined in the literature. Objective: Highlight the best evidence regarding the ECG changes associated with acute alcohol intoxication in otherwise healthy patients and the pathophysiology of the changes. Methods: A literature search was carried out; 4 studies relating to ECG changes with acute alcohol intoxication were included in this review. Results: Of the total 141 patients included in the review, 90 (63.8%) patients had P-wave prolongation, 80 (56%) patients had QTc prolongation, 19 (13.5%) patients developed T-wave abnormalities, 10 (7%) patients had QRS complex prolongation, 3 (2.12%) patients developed ST-segment depressions. Conclusion: The most common ECG changes associated with acute alcohol intoxication are (in decreasing order of frequency) P-wave and QTc prolongation, followed by T-wave abnormalities and QRS complex prolongation. Mostly, these changes are completely reversible.

Cor Triatriatum Sinistrum

Figure 1 – A) Transthoracic echocardiogram showing cor triatriatum: proximal and distal left atrium separated by a membrane (Pointing white arrow), LA: left atrium; LV: left ventricle; RV: right ventricle; RA: right atrium. B) Transesophageal echocardiogram showing cor triatriatum: proximal and distal left atrium separated by a membrane (Pointing white arrow), LA: left atrium; LV: left ventricle. A 25-year-old male presented to clinic with complaints of palpitations. Transthoracic echocardiogram (TTE) showed presence of a membrane in left atrium suggestive of cor triatriatum [Figure 1A]. This finding was confirmed with transesophageal echocardiogram (TEE), which revealed a membrane in the left atrium attaching at the Coumadin ridge and the atrial septum, just caudal to the fossa ovalis [Figure 1B].