Sukhdeep Bhogal

Cardiac Amyloidosis: An Updated Review With Emphasis on Diagnosis and Future Directions

Cardiac amyloidosis occurs because of abnormal protein (amyloid) deposition in the cardiac tissue. Even with advanced diagnostic techniques and treatments, the prognosis of amyloidosis remains poor. The diagnosis of cardiac amyloidosis particularly needs to be in the differential in patients presenting with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction. This entity remains underdiagnosed due to lack of suspicion on the part of many clinicians. Involvement of cardiac tissue is the utmost determinant factor for available treatment options and prognosis. Many cases of cardiac amyloidosis usually remain undiagnosed or diagnosed only in advanced stages when treatment options are limited and associated with poor survival. Hence, early recognition of cardiac amyloidosis is indispensable in halting the disease process before irreversible changes occur. The purpose of this review is to summarize the recent updates in the evaluation and management of cardiac amyloidosis and to discuss potential future treatments options.

Current Trends and Future Perspectives in the Treatment of Pulmonary Hypertension: WHO Group II-V

Pulmonary hypertension continues to be a life-threatening illness with debilitating physical and emotional consequences affecting around 1% of global population. The progression of this devastating disease is characterized by increase in pulmonary vascular resistance resulting in elevated pulmonary pressure, eventually leading to right heart failure and death. Better understanding of pathophysiology has led to substantial improvements in terms of availability of treatment options. The purpose of this review is to summarize the currently available treatment options along with pertinent trials and possible future therapies of pulmonary hypertension group II-V.

Nearly Missed: Painless Aortic Dissection Masquerading as Infective Endocarditis

Aortic dissection is a life-threatening emergency associated with significant mortality rate. Early diagnosis is essential to improve the survival. Although the most common presentation is severe chest pain, it can be variable leading to delay in the diagnosis especially if it is painless. Painless aortic dissection is a rare entity with sparse data available based on case reports. We present a case of a young male with an atypical presentation where the presumptive diagnosis of infective endocarditis was made based on initial presentation but was eventually diagnosed as painless aortic dissection.

Percutaneous closure of patent foramen ovale in patients with cryptogenic stroke — An updated comprehensive meta-analysis

BACKGROUND The ideal treatment strategy for patients with cryptogenic stroke and patent foramen ovale (PFO) is not yet clear. Previous randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing transcatheter PFO closure with medical therapy in patients with cryptogenic stroke to prevent recurrent ischemic stroke showed mixed results. This meta-analysis aims to compare rates of recurrent stroke, transient ischemic attack (TIA) and all-cause mortality with PFO closure and medical therapy vs. medical therapy alone. METHODS PubMed and the Cochrane Center Register of Controlled Trials were searched for studies published through June 2018, comparing PFO closure plus medical therapy versus medical therapy alone. Six RCTs (n = 3750) comparing PFO closure with medical therapy were included in the analysis. End points were recurrent stroke, TIA and all-cause mortality. The odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) were computed and p < 0.05 was considered as a level of significance. RESULTS A total of 1889 patients were assigned to PFO closure plus medical therapy and 1861 patients were assigned to medical therapy only. Risk of recurrent stroke was significantly lower in the PFO closure plus medical therapy group compared to medical therapy alone. (OR 0.47, 95% CI 0.33-0.67, p < 0.0001). Rate of TIA was similar between the two groups (OR 0.76, 95% CI 0.52-1.14), p = 0.18). There was no difference in all-cause mortality between two groups (OR 0.73, CI 0.33-1.58, p = 0.42). Patients undergoing PFO closure were more likely to develop transient atrial fibrillation than medical therapy alone (OR: 5.85; CI: 3.06-11.18, p ≤0.0001) whereas the risk of bleeding was similar between the groups (OR: 0.93; CI: 0.55-1.57, p = 0.78). CONCLUSIONS The results of this meta-analysis suggest that transcatheter closure of PFO plus medical therapy is superior to medical therapy alone for the prevention of recurrent cryptogenic stroke. However, PFO closure in these patients has not been shown to reduce the risk of recurrent TIA or all-cause mortality. There is a higher rate of transient atrial fibrillation post PFO closure device placement, the long-term effects of which have yet to be studied.

Broken Heart Syndrome in a Patient on Maintenance Hemodialysis

Context:Broken heart syndrome or Takotsubo cardiomyopathy (TC) is a disorder characterized by transient left ventricular apical ballooning that almost invariably precedes emotional or physical stress. Although the patients with chronic kidney disease on hemodialysis have shown to exhibit sustained activity of sympathetic nervous system, the presentation of TC in these patients is a rare entity with few case reports in the literature. Case Report: A 75-year-old female with past medical history of end-stage renal disease presented with chest pressure and heaviness that started during her maintenance hemodialysis session. Electrocardiogram showed ST elevation and T wave inversion in V3-V6 leads. Emergent left heart catheterization was done that showed normal coronaries and akinesis of apical left ventricle wall consistent with TC. She was started on maximal medical management and underwent hemodialysis the next day without recurrence of the symptoms. Conclusion: TC may an underdiagnosed entity in patients on hemodialysis. However, it should be considered in the differential diagnosis in hemodialysis patients, particularly who presents with chest pain and/or symptoms.

Current Trends and Future Perspectives in the Treatment of Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension

Pulmonary hypertension continues to be a life-threatening illness with debilitating physical and emotional consequences affecting around 1% of global population. The progression of this devastating disease is characterized by increase in pulmonary vascular resistance resulting in elevated pulmonary pressure, eventually leading to right heart failure and death. Better understanding of pathophysiology has led to substantial improvements in terms of availability of treatment options. The purpose of this review is to summarize the currently available treatment options along with pertinent trials and possible future therapies of pulmonary arterial hypertension.

Deglutition Syncope: Two Case Reports Attributed to Vagal Hyperactivity

Deglutition syncope is a relatively rare cause of syncope that belongs to the category of neurally mediated reflex syncopal syndromes. The phenomenon is related to vagal reflex in context to deglutition causing atrioventricular block and acute reduction in cardiac output leading to dizziness or syncope. We present case series of two cases of deglutition syncope, of which first was managed medically and second with pacemaker implantation.

Abciximab-induced delayed profound thrombocytopaenia

Abciximab, the first approved glycoprotein (GP IIb/IIIa) inhibitor, is being widely used during acute coronary syndromes and offers the promising approach to antithrombotic therapy. We present a case of a young woman who initially received abciximab infusion for undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention of left anterior descending artery and was eventually diagnosed with abciximab-induced delayed thrombocytopaenia. This case outlines the importance of close follow-up of these patients to prevent serious adverse events.

Isolated Ventricular Noncompaction Cardiomyopathy Presenting as Recurrent Syncope

Isolated ventricular noncompaction (IVNC) occurs because of interruption of trabecular morphogenesis in the myocardium leading to ventricular noncompaction. Patients present with heart failure or with systemic complications secondary to thromboembolism or arrhythmias. High index of suspicion is necessary for early diagnosis. We present a case of 48-year-old male with unexplained recurrent syncope who was eventually diagnosed with IVNC.