Journal of cardiovascular medicine
-
J Cardiovasc Med (Hagerstown) · Dec 2016
Cryptogenic ischemic stroke and prevalence of asymptomatic atrial fibrillation: a prospective study.
Atrial fibrillation is responsible for up to one-third of ischemic strokes, and is also associated with silent cerebral infarctions and transient ischemic attacks (TIAs). The self-terminating and often asymptomatic nature of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF) may lead to its underdiagnosis. A continuous and long-term heart rhythm monitoring can be useful in unmasking PAF episodes. ⋯ Long-term heart rhythm monitoring is successful in unmasking silent atrial fibrillation in 46% of patients suffering a cryptogenic stroke with concomitant atrial fibrillation risk factors, but without history of arrhythmia or palpitations.
-
J Cardiovasc Med (Hagerstown) · Dec 2016
Case ReportsGiant cell myocarditis successfully treated with antithymocyte globuline and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation for 21 days.
: A 31-year-old man presenting with cardiogenic shock and left ventricular ejection fraction of 10% received the diagnosis of giant cell myocarditis by endomyocardial biopsy. The patient was successfully treated with high-dose inotropes, intra-aortic balloon pump and venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation for 21 days associated with combined immunosuppression (thymoglobulin, steroids, cyclosporine). ⋯ Immunosuppression needs time to be effective; thus, hemodynamic support must be guaranteed. In the present case, we observed that full recovery can be obtained up to 21 days of support with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation and adequate immunosuppression.
-
J Cardiovasc Med (Hagerstown) · Dec 2016
Case ReportsA life-threatening presentation of eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis.
: Necrotizing eosinophilic myocarditis (NEM) is a life-threatening condition that needs rapid diagnosis by endomyocardial biopsy and hemodynamic support usually by mechanical circulatory systems. We present the case of a 25-year-old Caucasian man who developed a refractory cardiogenic shock due to a NEM that was supported with a peripheral veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation associated with intravenous steroids and recovered after 2 weeks. Further instrumental investigations lead to the final diagnosis of NEM as first presentation of eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (formerly Churg-Strauss syndrome), remarking the importance of identifying the systemic disorder that usually triggers the eosinophilic damage of the myocardium.
-
J Cardiovasc Med (Hagerstown) · Dec 2016
Case ReportsTranscatheter treatment of Starr-Edwards paravalvular leaks.
: A 56-year-old patient was referred because of refractory heart failure and mild haemolysis caused by multiple, severe paravalvular leaks of a Starr-Edwards valve implanted in mitral position 23 years before. Owing to perceived high risk of surgical re-valving, percutaneous paravalvular leak occlusion was performed by implantation of multiple, simultaneously deployed Amplatzer Vascular Plugs.
-
J Cardiovasc Med (Hagerstown) · Sep 2016
Multicenter StudyRecurrent pericarditis in children and adolescents: a multicentre cohort study.
Limited data are available about recurrent pericarditis in children. We sought to explore contemporary causes, characteristics, therapies and outcomes of recurrent pericarditis in paediatric patients. ⋯ Recurrent pericarditis has an overall favourable prognosis in children, although it may require frequent readmissions and seriously affect the quality of life, especially in patients treated with corticosteroids. Colchicine or anakinra therapies were associated with significant decrease in the risk of recurrence.