International journal of cardiology
-
Letter Case Reports
'Lone' atrial fibrillation precipitated by monosodium glutamate and aspartame.
-
The small peptide urocortin (Ucn) has the ability to protect the heart by reducing cardiac cell loss during myocardial ischemia/reperfusion, and improving post-ischemic cardiac performance. Although its mechanism of action is not clearly defined, investigations have revealed that Ucn acts through several kinase pathways, and modulates a group of genes which synergistically minimize mitochondrial damage. ⋯ Serum Ucn levels may be clinically useful to diagnose cases of mild sub-lethal ischemia, lacking elevation of cardiac enzymes and electrocardiogram changes. Infusion of Ucn may also help reduce the extent of the iatrogenic ischemic/reperfusion injury, associated with cardioplegic arrest.
-
Letter Case Reports
Right bundle branch block with revelation of changing axis deviation at the end of atrial fibrillation.
Changing axis deviation has been reported also during atrial fibrillation or atrial flutter. Changing axis deviation has been also reported during acute myocardial infarction associated with atrial fibrillation too or at the end of atrial fibrillation during acute myocardial infarction. Left bundle branch block is usually associated with normal or left axis deviation. ⋯ Changing axis deviation with changing bundle branch block and new-onset of atrial fibrillation during acute myocardial infarction has been also reported. Changing axis deviation with intermittent right bundle branch block in a patient admitted with acute myocardial infarction has been also described. We present a case of a right bundle branch block with revelation of changing axis deviation at the end of atrial fibrillation in a 68-year-old Italian man.
-
Letter Case Reports
Treatment failure of low molecular weight heparin bridging therapy before a cardiac surgery intervention in a patient with atrial fibrillation.
From time to time, it may be necessary to interrupt oral anticoagulant therapy in preparation for surgical procedures. In high-risk patients or for longer periods, unfractionated or low-molecular-weight heparin bridging treatment has been reported safe. This case focuses attention on treatment failure of low molecular weight heparin bridging therapy in a patient with atrial fibrillation.
-
Kounis syndrome is the coincidental occurrence of acute coronary syndromes with allergic or hypersensitivity reactions. Clinicians should be aware that various mediators of allergy can cause coronary spasm and even plaque rupture and thrombus formation, thereby causing a serious impact on the course, prognosis and management of the allergic reaction. We report a case of a 20 year old female who developed acute coronary syndrome after anaphylactic reaction to ibuprofen.