Internal medicine
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Case Reports
A Young Patient Presenting with Atrioventricular Block Diagnosed as Myotonic Dystrophy.
We encountered a 42-year-old woman with a history of diabetes mellitus and cataracts presenting with repeated syncope whose electrocardiogram showed advanced atrioventricular block. On admission, we excluded major potential differential diagnoses as causes of an atrioventricular block but did not suspect myotonic dystrophy, which was eventually diagnosed by chance based on a suspected weakness of the respiratory muscles followed by a detailed neurological physical examination. Myotonic dystrophy should be suspected as a differential diagnosis when relatively young patients present with conductance disorder.
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Patients with myelodysplastic syndrome/myeloproliferative neoplasm (MDS/MPN) are often asymptomatic and thus can remain undiagnosed until they become symptomatic due to progression to the accelerated phase (AP) or transformation to acute leukemia (leukemic transformation; LT). We herein report the case of a previously healthy 38-year-old man who had hyperleukocytosis with dysplastic myeloid precursor cells and severe disseminated intravascular coagulation. Hematopoietic recovery with features of atypical chronic myeloid leukemia (aCML) after induction chemotherapy was a diagnostic clue. Although rare, this case highlights the limitation of the diagnostic approach for aCML with AP or LT at the initial presentation.
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Case Reports
Use of a Non-invasive Cardiac Output Measurement in a Patient with Low-output Dilated Cardiomyopathy.
A 49-year-old man was diagnosed with acute cardiac insufficiency based on evidence of congestive heart failure. The non-invasive measurement of the cardiac output using an AESCULON® mini showed low cardiac output (CO, 3.9 L/min). We administered an intravenous diuretic for cardiac edema and dobutamine drip for low cardiac output. ⋯ CO measurement by an AESCULON® mini was safe, cost-effective, and convenient. Data output correlates with the CO by Swan-Ganz catheterization. The non-invasive measurement of the CO permitted a smooth recovery without recurrence in this patient.