Cardiology in review
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Cardiology in review · Jan 2004
Review Case ReportsAcute myocardial infarction from spontaneous coronary artery dissection a case report and review of the literature.
Spontaneous coronary artery dissection is a rare event as a cause of acute myocardial infarction. Optimal treatment remains unclear. In this report, we describe a case of spontaneous acute coronary artery dissection presenting as recurrent acute myocardial infarction in a postmenopausal woman, successfully treated with systemic thrombolysis. The case is discussed with review of the pertinent literature.
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Cardiology in review · Nov 2003
Case ReportsThe hemodynamic signs of constrictive pericarditis can be mimicked by tricuspid regurgitation.
A case with clinical and hemodynamic findings consistent with constrictive pericarditis is reported. At surgery, the pericardium was not thickened or adherent to the epicardial wall. As suggested by echocardiography, a diagnosis of severe tricuspid regurgitation was confirmed. This case illustrates that invasive hemodynamic findings consistent with a picture of pericardial constriction can be produced by processes other than constrictive pericarditis.
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Cardiology in review · Nov 2003
Case ReportsFatal cardiac arrest following blunt chest trauma 17 years after a Senning operation.
Although frequent in patients who have undergone Senning or Mustard operations, cardiac arrhythmias after blunt chest trauma have not been reported. We report the case of a 17-year-old boy with ventricular fibrillation after a minor blow to the chest.
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Cardiology in review · Jul 2003
Case ReportsEbstein's anomaly presenting as Wolff-Parkinson white syndrome in a postpartum patient.
Ebstein's anomaly is a common congenital abnormality in the Wolff-Parkinson white syndrome (WPW). The term WPW is applied to patients with both preexcitation on ECG and paroxysmal tachycardias. In this case review, we describe a female with a history of intermittent palpitations who presented in the postpartum period with WPW. ⋯ In the United States, heart disease is responsible for 10% of maternal deaths. Although pregnancy is well known to exacerbate symptoms in patients with WPW, postpartum exacerbation has not been clearly described. This unusual case suggests that monitoring beyond the peurperium would be advisable in patients at risk to develop malignant tachyarrhythmias.
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Recent advances in the prevention and pharmacotherapy of cerebrovascular disease have provided more favorable clinical outcomes. For the treatment of an acute ischemic stroke, the early use of thrombolytic agents can reduce the degree of brain damage while improving functional outcomes. However, trials evaluating various classes of other neuroprotective agents have not shown benefit to date. ⋯ Early treatment of hemorrhagic stroke with calcium channel blockers can improve the functional outcome. Innovative therapies are now available for the treatment of migraine and vascular dementia. Primary prevention of stroke remains the optimal therapeutic strategy and includes treatment of systemic hypertension and hypercholesterolemia.