In Southeast Asia, the higher prevalence of Intestinal tuberculosis (TB) challenges the diagnosis of Crohn’s disease (CD) due to their overlapping symptoms. This case involves a 25-year-old male ...misdiagnosed with Intestinal tuberculosis presenting with abdominal pain, weight loss, and bowel ulceration. Recurrence after anti-tubercular therapy led to further investigation paving to right hemicolectomy and histopathological analysis confirming Crohn’s disease. This case highlights thecomplexity of the diagnosis of Crohn’s disease in tuberculosis-prevalent areas, stressing the clinical importance, advanced diagnostics tools, and multidisciplinary approach for effective intervention.
Introduction Hypereosinophilic Syndrome (HES) is a rare disorder characterized by persistent elevation of eosinophils, leading to multi-organ infiltration and damage. Eosinophilic Myocarditis (EM) is ...one of its severe complications contributing significantly to morbidity and mortality. Herein, we describe the diagnostic and therapeutic challenges of EM, emphasizing the significance of early recognition and multidisciplinary management. Case presentation A 51-year-old female with a history of EM, heart failure, and peripheral eosinophilia presented with NYHA class 3b symptoms. Laboratory findings revealed elevated peripheral eosinophil count, NT-Pro BNP, and characteristic electrocardiogram abnormalities. Imaging studies confirmed biventricular thrombi and myocardial abnormalities consistent with EM. Treatment involved Solu-Medrol for HES and heparin for ventricular thrombi, leading to initial clinical improvement. However, refractory heart failure necessitated urgent heart transplantation. Discussion EM, an under-recognized complication of HES, poses diagnostic and management challenges. Management includes standard heart failure treatments, steroids, and emerging therapies like Mepolizumab. Early diagnosis and aggressive management are pivotal for improving outcomes in this rare and potentially fatal condition. Conclusion Advancements in the detection of complications, surgical management, and therapeutic options have improved outcomes in HES. Ongoing research is essential to further understand and address the diagnostic and therapeutic challenges of HES and EM.
Peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCM) affects women at the end of pregnancy or after delivery. Symptoms overlapping with pregnancy decrease the diagnostic yield of PPCM and can increase the rate of ...maternal mortality. As clinicians manage high-risk patients, it is crucial to understand the variable maternal physiology both during and after childbirth. Effective management of high-risk patients necessitates a comprehensive understanding of the variable maternal physiology during and after childbirth. The importance of prompt intervention with Impella CP (Cardiac Power) to treat acute cardiogenic shock stemming from PPCM after cesarean should be considered. Clinical outcomes can be improved by emphasizing the need for timely intervention and incorporating a comprehensive understanding of maternal physiology. The authors present a case of Impella CP use in PPCM shock as a means for emergent support after cesarean.
To assess the effect of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection on heart transplant recipients requiring immunotherapy. To investigate the effectiveness of vaccination in immunosuppressed heart ...transplant recipients during the initial years of the COVID-19 pandemic, and to examine the timing of COVID-19 infections in heart transplant recipients’ posttransplantation.
International data on COVID-19 infection in immunosuppressed populations is limited. Heart transplant recipients requiring immunotherapy are at risk for increased complications with COVID-19 infection. The availability of vaccination and temporal trends in this population has not been well described. We report outcomes in immunosuppressed patients during the initial years of the COVID-19 pandemic from March 1, 2019, to October 31, 2021, at Mayo Clinic in Florida.
A total of 98 patients were reviewed, of which 49 were COVID-19–positive (CP), and 49 were negative (CN). The cohort was well matched, with a median age of 58 years (49–65 years) in both groups. Females consisted of 41% in the CP group and 18.4% in the CN group. Immunosuppression was not significantly different for CP or CN patients. The median time from transplant to CP was 384 days (237–677 days). The CN group’s median follow-up after transplant was 947 days (737–1191 days). The CP hospitalization rate was 24% with only 1 death. More CP patients were vaccinated than the CN group (92% vs 78%, P=.025).
Our study sheds light on COVID-19’s effect on heart transplant recipients and vaccination in this population. Our findings suggest a potentially heightened infection risk within the first 1.5 years posttransplant, highlighting the need to optimize management strategies and vaccine efficacy in this vulnerable group.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UILJ, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZAGLJ, ZRSKP
Minimal change disease is an important cause of nephrotic syndrome in children, however, few cases are seen among adults. There is very little literature regarding the occurrence of minimal change ...disease in adults. We reported a case of a 63-year-old male who presented with the complaint of swelling around the eyes mostly during the morning for 18 days and frothing of urine for 7 days. On examination, the patient was ill-looking and had edema around the eyes and over the ankles. After preliminary investigations, renal biopsy was performed and electron microscopy revealed diffuse effacement of foot processes of visceral epithelial cells suggesting minimal change disease (podocytopathy). The patient has been treated with tablet prednisolone 60 mg per oral once daily, tablet ramipril 2.5 mg per oral once daily, and tablet torsemide 20 mg per oral twice daily. Hence, minimal change disease should also be considered as a differential diagnosis in adults presenting with the features of nephrotic syndrome.
We present a case of a 45-year-old female with advanced heart failure due to nonischemic cardiomyopathy, an ejection fraction of 15% complicated by ventricular arrhythmias degenerating into an ...electrical storm. The treatment approach involved antiarrhythmic medications, inotrope support, diuretics, and the placement of an Impella 5.5 device for mechanical circulatory support. Due to persistent polymorphic ventricular tachycardia, a bilateral stellate ganglion blockade was performed along with intensified antiarrhythmic therapy and deep sedation. This case highlights the role of axillary mechanical circulatory support with the Impella 5.5 in providing unfettered hemodynamic stability and the potential added benefit of stellate ganglion blockade in managing malignant ventricular arrhythmias.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UILJ, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZAGLJ, ZRSKP
In this paper, we present a detailed case study from our transplant evaluation clinic, focusing on a postpartum patient with end-stage heart and kidney failure being considered for heart ...transplantation. The evaluation revealed pituitary dysfunction, correlating with Sheehan syndrome, a condition arising from significant blood loss that leads to pituitary gland hypoperfusion and necrosis. This diagnosis is particularly noteworthy considering the pituitary gland's vital role in hormonal regulation, which impacts multiple organ systems. The gland's vulnerability to ischemia, especially due to its enlargement during pregnancy, is a critical factor. Our case highlights the necessity of thorough pretransplant evaluations to identify reversible endocrine factors contributing to organ failure, emphasizing the complex interplay between endocrine health and organ transplant suitability. This study serves as an important reminder for clinicians to consider endocrine causes in transplant candidates, especially in postpartum patients.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UILJ, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZAGLJ, ZRSKP
Left ventricular non-compaction syndrome (LVNC) is an uncommon congenital disease characterized by prominent trabeculations and deep inter-trabecular recesses of the left ventricle wall. We present ...the first reported case of Impella 5.5 use in LVNC as a bridge to transplant in a highly sensitized patient.
A 50-year-old female with a family history of sudden cardiac death, LVNC cardiomyopathy associated with TPM1 gene mutation, and recurrent hospitalizations due to heart failure was listed for heart transplantation. She had severely reduced systolic function (EF 20%) and high panel reactive antibodies (PRA). She was admitted for desensitization therapy. Hospitalized, she escalated to Dobutamine and Milrinone due to progressive shock. Impella 5.5 was inserted, and inotropes were reduced as her condition steadied. She tolerated desensitization and eventually underwent heart transplantation after 120 days of continuous Impella 5.5 support without developing hemolysis or pump thrombosis.
Post-transplant she was found to have concern for left sided stroke symtpoms but completely recovered and remians stable on follow up at 6 months. Due to the lack of prospective trials with large cohorts, managing patients with LVNC and cardiogenic shock is challenging. Novel approaches to complex patients with both Impella 5.5 support and desensitization therapies should be considered in the appropriate setting.
Our case highlights the use of mechanical circulatory support in the management of cardiogenic shock within a small left ventricluar cavity in a sensitized patient. This approach should be considered in high-risk patients in whom durable left ventricular assist therapy is not feasible.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UILJ, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZAGLJ, ZRSKP
