scholarly journals Transient bilateral chorea secondary to digoxin toxicity in a female with acute kidney injury: a case report

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
James Mannion ◽  
Samreen Tariq ◽  
Patrick Owens

Abstract Background Chorea secondary to digoxin toxicity is rare, with only three published cases describing the phenomenon. We report the case of a 78-year-old female presenting with intermittent vomiting and diarrhoea for 4 weeks. She had a history of chronic kidney disease and digoxin use for atrial fibrillation. Case summary A 78-year-old lady presented to the emergency department with a 4-week history of intermittent vomiting and diarrhoea. These symptoms commenced after a course of antibiotics prescribed by her general practitioner for a urinary tract infection. Her admission electrocardiogram demonstrated atrial fibrillation at a rate of 32, with evidence of digitalis toxicity. Her creatinine was 396 µmol/L (44–80 µmol/L) with digoxin level 8.1 nmol/L (0.77–1.5 nmol/L). Initially, treatment was with digoxin-specific antibody (FAB) and fluid resuscitation. Within 24 h, she developed transient head, neck, and bilateral upper limb chorea. Review of medications revealed no other likely causative agent. Neuroimaging showed no new ischaemia, but stable established bilateral infarcts of the basal ganglia. Haloperidol 0.5 mg twice daily was commenced. Three days later as digoxin levels normalized, the chorea resolved entirely without recurrence. Discussion We have identified three reported cases of digoxin-induced chorea. Our case resembles two of the published cases where a transient bilateral chorea, associated with digitalis toxicity and resolving within a few days of normalization of digoxin levels was demonstrated. There were no other focal neurological signs or symptoms. It has been postulated that an alteration to dopaminergic neuronal activity is a potential mechanism, as digoxin also demonstrates neuropsychiatric side effects such as psychosis and depression.

Circulation ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 142 (Suppl_3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Zaniar Ghazizadeh ◽  
Chad Gier ◽  
Avinainder Singh ◽  
Lina Vadlamani ◽  
Maxwell Eder ◽  
...  

Introduction: The prevalence and outcomes of patients hospitalized with COVID-19 with atrial fibrillation and atrial flutter (AF/FL) remains unclear. Methods: The Yale Cardiovascular COVID Registry is a cohort study of adult patients >=18 years hospitalized with COVID-19 in the Yale New Haven Health System. Retrospective medical record review was performed on consecutive patients from the registry admitted between March and June 2020. We calculated the rates of prior and in-hospital AF/FL and evaluated the unadjusted rates of in-hospital adverse events for both groups; we then calculated the adjusted odds of adverse events using logistic regression. Results: Among 396 patients, the mean age was 68.2, 52.3% were men, 56.4% were Caucasian, 28.4% Black and 16.9% Hispanic. 15.7% of patients had prior history of AF/FL. 19.9% of patients had in-hospital AF/FL, 7.83% of which did not have a prior history of AF/FL. Patients with in-hospital AF/FL had significantly more CV complications compared to those without including cardiac injury (78.5% vs 42.7%, p=0.000), type 2 myocardial infarction (53.3 vs 30.3%, p=0.002), and heart failure (32.9% vs 9.2%, p=0.000). In-hospital AF/FL was associated with significantly worse outcomes related to COVID-19 including ICU survival (OR 0.22 [0.08-0.59], p=0.002), heart failure (5.19 [2.56-10.5], p=0.000), myocardial injury (OR 2.87 [1.49-5.49], p=0.001), acute kidney injury (OR 2.02 [1.09-3.74], p=0.027), dialysis (OR 4.07 [1.38-12.03], p=0.011) and hospice/death (OR 2.47 [1.35-4.53], p=0.004). Conclusion: AF/FL are common in patients hospitalized with COVID-19 and these patients had significantly worse outcomes, including lower odds of ICU survival and higher odds of heart failure, acute kidney injury, dialysis and hospice/death.


2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (7) ◽  
Author(s):  
Vijairam Selvaraj ◽  
Chirag Bavishi ◽  
Simaben Patel ◽  
Kwame Dapaah-Afriyie

Abstract Background Since the pandemic began in 2020, Remdesivir has been widely used for the treatment of coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19). Here, we describe a case of a patient with COVID-19 who developed transient complete atrioventricular (AV) block and bradycardia after initiating treatment with Remdesivir. Case summary A 72-year-old male with a history of atrial fibrillation and lung cancer was hospitalized for COVID-19. Electrocardiogram (ECG) on admission demonstrated atrial fibrillation and right bundle branch block. He was started on a course of Dexamethasone and Remdesivir. Within 24 h of starting Remdesivir, he was noted to be in atrial fibrillation with ventricular rates between 30 and 40 b.p.m. On Day 5 of Remdesivir therapy, ECG demonstrated complete AV block. Having completed the Remdesivir regimen, during the next 48 h, he was closely monitored, and the AV block resolved spontaneously. As he remained asymptomatic and had an adequate chronotropic response with activity, pacemaker implantation was not recommended. Discussion Despite the widespread use of Remdesivir, there is little known information about its cardiac toxicity. Daily ECGs and close cardiac surveillance of patients who develop severe bradycardia or AV block are essential. Discontinuation of the medication usually results in the resolution of these cardiac disturbances.


2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (FI1) ◽  
pp. 1-6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sebastian Schnaubelt ◽  
Marie-Kathrin Breyer ◽  
Jolanta Siller-Matula ◽  
Hans Domanovits

Abstract Background Fulminant cardiac involvement in COVID-19 patients has been reported; the underlying suspected mechanisms include myocarditis, arrhythmia, and cardiac tamponade. In parallel, atrial fibrillation is common in the elderly population which is at particularly high risk for COVID-19 morbidity and mortality. Case summary A 72-year-old male SARS-CoV2-positive patient was admitted to the intensive care unit due to delirium and acute respiratory failure. Atrial fibrillation known from history was exacerbated, and made complex rate and rhythm control necessary. Progressive heart failure with haemodynamic deterioration and acute kidney injury with the need for continuous renal replacement therapy were further aggravated by pericardial tamponade. Discussion Treatment of acute heart failure in COVID-19 patients with a cytokine storm complicated by tachycardic atrial fibrillation should include adequate rate or rhythm control, and potentially immunomodulation.


Diabetes ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 67 (Supplement 1) ◽  
pp. 2406-PUB
Author(s):  
KONSTANTINA KANELLOPOULOU ◽  
IOANNIS L. MATSOUKIS ◽  
ASIMINA GANOTOPOULOU ◽  
THEODORA ATHANASOPOULOU ◽  
CHRYSOULA TRIANTAFILLOPOULOU ◽  
...  

2018 ◽  
Vol 69 (2) ◽  
pp. 375-378
Author(s):  
Catalin Pricop ◽  
Ileana Adela Vacaroiu ◽  
Daniela Radulescu ◽  
Daniel Andone ◽  
Dragos Puia

In the literature, occurrence of acute kidney injury (AKI) in young patients with unilateral ureteral lithiasic obstruction and without previous renal impairment is not very often reported, and the underlined pathophysiological mechanisms are poorly known; according to some studies, it is a false kidney failure, the increase in serum creatinine being due to absorbtion of obstructed urine in the affected kidney. We have conducted a retro and prospective study in order to identify the possible risk factors that can cause renal function impairment in young patients (18-40 years) with unilateral ureteral lithiasis obstruction and a normal contralateral kidney. Results. From 402 patients included in the study, 20.64% (83 cases) presented with serum creatinine ] 1.3 mg/dL. In patients with renal impairment, prevalence of male gender and history of NSAIDS use before admission were significantly higher than in non-AKI group. Serum urea/creatinine ratio, and estimated glomerular filtration rate (MDRD formula) were significantly higher, and respectively lower in AKI group. We found no significant differences between the two groups regarding age, prevalence of urinary tract infection after relief of obstruction, C-reactive protein value, and the duration of hospitalization. Conclusions. AKI in young patients with unilateral ureteral lithiasis obstruction and normal contralateral kidney is not quite a rare finding in our region. NSAIDs use can influence development of AKI, and should be used cautiously even in young patients with renal colic. In our opinion, the presence of AKI in patients with unilateral hydronephrosis demands urgent endourological intervention. Choosing conservative therapy in these patients, especially treatment with NSAIDS may aggravate the renal dysfunction.


2003 ◽  
Vol 37 (2) ◽  
pp. 202-205 ◽  
Author(s):  
Patrick G Clay ◽  
Molly M Adams

OBJECTIVE: To report a case of Parkinson-like symptoms appearing in a patient after introduction of ritonavir to buspirone therapy. CASE SUMMARY: A 54-year-old HIV-positive white man presented to the clinic with a 2-week history of ataxia, shuffling gait, cogwheel rigidity, resting tremor, and sad affect with masked features. This patient had been receiving high-dose buspirone (40 mg every morning and 30 mg every evening) for 2 years prior to the introduction of ritonavir/indinavir combination therapy (400 mg/400 mg twice daily) 6 weeks prior to initiation of the above symptoms. Buspirone was decreased to 15 mg 3 times daily, ritonavir/indinavir was discontinued, and amprenavir 1200 mg twice daily was added. The patient's symptoms began to subside after 1 week, with complete resolution after about 2 weeks. The patient continued to receive buspirone for an additional 12 months without recurrence of symptoms. DISCUSSION: This is the first reported interaction of buspirone and antiretrovirals. Buspirone, extensively metabolized by CYP3A4, was likely at supratherapeutic levels due to the inhibitory effect of ritonavir and, secondarily, indinavir. The Parkinson-like symptoms developed rapidly and severely, impacted this patient's quality of life, and necessitated significant clinic expenditures to identify this drug–drug interaction. CONCLUSIONS: This case demonstrates a severe drug–drug interaction between buspirone and ritonavir and further demonstrates the need for awareness of the metabolic profile for all agents an HIV-infected patient is receiving.


2021 ◽  
Vol 80 (3) ◽  
pp. 1329-1337
Author(s):  
Jure Mur ◽  
Daniel L. McCartney ◽  
Daniel I. Chasman ◽  
Peter M. Visscher ◽  
Graciela Muniz-Terrera ◽  
...  

Background: The genetic variant rs9923231 (VKORC1) is associated with differences in the coagulation of blood and consequentially with sensitivity to the drug warfarin. Variation in VKORC1 has been linked in a gene-based test to dementia/Alzheimer’s disease in the parents of participants, with suggestive evidence for an association for rs9923231 (p = 1.8×10–7), which was included in the genome-wide significant KAT8 locus. Objective: Our study aimed to investigate whether the relationship between rs9923231 and dementia persists only for certain dementia sub-types, and if those taking warfarin are at greater risk. Methods: We used logistic regression and data from 238,195 participants from UK Biobank to examine the relationship between VKORC1, risk of dementia, and the interplay with warfarin use. Results: Parental history of dementia, APOE variant, atrial fibrillation, diabetes, hypertension, and hypercholesterolemia all had strong associations with vascular dementia (p < 4.6×10–6). The T-allele in rs9923231 was linked to a lower warfarin dose (βperT - allele = –0.29, p < 2×10–16) and risk of vascular dementia (OR = 1.17, p = 0.010), but not other dementia sub-types. However, the risk of vascular dementia was not affected by warfarin use in carriers of the T-allele. Conclusion: Our study reports for the first time an association between rs9923231 and vascular dementia, but further research is warranted to explore potential mechanisms and specify the relationship between rs9923231 and features of vascular dementia.


2021 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Abraham Fessehaye ◽  
Ferid A. Abubeker ◽  
Mekdes Daba

Abstract Background Locked twins is a rare and hazardous obstetric complication, which occurs in approximately 1:100 twin pregnancies. One of the known etiologic factors for locked twins is size of the twins. We report a case of chin-to-chin locked twins that occurred at gestational age of 30 weeks pus 6 days. Case summary A 27 years-old primigravida Oromo mother presented with a history of pushing down pain and passage of liquor of 6 hours duration at gestational age of 30 weeks plus 6 days. With a diagnosis of twin pregnancy (first twin non-vertex), abdominal delivery was decided in latent first stage of labor but mother refused caesarian delivery and she was allowed to labor with the hope of achieving a vaginal delivery. In second stage, interlocking twin was encountered and a low vertical cesarean section was done to effect delivery of twins without the need to decapitate the first twin. Conclusion Locked twin is a rare obstetric complication. Whenever it is encountered, successful delivery can be achieved without the need to have decapitation of the first twin during caesarian section.


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