Mucormycosis: An Uncommon Cutaneous Infection at Permanent Pacemaker-Implanted Site in a Very Low-Birthweight Baby

Permanent pacemaker implantation in low birthweight (LBW) babies with congenital complete heart block is extremely challenging due to a paucity of appropriate pulse generator placement pocket sites. The development of infection following an implantation procedure can pose a life-threatening risk to the patients. With more patients in the younger group receiving these devices than ever before and the rate of infection increasing rapidly, a closer look at the burden of infection and its impact on outcome of these patients is warranted. We report mucormycosis infection at the abdominal pacemaker pocket site of an infant requiring pacemaker explantation and re-insertion into the intrapleural space.

Heart Block in patients with COVID-19

Background: Since the emergence of the SARS COV-19 pandemic, multiple extrapulmonary manifestations of the virus have been reported from around the world. Cardiovascular complications including arrhythmias in patients with COVID-19 have been described in multiple studies. Our aim was to review various case reports detailing the new onset of heart block in COVID-19 patients and to summarise the clinical course of these patients. Methods: We systematically reviewed all reports published and indexed in PubMed, Scopus, and Embase between March 2020 to May 2021, analyzing the relation between the demographics of the patients, pre-existing comorbidities, and the progression of heart block in patients infected with COVID-19. Results: We identified and included in this study 30 relevant articles describing 49 COVID-19 patients with heart block. Among them, 69.3% (n=34) of patients suffered from at least one comorbidity. 36.73% (n=18) of the patients showed spontaneous resolution of the heart block. Conversely, 63.26% (n=31) of the patients had persistent heart block, out of which 16.33% (n=8) and 42.86% (n=21) were implanted with a temporary and permanent pacemaker respectively. The reported mortality rate was 22.45% (n=11) during hospitalization. We noted that 45.45% (n=5) of the patients who died had complete heart block. 24.49% (n=12) of the patients in the studies we reviewed were suspected of having myocarditis. However, none were confirmed with MRI or cardiac biopsy. Conclusions: Additional research is necessary to unearth the mechanism of development of heart block in COVID-19 patients as well as its implications on the clinical course and prognosis. Physicians must be aware of the importance of monitoring patients hospitalized for COVID-19 for arrhythmias including heart blocks, especially in the presence of comorbidities. Early detection can improve the prognosis of the patient.

CLINICAL PROFILES OF PATIENTS UNDERGOING PACEMAKER IMPLANTATION

Background and Objective: The implantation of a permanent cardiac pacemaker for the treatment of bradyarrhythmia is one of the most popular cardiac interventions. The goal of this study is to look at the clinical profiles of individuals who have permanent pacemakers implanted Material and Methods: The study was conducted using observational methods. The study included patients who received a permanent pacemaker for bradyarrhythmias between November 2019 and November 2021. A thorough review of the demographic profile and indications was performed. Results: The vast majority of the 312 patients were older, with the majority being between the ages of 56 and 88 years old (75 % ). Pacemakers were implanted in more men than in women. Complete heart block was the most common ECG finding and the most common presenting symptom was syncope. The most prevalent sign of pacing was acquired A-V block, and the most common pacemaker mode was single chamber (VVI/VVIR). Conclusion: Acquired A-V block and SSS were found to be the most common reasons for pacemaker implantation in our study. Higher implantation rates were linked to advanced age and male gender.

Case Report On: Complete Heart Block

When the electrical signal normally does not travel from the atria, the upper chambers of the heart, to the ventricles, or lower chambers, full heart block occurs. During surgery, the atrio ventricular (AV) node is weakened and complete heart block can result. Often, complete heart block occurs naturally without surgery [1]. Patient History: Heart block is an irregular heart rhythm where the heart (bradycardia) beats too slowly. In this condition, between the upper chamber (atria) and the lower chamber (ventricles), the electrical signals that tell the heart to contract are partially or completely blocked. Present history- The patient 71-year old male who was admitted to hospital on date 25/11/2019 with the chief complaint was severe chest pain, breathlessness, excessive palpitation, vertigo, and sweating since in 4 months. Conclusion: The patient was admitted in the hospital with the chief complaint of severe chest pain, breathlessness, excessive palpitation, vertigo and sweating since 4 months and his condition was very critical and the patient was admitted in AVBR Hospital and immediate treatment was started.

Takotsubo syndrome and complete heart block, which came first? A case report

Background In 2018 the European society of cardiology published two consensus documents on takotsubo syndrome which include the current consensus on nomenclature, diagnosis, management and complications. However, little is mentioned on the association with complete heart block, except that “AV block [occurs in] 2.9% of cases”. Complete heart block is a recognised rare association of takotsubo syndrome, but causation is often unclear. Does complete heart block trigger takotsubo syndrome or vice-versa? Here we present a case of takotsubo syndrome associated with complete heart block. Case summary An 89-year-old woman presented with a transient loss of consciousness, acute chest pain and dyspnoea. A few days prior to this her daughter died suddenly of a myocardial infarction. On presentation troponin levels were elevated, the ECG showed complete heart block with a broad QRS and an echo showed apical akinesis and ballooning. Angiographic investigation excluded significant coronary artery disease. A dual chamber pacemaker was implanted after a brief period of temporary pacing. Ventricular function normalized during Follow-up and her underlying rhythm remained complete heart block. Discussion Takotsubo syndrome may be triggered by both emotional and physical stressors. Complete heart block is recognised association but causation is often unclear. In our case a clear emotional trigger was identified suggesting the takotsubo syndrome may have precipitated complete heart block not vice versa.

Outcomes of surgically treated infective endocarditis in a Western Australian population

Background Infective endocarditis is a disease that carries high morbidity and mortality. The primary endpoint of this study is to assess factors associated with in-hospital mortality in patients undergoing valvular surgery for infective endocarditis. The secondary endpoint of this study is to assess the incidence of post-operative stroke, renal failure, complete heart block and recurrence. Methods Between the years of 2015 to 2019, a total of 89 patients underwent surgery for infective endocarditis at Fiona Stanley Hospital, Western Australia. Data was collected from the Australia and New Zealand Cardiac Surgery Database from 2015 to 2019 as well as patients electronic medical record. A number of preoperative and perioperative factors were assessed in relation to patient mortality and morbidity. Univariate and multivariate logistical regression analysis was done to assess for the association between factors and in-hospital morbidity and mortality. Results A total of 89 patients underwent surgery for infective endocarditis from 2015 to 2019, affecting a total of 101 valves. The mean age of patients was 53.7 ± 16.5. A total of 79 patients had a positive blood culture pre-operatively, with Staphylococcus Aureus being the most frequently cultured organism (39%). Fourteen patients (16%) were deemed emergent and underwent surgery within 24 h of review. A total of five patients died within their hospital stay postoperatively. Variables significantly associated with mortality on univariate analysis were intravenous drug use, emergent surgery, perioperative dialysis, perioperative inotropes, cardiopulmonary bypass time and cross clamp time. Only CBP time was significantly associated with mortality on multivariate analysis. A total of 19 patients (21%) required hemodialysis after surgery, 10 patients sustained a postoperative stroke (11%), 11 patients developed a complete heart block post operatively (12%) and endocarditis recurred in 10 patients (11%). Conclusion Prolonged cardiopulmonary bypass times were significantly associated with mortality. This study is novel to report a lower mortality rate than previously quoted in the literature. We also report our findings of organisms, preoperative embolic phenomena and surgery in a Western Australian population. We recommend that all patients with endocarditis are discussed in multidisciplinary forum.

Congenital Complete Heart Block in Fetal Echocardiography

Congenital Complete Heart Block (CHB) in a fetus is a rare diagnosis occurring 1 in 15,000 to 20,000 live births which can be diagnosed by echocardiography. It’s less talked disease. It is uncommonly reported even in countries where fetal echocardiography is performed in much higher numbers. For countries like Nepal, where small number of fetal echocardiography is performed, we present a case of lupus as the cause of congenital CHB.