Diagnostic Pitfalls in Papillary Muscle Rupture-Associated Acute Mitral Regurgitation after Acute Myocardial Infarction

Papillary muscle rupture (PMR) is a rare and fatal complication of acute myocardial infarction (AMI). We report a case of acute mitral regurgitation (MR) due to PMR with pulmonary edema and cardiogenic shock following AMI with small myocardial necrosis. An 88-year-old woman was brought to our emergency department in acute respiratory distress, shock, and coma. She had no systolic murmur, and transthoracic echocardiography was inconclusive. Coronary angiography showed obstruction of the posterior descending branch of the right coronary artery. Although the infarction was small, the hemodynamics did not improve. Transesophageal echocardiography established papillary muscle rupture with severe mitral regurgitation 5 days after admission. Thereafter, the patient and her family did not consent to heart surgery, and she eventually died of progressive heart failure. Physicians should be aware of papillary muscle rupture with acute mitral regurgitation following AMI in patients with unstable hemodynamics, no systolic murmur, and no abnormalities revealed on transthoracic echocardiography.

A case report showing unusual atrial communication with severe regurgitation of multiple valves and pulmonary aneurysm: double atrial septum with persistent interatrial space

Background We discuss an unusual association: double atrial septum, pulmonary artery aneurysm, and severe regurgitation of multiple valves. Case summary A 70-year-old man was admitted into the hospital because of progressive dyspnoea. Physical examination showed a blood pressure of 132/70 mmHg, a systolic murmur on the right upper sternal border, another systolic murmur at the apex, and a diastolic murmur at the lower left sternal border. Electrocardiogram revealed atrial fibrillation and complete left bundle branch block. Transthoracic echocardiography showed mitral prolapse, severe mitral, aortic, and pulmonary regurgitation, a 60 mm diameter pulmonary artery aneurysm, mild to moderate tricuspid regurgitation, and moderate pulmonary hypertension. Transoesophageal echocardiography also showed an unusual atrial communication consisting of a double atrial septum with a mid-line chamber between both atria. A cardiac magnetic resonance scan was performed and confirmed echocardiography findings and QP:QS ratio = 1.3. Discussion In our knowledge, this is the first case report with this association. We present the main clinical features of the double atrial septum with persistent interatrial space, its echocardiography anatomy, differential diagnosis, and embryology.

The signs and symptoms of Ernest Shackleton

Ernest Shackleton, an accomplished Antarctic explorer, developed a life-threatening illness during the Discovery Antarctic expedition of 1901–4. His documented signs and symptoms included inflamed gums attributed to scurvy, severe dyspnea, and exercise intolerance, presenting in a setting of nutritional deficiency. Physical examinations at a later date, also following a prolonged diet of limited fresh food, revealed a pulmonary systolic murmur. Thiamine deficiency with cardiomyopathy, either alone or subsequently exacerbated by advanced scurvy, may have been a prominent cause of Shackleton’s condition.

Right-Sided Heart Failure Presentation in Severe Valvular Aortic Stenosis: How to Deal with Diuretic Use?

BACKGROUND: Patients with right-sided heart failure and severe aortic stenosis (AS) have many clinical challenges to overcome fluid retention. Typical diuretic therapeutic approach can be recommended for the guidance of removing fluid overload in severe AS with right ventricular (RV) failure. The aim of this case review is to understand how to assess and manage RHF and severe AS. CASE SUMMARY: A 65-year-old female with worsening bilateral leg swelling and she aware of shortness of breath for 3 months. Physical examination revealed a grade 3/6 ejection systolic murmur at the aortic area radiating to the neck, a grade 2/6 diastolic murmur at the pulmonic area, and a grade 3/6 systolic murmur at the apex radiating to the axilla, increased jugular venous pressure, prominent bilateral leg swelling, and minimal rhonci at the base of the lungs. The chest X-ray showed worsening cardiomegaly in the last 3 months. Echocardiography revealed high gradient severe valvular AS, decreased systolic RV function, and other valvular dysfunctions including moderate mitral regurgitation, moderate pulmonary regurgitation, and mild tricuspid regurgitation. She was introduced high dose furosemide infusion. The average urine output production was 5 L/day and negative fluid balance was 3 L/day. Furosemide dose was adjusted daily according to urine output production and she was discharged after 6 days hospitalization. DISCUSSION: This case report provides an example of RV failure in severe AS patient. Hemodynamic monitoring and typical approach of diuretic therapies should be needed in the management of fluid overload in severe AS. KEYWORDS: right-sided heart failure, severe aortic stenosis, diuretic.

Desaturation and hypotension in a dog undergoing balloon valvuloplasty for pulmonic stenosis

A 4-year old male miniature schnauzer with severe pulmonic stenosis was presented for percutaneous balloon valvuloplasty. The dog had been managed medically with atenolol for a month prior to the procedure. Clinical examination was unremarkable except for auscultation of a grade V/VI left-sided systolic murmur. The dog was premedicated with pethidine. Anaesthesia was induced using diazepam and etomidate and maintained using sevoflurane in oxygen. Angiography was uneventful, but when the guidewire was threaded through the right side of the heart to allow insertion of the balloon catheter, marked desaturation with visible cyanosis developed. This resolved on withdrawal of the guidewire and catheter but recurred each time the guidewire and catheter were repositioned. Balloon valvuloplasty was eventually successful in reducing the pressure gradient across the stenotic valve from 102 to 52 mmHg. Hypoxaemia did not recur during recovery and the dog was discharged the following day.

Phenotype and variations associated with the deletion of the 1q44 cytoband and the pathogenic duplication in the 9q32q34.3 cytobands

​The advance in the human genetic field has permitted to identify small chromosome alterations and associate them to a specific phenotype. However, there are many mutations that have not yet been described in the literature. We describe the clinical case of a term newborn with appropriate weight to its gestational age, without perinatal background of interest that, at birth, presented: macrocephaly, hypertelorism, low-set ears, prominent forehead, micrognathia, camptodactyly, bilateral cryptorchidism, inspiratory stridor with the cry, multifocal systolic murmur, wide anterior fontanel and hypotonia of mixed characteristics and in whom a deletion of the 1q44 cytoband and a pathogenic duplication in the 9q32q34.3 cytoband were detected. We perform a review of the literature.