Chest Pain in a Psychiatric Patient Due to Clozapine-Induced Myopericarditis

Drug-induced myocarditis is a rare, but underrecognized complication of clozapine therapy for schizophrenia. We present a case of clozapine-induced myocarditis with recovery of cardiac function after drug cessation and summarize the literature to highlight the variable presentation of this condition.

Treatment of cystoid macular oedema secondary to pentosan polysulfate maculopathy using anti-VEGF and intravitreal steroid injections

Background Pentosan polysulfate-related maculopathy is a recently described clinical entity, related to dose and long term use of this medication, and may progress despite drug cessation. Cystoid macular oedema (CMO) has been reported in some cases, but there are few reports of treatment outcomes in the literature. Aims We present the case of a 55 year old female, with CMO secondary to pentosan polysulfate maculopathy, that was responsive to treatment with both intravitreal anti-VEGF and steroid injections, stabilising vision over a four year follow up period. Conclusions This is the first report, to our knowledge, of CMO related to pentosan polysulfate maculopathy responding to intravitreal steroid injections, broadening the therapeutic options for preserving vision in these patients.

The Effects of Verapamil, Hydralazine, and Doxazosin on Renin, Aldosterone, and the Ratio Thereof

Purpose Hydralazine, doxazosin, and verapamil are currently recommended by the Endocrine Society as acceptable bridging treatment in those in whom full cessation of antihypertensive medication is infeasible during screening for primary aldosteronism (PA). This is under the assumption that they cause minimal to no effect on the aldosterone-to-renin ratio, the most widely used screening test for PA. However, limited evidence is available regarding the effects of these particular drugs on said ratio. Methods In the present study, we retrospectively assessed the changes in aldosterone, renin, and aldosterone-to-renin values in essential hypertensive participants before and after treatment with either hydralazine (n = 26) or doxazosin (n = 20) or verapamil (n = 15). All samples were taken under highly standardized conditions. Results Hydralazine resulted in a borderline significant rise in active plasma renin concentration (19 vs 25 mIU/L, p = 0.067) and a significant fall in the aldosterone-to-renin ratio (38 vs 24, p = 0.017). Doxazosin caused declines in both plasma aldosterone concentration (470 vs 330 pmol/L, p = 0.028) and the aldosterone-to-renin ratio (30 vs 20, p = 0.020). With respect to verapamil, we found no statistically significant effect on any of these outcome variables. Conclusion We conclude that the assumption that these drugs can be used with little consequence to the aldosterone-to-renin cannot be substantiated. While it is possible that they are indeed the best option when full antihypertensive drug cessation is infeasible, the potential effects of these drugs must still be taken into account when interpreting the aldosterone-to-renin ratio.

The Effects of Verapamil, Hydralazine and Doxazosin on Renin, Aldosterone and The Ratio Thereof

PURPOSE Hydralazine, doxazosin and verapamil are currently recommended by the Endocrine Society as acceptable bridging treatment in those in whom full cessation of antihypertensive medication is infeasible during screening for primary aldosteronism (PA). This is under the assumption that they cause minimal to no effect on the aldosterone-to-renin ratio, the most widely used screening test for PA. However, limited evidence is available regarding the effects of these particular drugs on said ratio. METHODS In the present study, we retrospectively assessed the changes in aldosterone, renin and aldosterone-to-renin values in essential hypertensive participants before and after treatment with either hydralazine (n = 26), or doxazosin (n = 20) or verapamil (n = 15). All samples were taken under highly standardised conditions. RESULTS Hydralazine resulted in a borderline significant rise in active plasma renin concentration (19 vs 25 mIU/L, p = 0.067) and a significant fall in the aldosterone-to-renin ratio (38 vs 24, p = 0.017). Doxazosin caused declines in both plasma aldosterone concentration (470 vs 330 pmol/L, p = 0.028) and the aldosterone-to-renin ratio (30 vs 20, p = 0.020). With respect to verapamil, we found no statistically significant effect on any of these outcome variables. CONCLUSION We conclude that the assumption that these drugs can be used with little consequence to the aldosterone-to-renin cannot be substantiated. While it is possible that they are indeed the best option when full antihypertensive drug cessation is infeasible, the potential effects of these drugs must still be taken into account when interpreting the aldosterone-to-renin ratio.

Perioperative Myocardial Injury After Elective Neurosurgery: Incidence, Risk Factors and Effects on Mortality.

BackgroundPerioperative myocardial injury is an important reason of mortality and morbidity after neurosurgery. It usually is missed due to asymptomatic character. In the present study, we investigated myocardial injury after noncardiac surgery (MINS) incidence, the risk factor for MINS and association of MINS with 30-day mortality in neurosurgery patients.MethodsPatients with cardiac risk who underwent elective neurosurgery were enrolled to the study. The patients’ demographics, comorbidities, medications used, medical history, and type of operation were recorded. The high-sensitivity cardiac troponin (hs-cTn) levels of the patients were measured 12, 24, and 48 hours after surgery. The patients were considered as MINS-positive if at least one of their postoperative hs-cTn measurement values was ≥14 ng/l. All the patients were followed up for 30 days after surgery for evaluation of their outcomes, including total mortality, mortality due to cardiovascular cause, and major cardiac events.ResultsTotal 312 patients completed the study and 64 (20.5%) of them was MINS positive. Long antiplatelet or anticoagulant drug cessation time (OR: 4.9, 95%CI: 2.1-9.4) was found the most prominent risk factor for MINS occurrence. Total mortality rate was 2.4% and 6.2% in patients MINS negative and positive respectively (p = 0.112). The mortality rate due to cardiovascular reasons (0.8% for without MINS, 4.7for with MINS, and p=0.026) and incidence of the major cardiac event (4% for without MINS, 10.9 for with MINS, and p=0.026) were significantly higher in patients with MINS.ConclusionsMINS is a common problem after neurosurgery and, high postoperative hs-cTn level is associated with mortality and morbidity.

Hydroxychloroquine-Induced Creatine Kinase Elevation

Long-term administration of hydroxychloroquine and chloroquine leads to deposition in the tissues including muscles, nerves and retina. Here, we report a case of hydroxychloroquine induced creatine kinase elevation after loading dose. An 80-year-old man with comorbidities, presented with a dry cough, high fever, diarrhea and general condition disorder ongoing for the last 3 days. The patient was admitted to the intensive care unit. The treatment was commenced with hydroxychloroquine. On the first day of treatment, the loading dose of hydroxychloroquine was started as 400 mg q12h, and treatment was continued as 200 mg q12h from the 3rd dose. After the hydroxychloroquine loading dose, the patient’s creatine kinase level increased, and after drug cessation, the level decreased. Hydroxychloroquine-induced creatine kinase elevated may be on not only long-term use but also acute period. Clinicians should have a high suspicion for hydroxychloroquine toxicity in patients with risk factors.