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Urinary stone disease is a common problem globally. Ureteric colic typically presents with flank pain and hematuria. However, several conditions may give a similar clinical picture. Hence, imaging studies are essential to make the diagnosis of urinary stone disease and evaluate for possible complications. We present the case of a 64-year-old man who presented with severe left flank pain radiating to the groin for two days. In his first visit to the emergency department, he was prescribed conservative treatment, but it failed to give any clinical improvement. The patient does not have a previous history of urinary stone disease. He had a long-standing history of hypertension, diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia, and coronary artery disease. Further, he had a 30 pack-years history of smoking. Upon examination, the abdomen was soft and lax with generalized tenderness. Subsequently, a non-contrast computed tomography scan for the kidneys, ureters, and bladder was performed, which demonstrated a large high attenuation fluid seen in the left side of the retroperitoneum. The scan was then repeated after the administration of intravenous contrast and showed an aneurysmal dilatation of the left common iliac artery with surrounding hematoma. The patient was taken for an emergency laparotomy for evacuation of the hematoma and graft repair of the aneurysm. The patient tolerated the operation without complications. The present case highlights the importance of considering the wide differential diagnoses of flank pain in emergency settings. Physicians should keep a high index of suspicion for aneurysmal disease when they encounter patients with risk factors for arterial wall degeneration.

A 67-year-old man presented to the emergency department for two weeks of progressive shortness of breath with orthopnea and new-onset back pain. On admission, vital signs were normal, and physical exam was remarkable for jugular vein distention with the rest of the cardiovascular exam in normal limits. A bedside transthoracic echocardiogram showed a large circumferential pericardial effusion with M-mode analysis revealed diastolic collapse of the right ventricle (RV) and > 40% tricuspid inflow respiratory variation in Doppler. Emergency pericardiocentesis yielded 800 cm3 of yellow-colored fluid. Subsequently, the patient underwent lymph node biopsy showing tumor cells consistent with squamous cell carcinoma of unknown origin. This case highlights the use of bedside echocardiogram and M-mode imaging for the diagnosis of cardiac tamponade.

Primary mediastinal synovial sarcomas constitute a rare subset of mediastinal tumors. The diagnosis is often delayed at the time of presentation impacting the five-year survival rate due to its highly aggressive natural history. We report a 22-year old female with a monophasic variant of the primary mediastinal synovial sarcoma. A 22-year-old female, with a two-month history of productive cough, fever, breathlessness, was referred to our center in view of persistent right-sided hydropneumothorax despite multiple thoracocenteses. Examination revealed reduced right-sided air entry with a succussion splash. Imaging suggested a well-defined cystic lesion with fluid, air foci, and multiple septations. A provisional diagnosis of a ruptured hydatid cyst was made and exploratory thoracotomy was planned. Intraoperatively, a well-defined cystic lesion with 350 mL of hemorrhagic fluid, densely adherent to the lung and diaphragm, was found. The biopsy revealed a monophasic spindle cell variant of the primary synovial sarcoma. Follow-up positron emission tomography (PET) on postoperative day 20 showed no residual disease and evidence of metastasis. However, the patient was lost to follow up following one cycle of chemotherapy with ifosfamide. Primary mediastinal synovial sarcomas are aggressive tumors that warrant an early diagnosis for prompt treatment. They usually present with non-specific respiratory symptoms. The gold standard of diagnostic modalities is a molecular panel looking for the translocation - t(X;18)(p11;q11). However, in low-middle income countries, a biopsy may be more practical, as they are cost-effective. The treatment is surgical resection, with combined chemotherapy and radiotherapy if metastases are present. Our case emphasizes the early detection of this lesion, its mimicry with other lesions, and the impact of early diagnosis.

Aim Mitral valve pathology in rheumatic heart disease patients is a common cause of secondary pulmonary hypertension (PH). Our aim was to evaluate pulmonary hypertension severity as a predictor of in-hospital mortality and early complications following mitral valve replacement. Methods A retrospective review of rheumatic heart disease patients who underwent mitral valve replacement between January 2017 and August 2020 was performed. Systolic pulmonary artery pressure (sPAP) was used to classify patients as no PH (60 mmHg). Patients subjected to additional cardiac procedures (such as aortic valve replacement and coronary artery bypass grafting) were excluded from the study sample. Results The study group was composed of 159 patients (mean age: 40; 73 male, 86 female) categorized as no PH (n = 32; 20.1%), mild PH (n = 14; 8.8%), moderate PH (n = 65, 40.9%) and severe PH (n = 48, 30.2%) groups. Patient demographic data and preoperative comorbidities were comparable among the four groups. Use of intraoperative and postoperative blood products was similar in all the groups. Severe PH patients had similar in-hospital mortality (4.2%; p = 0.74) as in groups with lesser degrees of pulmonary hypertension. Likewise, increasing severity of pulmonary hypertension did not confer any significant increase in early postoperative complications, namely prolonged ICU stay (10.4%; p = 0.41), prolonged ventilation (2.1%; p = 0.70), reintubation (4.2%; p = 0.90), reopening for bleeding tamponade (6.3%; p = 0.39), new-onset renal failure (6.3%; p = 0.91), postoperative stroke (4.2%; p = 0.52) or prolonged length of stay (mean: 5.6 + 2.8 days; p = 0.49). Conclusions Increasing severity of pulmonary hypertension does not appear to have a significant impact on in-hospital mortality or early postoperative outcomes of patients undergoing mitral valve replacement.

Chest pain is a common clinical symptom that leads to a patient's admission to the emergency department, which may be caused by acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Electrocardiography (ECG) is a useful tool for diagnosis, risk stratification, and treatment response monitoring in clinical practice. The coronary angiography should be done in ACS, which may detect spontaneous atherosclerotic coronary artery dissection (SCAD) that should be followed by urgent revascularization. We present a case of a 55-year-old male with the augmented Vector Right (aVR) ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction due to spontaneous atherosclerotic coronary artery dissection. The patient had a good outcome after we performed early coronary angiography, followed by the percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

Methamphetamine is the second most commonly abused drug worldwide. It is a sympathomimetic agent that works by inhibiting the reuptake of monoamine neurotransmitters, including dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin. Methamphetamine use is associated with early mortality, and cardiovascular complications are the leading cause of increased mortality. We discuss the case of a 41-year-old man who presented to the emergency department with a sudden abdominal pain of eight hours' duration. The pain was located in the epigastric area with radiation to the back. Upon examination, the patient appeared agitated and diaphoretic. His pupils were dilated bilaterally. His vital signs included tachycardia (120 bpm), tachypnea (24 bpm), hypertension (150/90 mmHg), and normal temperature (36.9 ℃). Abdominal examination revealed a soft and lax abdomen with no tenderness. His bowel sounds were normal. Given the physical signs, a toxicology screen was conducted and was positive for methamphetamine use. The patient reported that he used recreational drugs occasionally and admitted that the abdominal pain developed a few hours following methamphetamine use. The patient was treated with fluid resuscitation, analgesic, antihypertension medications, and anticoagulant therapy. The patient had significant improvement in his condition within 48 hours with complete resolution of the abdominal pain. Isolated superior mesenteric artery dissection is a very rare clinical condition. This case report highlights the importance of recognizing the cardiovascular adverse effects that may develop after methamphetamine use.

Musculoskeletal disorders represent a major public health problem and they are frequently managed in primary care centers. Shoulder pain is a frequent musculoskeletal complaint and it can result from intrinsic disorders of the shoulder or referred pain. We present the case of a 24-year-old woman who presented to the family medicine clinic complaining of left shoulder pain for three months duration. The pain was not associated with numbness or weakness. There was no history of preceding trauma. The initial diagnosis was supraspinatus tendinosis. The patient was prescribed oral analgesics and was advised to undergo multiple physiotherapy sessions. Later, the patient presented to the clinic again and reported she did not have any improvement in her symptoms. The patient was referred to the orthopedic clinic for further evaluation and management. The patient underwent a frontal radiograph of the chest which demonstrated a well-defined opacity located in the apex of the left lung. A computed tomography scan of the chest demonstrated the presence of erosion to the vertebral body raising the suspicion for a neurogenic tumor as was later supported by magnetic resonance imaging. The patient underwent video-assisted thoracotomy with brachial plexus exploration. Complete resection of the tumor was achieved with no complications. The present case highlights those common musculoskeletal complaints, such as shoulder pain, which could indicate underlying non-orthopedic pathology.

Cutis laxa syndrome is an uncommon connective tissue disorder affecting the major ultrastructure of the skin by progressive loss of elasticity. The results of this syndrome lead to the appearance of premature aging, which might also affect the internal organs. The disorder can be either congenital or acquired. The congenital form consists of autosomal dominant, autosomal recessive, and X-linked recessive patterns. The autosomal recessive pattern is the most common and severe one. Different systemic complications have been described in congenital cutis laxa syndrome, but the most serious and lethal one is cardiopulmonary abnormalities. In this report, we discuss the presentation of congenital cutis laxa syndrome with successful cardiovascular surgical management of multiple valvular heart diseases.

The transradial approach is the most preferred method for cardiac catheterization. The radial route approach has many advantages, including fewer puncture site-related complications and early mobility and discharge. The vascular complications include radial artery spasms, occlusions, dissections, perforations, and compartment syndrome. Although pseudoaneurysms are a well-known complication of femoral access (0.2%-3%), pseudoaneurysms are very infrequent (0.05%) after radial artery access. Very few cases of radial pseudoaneurysms have been reported to date. We present a rare case of an 82-year-old man on dual antiplatelet and anticoagulant therapy who underwent coronary angiography via the radial route. The patient developed a pseudoaneurysm requiring surgical intervention.

The formation of mycotic pseudoaneurysms in the ascending aorta is a rare but sometimes fatal complication after open-heart surgery, requiring cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). There has been little cited about this rare complication. We present a case of a 51-year-old man who developed a mycotic pseudoaneurysm in the ascending aorta at a previous aortic cannulation site nine years after coronary artery bypass surgery. The patient presented to the emergency department with two weeks of worsening substernal chest pain and was found to have pseudoaneurysm in the anterior wall of the ascending aorta on chest computed tomography angiography (CTA) during his chest pain workup. The patient's blood cultures grew methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA). During the hospital course, the patient's respiratory status worsened, and repeat CTA revealed enlargement of the pseudoaneurysm arising from the anterior proximal arch of the aorta. Chest X-ray obtained because of hypoxia demonstrated widening of the upper mediastinum, which appeared increased compared with the previous exam. Because of concern for rupture of an aneurysm, the patient was taken to the operating room for redo sternotomy and repair of the pseudoaneurysm with femoral artery cannulation for cardiopulmonary bypass. The patient completed eight weeks of IV nafcillin, and rifampin was added to decrease biofilm formation.

We describe a case of delayed presentation of a very large infra-renal inflammatory abdominal aortic aneurysm. This case highlights the importance of early detection and surveillance of aneurysms in rural communities. Definitive management of symptomatic aneurysms is time critical, and any delay such as for the transfer of patients from a rural site can impact patient survival. We present an example of a rare variant of abdominal aortic aneurysm.

Mid aortic syndrome (MAS) is a rare disease that occurs in children and young adults. The most important clinical feature reflecting vascular involvement is the presence of systemic hypertension. The diagnosis is usually made during the imaging assessment of secondary hypertension when routine echocardiography fails to identify the characteristic morphological or Doppler flow patterns associated with thoracic arch coarctation in the presence of the clinical features of aortic vascular obstruction. In this report, we present a case of a 22-year-old male who presented with systemic hypertension not responding to medical treatment, and whose systematic diagnostic workup revealed the diagnosis of MAS involving both renal arteries.

Amyloidosis is a clinical condition characterized by amyloid fibril deposition into different organ systems. The most common types are light chain (AL) amyloidosis and transthyretin amyloidosis (ATTR) amyloidosis. Amyloidosis involves the heart with an incidence of 1.38 to 3.69 per 100,000 person-years and a prevalence of 14.85 per 100,000 person-years between 2004 and 2018. Diagnosis of cardiac amyloidosis can be made through cardiac imaging, including cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR) and 99mTc-labeled pyrophosphate (PYP) cardiac scan. However, a tissue biopsy is frequently needed to confirm the diagnosis. Herein, we report such a case of cardiac amyloidosis. The patient presented with pericardial effusion and acute kidney injury as the initial presentation. The presumptive diagnosis was ATTR amyloidosis, but the endomyocardial biopsy confirmed the diagnosis of AL amyloidosis. The patient was started on bortezomib, cyclophosphamide, and dexamethasone therapy. We aimed to highlight the different diagnostic modalities of cardiac amyloidosis and the importance of obtaining tissue biopsy to confirm the amyloidosis type before starting the treatment.

Background Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) is increasingly utilized for most patients with symptomatic severe aortic stenosis. TAVR is linked to enhanced long-term cardiac hemodynamics, reversal of left ventricle (LV) hypertrophy, and improved aortic valve gradients. We present a retrospective observational study assessing cardiac remodeling and valvular flow patterns post-TAVR. Methods Retrospective echocardiographic data were collected, evaluating cardiac function and valvular flow patterns before and after TAVR at a single institution. Data was compiled and statistically analyzed using a paired t-test evaluating variations at approximately 30 days and one-year post-TAVR. Results On echocardiogram 30 days and one-year post-TAVR, there was a reduction in LV mass index from 132 g/m² to 110 g/m² (95%CI: 98-122; p=0.01) and 118 g/m² (95%CI: 102-133; p=0.03), and a reduction in relative wall thickness from 0.54 to 0.49 (95%CI: 0.46-0.52; p=0.05) and 0.44 (95%CI: 0.38-0.49; p=0.03), respectively. Doppler velocity indices (DVI) increased from 0.24 to 0.61 (95%CI: 0.49-0.73; p

Innominate artery occlusion is a rare entity, particularly when coupled with severe left common carotid artery stenosis. Innominate artery disease may present with varying degrees of symptomatology and can place patients at risk for both posterior fossa and hemispheric ischemic events. We present a symptomatic case of innominate artery occlusion with severe left common carotid disease. We reviewed the literature and current options for the treatment of innominate artery disease. The patient underwent successful hybrid repair with left carotid artery retrograde stenting and left carotid artery to right carotid artery bypass. She has been symptom and re-intervention free during her one-year follow-up. We describe a successful hybrid repair of symptomatic innominate artery occlusion with concomitant severe left carotid artery stenosis in a patient with a prohibitive open thoracic surgical risk.

Background Knowledge about oral anticoagulant treatment can impact treatment outcomes in patients with atrial fibrillation. However, evidence is scarce regarding the knowledge of oral anticoagulants among Saudi patients with atrial fibrillation. Hence, this study aimed to assess the level of anticoagulation knowledge among patients with atrial fibrillation taking oral anticoagulants. Methodology A survey using a cross-sectional study design was conducted among patients with a confirmed diagnosis of atrial fibrillation in a tertiary care setting. The Oral Anticoagulation Knowledge Tool (AKT), a 33-item, self-administered questionnaire, was used to assess the knowledge of anticoagulation. Results A total of 290 patients with a median age of 67 years participated in the survey. More than half of those surveyed (56.2%) were females. Overall, 195 (67.2%) patients had an overall adequate anticoagulation knowledge. The median knowledge score of participants on warfarin was significantly higher than those on direct-acting oral anticoagulants (p < 0.001). Only age was found to be a predictor of AKT. Increasing age was associated with fewer odds of adequate AKT. For every one-year increase in age, the knowledge score decreased by 0.08 (95% confidence interval: -0.13 to -0.04). Conclusions This study found significant knowledge gaps among Saudi patients with atrial fibrillation taking oral anticoagulants. Advancing age was inversely associated with oral anticoagulation knowledge.

Perioperative acute cardiac tamponade associated with perforation from pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) and radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA) for the treatment of refractory atrial fibrillation (AF) is rare. If not identified early and managed promptly, it can lead to decreased ejection fraction, hypotension, and ultimately death. We report a case of acute tamponade that was diagnosed and successfully managed following PVI and RFCA. A 49-year-old woman with a past medical history of paroxysmal AF and sick sinus syndrome presented to our hospital with intermittent episodes of palpitations and recurrent episodes of syncope. Given the drug-refractory AF, our patient underwent PVI and RFCA. A loop recorder was implanted for recurrent episodes of syncope, which revealed that she had sick sinus syndrome. During the current visit, transthoracic ECG revealed mild tricuspid regurgitation and trace pericardial effusion. Her left ventricle (LV) ejection fraction was 60%. A CT angiography of the pulmonary vessels and the aorta showed no evidence of pulmonary embolism, aortic aneurysm, or aortic dissection. However, there was an enlarged heart size and small bilateral pleural effusions. During a second PVI and RFCA, while in the operating room, the patient became hypotensive. A transesophageal echocardiogram (TEE) showed diastolic volume reduction in the right atrium and right ventricular and pericardial effusion. Intravenous (IV) resuscitation with lactated Ringer's solution and saline solution was rapidly given to the patient while performing percutaneous pericardiocentesis. In addition, packed red blood cells were transfused into the patient, and phenylephrine was given IV. There was 400 mL of blood drained from the pericardial sac, confirming the presence of acute cardiac tamponade. Following the pericardiocentesis, the patient became normotensive. A drainage tube was inserted into the pericardial space, which drained a total of 250 mL of sanguineous fluid over the next 48 hours after the procedure, after which it was removed without signs of persistent bleeding, and the patient was discharged. We conclude that her previous PVI and RFCA, and the anatomical distortion that might have resulted from her enlarged heart size, may have predisposed her to perforation and thus acute cardiac tamponade in this PVI and RFCA. Although perforation leading cardiac tamponade is rare during PVI and RFCA, the future focus when performing this procedure should be to (i) have a high index of suspicion for acute cardiac tamponade, (ii) use TEE and intracardiac echocardiography for early detection, and (iii) promptly manage the acute cardiac tamponade with pericardiocentesis, while giving IV fluid resuscitation and positive inotropes to hemodynamically stabilize the patient.

Kartagener's syndrome is a rare autosomal recessive disorder characterized by the situs inversus, bronchiectasis, and chronic sinusitis. It is found in about half of the individuals with primary ciliary dyskinesia, a disorder of dynein arms in the cilia which renders the mucociliary apparatus inefficient. One of the manifestations of this disorder is the inability to clear secretions from the respiratory pathway leading to recurrent infections and their complications. We present a case of a 16-year-old female with the classical triad of Kartagener's syndrome who developed left-sided empyema thoracis and needed video-assisted thoracoscopic decortication for her condition.

Ventricular fibrillation (VF) is a lethal cardiac arrhythmia that leads to cardiac arrest and death. It is especially deadly when it fails to respond to conventional treatment with electrical defibrillation. This arrhythmia is often triggered by acute myocardial ischemia, but in rare cases, it can be precipitated by direct myocardial trauma. Most patients with traumatic cardiac arrest do not survive, but in a minority of patients, an emergency thoracotomy may improve survival by addressing reversible causes such as haemorrhage control, relief of cardiac tamponade, and direct wound closure. We present an unusual case of a traumatic cardiac arrest, presenting with refractory ventricular fibrillation due to a cardiac laceration in a young trauma patient with an isolated chest injury.

A 26-year-old male with a past medical history of intravenous opioid abuse was admitted with the diagnosis of double valve infective endocarditis and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia. Imaging, excluding the head, was indicative of systemic arterial embolization, as abscesses had developed in the retroperitoneum and prostate. There was evidence of splenic infarct, and the presence of extensive pulmonary infiltrates indicative of showering septic foci from the heart. Antibiotic therapy was started and a transesophageal echocardiogram demonstrated mitral and tricuspid valve vegetations with a preserved ejection fraction. Fortunately, the valvular repair was successful and artificial valves were not needed. The patient had an uncomplicated postoperative course in the intensive care unit and was transferred back to the ward in stable condition. He remained on the ward for six weeks due to his unfunded status until his antibiotic course and physical rehabilitation were completed.

The size and location of cardiac tumors determine how patients present with signs of heart failure due to diminished cardiac output within the circulatory system. Poor cardiac output presents with signs of heart failure, which include pulmonary edema, lower extremity edema, jugular venous distention, dyspnea, orthopnea and can be insidious in onset. Vital signs on presentation can often be abnormal and patients may present hemodynamically unstable. We present a case of a female who presented to the emergency room after experiencing a sudden onset of substernal, pressure-like chest pain while sleeping. Vital signs on presentation were stable with no evidence of heart failure symptoms as listed above. Cardiac catheterization showed patent coronary arteries but was found to have a 5.8 x 4.7 x 3.5 cm hypervascular cardiac myxoma located in the right atrium. Instead of a typical heart failure presentation, as any space-occupying mass would decrease the effective cardiac output, the patient presented with angina. During the procedure, the mass was noted to be perfused by the left circumflex artery, creating coronary steal phenomenon, shifting blood away from the coronary arteries and into the mass, causing ischemic anginal pain. The patient ultimately underwent surgical excision of the lesion and her anginal symptoms resolved.

Gastroduodenal artery (GDA) aneurysms are exceptionally rare. Although rare, providers should have a sufficient understanding of the causes, symptoms, and treatment options due to there being a high risk of mortality if these aneurysms rupture. It is important to understand the need for close management and follow-up in patients with this diagnosis, especially in the outpatient setting. Various treatment options are available and should be immediately discussed with every patient diagnosed with this aneurysm. We report a patient with a previously diagnosed gastroduodenal aneurysm who presented to the clinic with new-onset symptoms.

The low prevalence of scimitar syndrome along with its varied clinical presentation poses a diagnostic dilemma to the treating clinicians. It usually falls under a large spectrum of conditions called venolobar syndrome. Scimitar involves the partial venous drainage of the right lung to the inferior vena cava (IVC). We share our experience of two cases that were diagnosed as partial anomalous pulmonary venous connection/drainage (PAPVC/PAPVD) on echocardiography but CT scan revealed the underlying scimitar syndrome. Perioperative pulmonary arterial hypertension, intraoperative ventilation strategies for managing associated lung hypoplasia, and postoperative right ventricular dysfunction are a few challenges faced in the perioperative period.

Background In patients with resectable esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC), the decision for neoadjuvant treatment depends on clinical staging with endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) and positron-emission tomography (PET) scan. Patients with locally advanced EAC pathology misclassified as early EAC by clinical staging are missing the opportunity to receive neoadjuvant therapy. We aim to identify predictors of locally advanced pathology in EAC to determine more accurately those who benefit from neoadjuvant therapy. Methods Retrospective study of patients who underwent upfront endoscopic or surgical resection for EAC without neoadjuvant therapy from January 2011 to December 2017 was performed. Clinical characteristics, EUS, PET scan and histologic findings were analyzed. Multivariable analysis of predictors of locally advanced stage was performed and a risk prediction score was developed. Results A total of 97 patients were included; 68 patients were staged as early EAC (pT1 or pT2 and pN0) and 29 patients were staged as locally advanced EAC (pT1 or pT2 with pN1 and pT3 or pT4 irrespective of N status). In a predictive model of EAC, patients presenting with dysphagia, tumor size >2 cm, exophytic mass appearance on endoscopy and absence of hiatal hernia were more likely to be have locally advanced pathology with a probability of 70% (C-statistic 0.766). Conclusions A risk prediction model based on the presence of dysphagia, tumor size >2 cm, exophytic mass appearance and absence of hiatal hernia can be used to identify locally advanced pathology in EAC patients.

Peripheral intravenous cannulation is a routine in the medical field with the rarity of complications in expert hands. However, at times, complications arise including the fracture of the cannula inside the vein, which is a rare but potentially serious complication with the possibility of pulmonary embolism. We have reported a case of a broken piece of a cannula in the cephalic vein removed with the help of a Fogarty catheter with the emphasis on preoperative imaging studies to localize it and use of a tourniquet to avoid distal migration during retrieval. There are varied reports about the conservative vs operative approaches for foreign bodies in vasculature. It should be removed in the first place where expertise allow so that the rare but potentially serious complications can be avoided.

With our population getting older and sicker, we are witnessing a steady increase in the volume of cardiothoracic procedures performed. As the role of anesthesiologists continues to shift towards being perioperative physicians, it is crucial to tailor the anesthetic to manage the surgical pain in both intraoperative and postoperative periods. In cardiac surgery, poorly controlled surgical pain can lead to opioid-induced hyperalgesia as well as chronic pain syndrome. As current practice encourages early extubation and decreased length of stay, clinicians have increasingly steered away from heavy intraop narcotic therapy over the past two decades. To blunt the sympathetic response and postoperative pain control, some have been using various fascial plane nerve blocks to reduce opioid use during surgery. These blocks are considered very safe to perform and do not lead to hemodynamic changes seen in neuraxial blockades. In this review article, we provide a brief overview of each of the commonly used blocks and summarize and discuss the latest clinical data for each of the common blocks and their efficacy in the setting of cardiothoracic surgery.

Introduction Managing chronic empyema thoracis (CET) due to tuberculosis (TB) in debilitated patients is complicated. Open window thoracostomy (OWT) is one of the ways to manage these high-risk patients. Closure of OWT is sometimes difficult to attain. The purpose of this study is to compare the outcome of OWT in terms of chest wall closure in two similar groups. The only difference between these groups was the circumference of the OWT created. This study will benefit patients of CET with OWT to attain early chest wall closure without being subjected to another surgical trauma. Methods This is a prospective comparative study, conducted in the Department of Thoracic Surgery, Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre, Karachi, from August 2019 to July 2020. A total of 48 patients, 22 and 26 patients in group A and group B, respectively, were included in this study. Both groups were matched for age, gender, diagnosis, body mass index, and stage of empyema, with the difference only in the OWT circumference. Results Both groups had a history of multiple chest tube intubations. Among group A patients, a smaller circumference of OWT (20-24 cm; mean 22 cm) was created as compared to group B (30-34 cm; mean 33 cm). Spontaneous OWT closure was seen in 21 (95.5%) patients in group A and seven (26.9%) patients in group B in a time period of 6.2 ± 1.5 and 11.4 ± 0.5 months, respectively (p-value: ≤ 0.001). Pleural cavity clearance was attained in 21 (95.5%) patients in group A and 24 (92.35%) patients in group B in a time duration of 4 ± 1.4 months and 4 ± 4.1 months, respectively (p-value: ≤ 0.97). Complete lung expansion was found in 21 (95.5%) patients in group A and 24 (92.3%) patients in group B in a time duration of 5 ± 1.7 months and 4.7 ± 1.6 months, respectively (p-value: ≤ 0.62). Conclusion This prospective single-center study shows that successful spontaneous early closure of OWT primarily depends on the size of the OWT created. A smaller-sized OWT, if created judiciously, not only closes spontaneously but also facilitates the clearance of purulent discharge and potentially helps in the definitive healing of bronchopleural fistulae and consequent lung expansion, thereby avoiding more invasive procedures like decortication in a debilitated patient. Furthermore, there is no need for a second surgery for closure of OWT.

There is abundant evidence demonstrating the association between gut dysbiosis and neurogenic diseases such as hypertension. A common characteristic of resistant hypertension is the chronic elevation in sympathetic nervous system (SNS) activity accompanied by increased release of norepinephrine (NE), indicating a neurogenic component that contributes to the development of hypertension. Factors that modulate the sympathetic tone to the cardiovascular system in hypertensive patients are still poorly understood. Research has identified an interaction between the brain and the gut, and this interaction plays a possible role in the mechanism of heart damage-induced hypertension. Data, however, remain scarce, and further study is required to define the role of microbiota in sympathetic neural function and its relationship with heart damage and blood pressure (BP) control. Experimental evidence has pointed toward a bidirectional relationship between alterations in the types of bacteria present in the gut and neurogenic diseases, such as hypertension. Our published data showed that miR-204, a microRNA that plays an important role in the CNS function, is affected by gut dysbiosis. Therefore, miR-204 could be a key element that regulates normal sinus rhythm and neuronal hypertension. In this review, we will shed light on the potential mechanism by which microbiota affects hypothalamic miR-204, which in turn, could hinder the sympathetic nerve drive to the cardiovascular system leading to arrhythmia and hypertension.

Left ventricular aneurysms (LVA) occur after an infarcted area of the myocardium necrotizes, fibroses, and expands, forming a dyskinetic cavity. Most ventricular aneurysms are asymptomatic and go unrecognized unless found incidentally. Symptoms commonly reported include angina, heart failure, syncope, and even sudden cardiac death. Late complications from left ventricular aneurysms are infrequently reported. This case reports an elderly woman who presented with new-onset angina from an expanding 18-year-old true left ventricular aneurysm that was successfully treated with surgical repair.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), was initially discovered in December 2019 in China and rapidly spread all over the world to become a pandemic. The most common symptoms of a disease are fever, cough, generalized body ache, weakness, dyspnoea, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Among vascular complications of COVID-19, the venous thrombotic complications, like pulmonary embolism and lower limb deep veins thrombosis, are not uncommon. But data about arterial thrombotic complications of COVID-19, especially carotid thrombosis, are still limited. We are describing a case of stroke due to thrombosis of the right carotid arteries, in a patient who had recovered from asymptomatic COVID-19. A 66-year-old male with arterial hypertension presented to the emergency department with a history of repeated collapse, dysarthria, weakness in the left extremities, and a drop in the left angle of his mouth (National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale [NIHSS]-4). The patient was swabbed for COVID-19 which was negative. A computed tomography angiography (CTA) was obtained which showed thrombosis in the branching point of the brachiocephalic trunk (BCT) continuing into the right subclavian artery (SA) and also into the right common carotid artery (CCA), with a subtotal occlusion of the right CCA, extending into the internal carotid artery (ICA) as well. From the apical lung tissue caught during the CT scan, bilateral, irregular widespread ground-glass opacifications, as well as consolidations and small reticular changes were seen in the lungs, which is typical for COVID-19 infection. A quantitative antibody test for COVID-19 infection was performed with the results showing a strong positivity for IgG antibodies, indicating previous COVID-19 infection. The patient was indicated for a standard carotid thrombectomy, which was performed without complications. It seems that one of the important factors that led to the formation of the thrombus in the carotid arteries was COVID-19 infection-induced inflammation in the atherosclerotic carotid vessels and generalized hypercoagulability as well as hyperviscosity. COVID-19 infection is an independent and important risk factor for the formation of an arterial thrombus during the acute illness and in the early post-COVID-19 period also, regardless of the severity of its course. Prophylactic anticoagulation is needed not only at the time of acute illness but also at the early post-COVID-19 time.

Lower lumbar spine burst fractures make up only 1% of all lumbar spine fractures. A burst fracture with neurological compromise, ligamentous injury, severe kyphotic deformity, or loss of anterior column support typically requires surgical stabilization. Treatment options at the L4 and L5 levels are challenging and often require an anterior/posterior approach. Very little has been reported on anterior approaches to the L4 and L5 levels when a corpectomy is required. Hence, we present a patient with a complex burst fracture of L4 and L5. She underwent a corpectomy of L4 and L5 and placement of an expandable cage through a window created between the aorta and the inferior vena cava via an anterior transperitoneal abdominal approach followed by posterior stabilization and fusion from L2 to the pelvis.

This case presents an infant boy with neonatal respiratory distress and sepsis, who was eventually diagnosed with and treated for superior vena cava (SVC) syndrome after three months of fluctuating head and neck edema. While SVC syndrome is uncommon in pediatrics and is usually caused by malignancy-associated external compression, the growing use of central venous catheters in these patients makes catheter-related thrombosis a potential cause of this serious complication. This case of delayed diagnosis highlights the importance of investigating SVC syndrome as a potential cause of respiratory distress and edema in any patient with a history of central venous catheter placement or similar procedures.

Background Acute mesenteric ischemia (AMI) is a vascular emergency with a quite low incidence, but it is associated with disproportionately more severe morbidity and mortality. The aim of this study was to assess the current trend in the treatment of AMI and to see if endovascular intervention is an effective treatment modality in the selected group of patients. Methods A retrospective review of patients admitted with AMI between 2007 and 2018 was performed. Outcome measures were length of stay (LOS) at hospital and intensive care unit (ICU), and post-treatment mortality. Results A total of 98 patients with AMI were admitted during the study period. Patients undergoing endovascular treatment compared with surgery were younger (62.9 ± 13.7 years vs. 69.5 ± 12.8 years; p = 0.01). Shorter LOS in hospital and ICU was observed for those treated with endovascular approach (6.8 ± 3.4 and 3.25 ± 0.5 days) compared to the surgical group (25 ± 8.6 and 12.8 ± 26.8 days; p < 0.001). Out of 39 patients requiring ICU admission, 48.7% were surgically treated and 10.2% underwent endovascular intervention (p < 0.001). Mortality associated with surgery was 30.6% compared to only 6.6% with endovascular intervention (p < 0.001). Between 2007 and 2012, only one patient underwent endovascular intervention and 20 underwent surgery compared to 14 patients treated with endovascular approach and 16 with surgery between 2013 and 2018. Conclusion In this non-randomized, retrospective case series, patients with endovascular treatment fared clinically better and the intervention was found to be safe and feasible in the selected group of patients. We suggest a preference for this modality where possible. At our hospital, a trend favoring this approach is apparent during the last six years.

Myxomas, being the most common primary benign tumor among all cardiac tumors, occur rarely with a very low incidence rate. Myxomas can cause various clinical manifestations or can be diagnosed incidentally. Some patients with cardiac myxomas are completely asymptomatic. Cardiac myxomas cause life-threatening complications, thus early diagnosis is imperative. We are reporting a case of atrial myxoma in a 38-year-old female without any significant past medical history, who came to our clinic for cardiology evaluation prior to plastic surgery. The elliptical mobile mass, located in the left atrium with its attachment to the interatrial septum, was diagnosed by transthoracic echocardiography. The patient was referred for surgery and a minimally invasive surgical approach was chosen. A histological report confirmed the diagnosis of myxoma. The patient recovered well. Three years of follow-up did not reveal any signs of recurrence of the tumor. We are also analyzing 20 previously published cases of asymptomatic myxomas and myxomas treated with a minimally invasive surgical approach, reported in the PubMed database for the last 20 years (2001-2021) in the adult patient population (age 19 and over). The aim of this study is to highlight the asymptomatic presentation of cardiac myxomas and to underline the advantages of a minimally invasive surgical approach. In summary, asymptomatic cardiac myxomas are rare incidental findings. Attention to subtle symptoms during a physical exam and scrupulous history-taking can provide a clue to this diagnosis. Early diagnosis of cardiac myxomas is crucial to prevent life-threatening complications. Minimally invasive surgery is a promising alternative approach to standard open-heart surgery for treating cardiac myxomas, providing faster recovery and higher patient satisfaction with surgical care.

Chondromyxoid fibroma (CMF) is a benign cartilaginous tumor that typically occurs in the long bones of young adult males, with the clinical presentation varying from asymptomatic to localized pain, swelling, and movement restriction. We report an unusual presentation of CMF involving a rib, along with a literature review of the management of CMF. Although benign, local recurrence is not uncommon, and malignant transformation has been reported on rare occasions. En bloc surgical excision, with adequate tumor-free resection margins, of radiologically suspected chondromyxoid fibroma is crucial for the treatment and confirmation of diagnosis. A high index of suspicion, adequate treatment, and follow-up are critical for the successful management of these uncommon benign chondroid tumors.

Schistosomiasis is an endemic disease commonly found in areas of Africa and the Middle East. It is a prevalent parasitic infection in the southern region of Saudi Arabia and Yemen. The most common species found are Schistosoma mansoni and Schistosoma haematobium. Schistosomiasis can manifest in the urinary bladder, liver, and gastrointestinal system. The occurrence of the infection in the lungs is very rare and usually appears after years of initial infection. We report a case of a 23-year-old Yemeni male who presented to the emergency department complaining of sudden, right-sided chest pain with shortness of breath of one day. Examination and chest X-ray revealed the presence of pneumothorax, and a chest tube was inserted accordingly. As the pneumothorax did not resolve and a continuous air leak was present, the patient was taken to the operation theatre on suspicion of a fistula. The diagnostic procedure found the presence of bullae and patterns of inflammatory infection. A resected lung wedge revealed the presence of Schistosoma eggs, and schistosomiasis was diagnosed. In conclusion, spontaneous pneumothorax secondary to infection can present in young healthy males. Meanwhile, schistosomiasis infection must be kept in mind when dealing with patients coming from endemic areas even if they present with no recent visit to endemic areas.

A 55-year-old woman with stage IV breast cancer was diagnosed with heart failure. Her left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) had decreased to 37.2%. Chemotherapy-related cardiac dysfunction (CTRCD) was suspected, and standard treatment for heart failure was initiated. After five months, her LVEF remained below 50% since she could not tolerate beta-blockers. Ivabradine was introduced, which remarkably improved her LVEF to 72.6% in only three months. Her myocardium was not dilated, which may be the reason that ivabradine was effective. Ivabradine has shown to be safe and effective in the treatment of CTRCD, and improved activities of daily living of an advanced-stage cancer patient.

Vagal paraganglioma is a rare finding that develops from paraganglionic tissue found around the vagus nerve; it has a prevalence of 0.012% of all tumors. It is the third most common paraganglioma of the head and neck but still accounts for less than 5% of these tumors, and it has a well-established female prevalence. It is a difficult tumor to identify early based on its symptoms alone and only a thorough investigation can help solidify its diagnosis. In this report, we discuss a presentation of this phenomenon that is not only unique in its manifestation but also a very difficult diagnosis due to its deceptive presentation and multiple extensions. These masses need a good surgical regime to be removed properly and postoperative complications are very frequent in most of these cases.

Low back pain is very common and the vast majority of cases are related to non-specific etiologies. Low back pain due to serious pathologies is very rare. We present the case of a 66-year-old man with progressively worsening low back pain. His past medical history was remarkable for poorly controlled hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and dyslipidemia. He had several visits to the outpatient clinics and was diagnosed as having low back pain due to musculoskeletal etiology. He was prescribed multiple oral non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and underwent multiple sessions of physiotherapy. However, his condition progressed, and did not show any clinical improvement. He underwent a plain radiograph of the lumbosacral spine which revealed decreased intervertebral disc spaces with multiple osteophytes. However, aneurysmal dilatation of the abdominal aorta was noted with atheromatous calcification. Computed tomography angiography confirmed the diagnosis of abdominal aortic aneurysm. The patient underwent endovascular repair of the aneurysm. The patient had complete resolution of his low back pain and remained symptom-free after six months of follow-up. The present case highlighted that those common presentations such as low back pain can be indicative of serious underlying pathology. Early diagnosis and management of abdominal aortic aneurysms can improve the prognosis and survival.

Rhabdomyolysis (RML) is a disease that results from the death of muscle fibers and the release of intracellular contents into the bloodstream as a result of traumatic or non-traumatic muscle injury. Postoperative RML is a rare complication that may result from improper patient positioning, extended surgery time, or unique patient risk factors. We describe a case of a 43-year-old obese male who presented with postoperative bilateral shoulder RML after undergoing cardiothoracic surgery for aortic valve disease. To our knowledge, after a thorough review of the literature using PubMed, Medline, and Google Scholar, no previous studies have reported positioning injuries specific to obese cardiac surgical patients and their relation to RML.

A 35-year-old female with sarcoidosis sought medical attention due to palpitations. The ECG showed an atrial tachycardia (AT), apparently originating in the left atrium. A 24-hour Holter monitoring revealed AT to be present during the entire day. Cardiac magnetic resonance exhibited no cardiac involvement by sarcoidosis but registered a mildly depressed left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF). Atrial electroanatomical mapping showed the earliest activation zone on the distal portion of the left atrial appendage (LAA). Considering the high risk for perforation with catheter ablation in this region, she was sent to thoracoscopic surgical LAA exclusion with a clip device; it was possible to witness the termination of the arrhythmia during the procedure. She was safely discharged two days after surgery and has completed a one-year follow-up without recurrence of AT or symptoms, and with normalization of LVEF.

Background Despite ample evidence of continuing preoperative aspirin to improve coronary artery bypass surgery outcomes, practice for the routine continuation of preoperative aspirin is inconsistent due to concern for increased postoperative bleeding. The purpose of this study was to investigate preoperative aspirin use and its effect on postoperative bleeding after off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (OPCABG). Methodology This cohort study involved patients (n = 74) who underwent OPCABG at a single center between August 2017 and January 2018. After considering the inclusion and exclusion criteria, the patients were divided into two groups: one (n = 37) received tablet aspirin 75 mg till the day of the surgery, and for the other group (n = 37) aspirin was stopped five days before the surgery. Postoperative bleeding was recorded in both groups. After considering preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative variables, statistical analysis was performed. Results There was no significant difference between the two groups concerning peroperative and postoperative variables. In addition, no significant difference was observed between the two groups in chest tube drainage at one, two, three, twenty-four, forty-eight, and seventy-two hours (p = 0.845, 0.126, 0.568, 0.478, 0.342, and 0.717, respectively). No significant difference was seen in the transfusion requirement of blood and fresh frozen plasma (FFP). Conclusions Continuation of preoperative aspirin till the day of the surgery is neither associated with an increase in chest tube drainage, reoperation for bleeding complications nor transfusion of blood and FFP.

Vasculitis involving the gastrointestinal (GI) tract typically occurs in association with multisystem disease. Isolated superior mesenteric artery (SMA) vasculitis is a rare disorder that has a high degree of morbidity and mortality. Patients often present with nonspecific symptoms, and this condition can lead to varying degrees of intestinal ischemia, significant gastrointestinal bleeding, and bowel infarction, leading to perforation, peritonitis, and sepsis from bacterial translocation. Diagnosing this condition can be very challenging. High clinical suspicion and early diagnosis using both laboratory workup and appropriate vascular imaging are pivotal in improving outcomes in such patients. Herein, we describe the case of isolated yet multifocal SMA vasculitis with coexisting superior mesenteric vein (SMV) thrombosis. Medical therapy alone resulted in clinical and radiographic improvements. To our knowledge, there have not been any previous reports of this unique coexistence.

Acute aortic dissection (AAD) is a cardiovascular emergency that requires emergent surgical, endovascular, or medical intervention depending on the portion of the aorta implicated, as dictated by the Stanford classification, and the extent of aortic involvement. Acute chest pain radiating to the back is typically seen in AAD and may be associated with radial pulse deficits. A high index of suspicion is required to diagnose and initiate management of this emergency as early as possible. This is a report of an atypical presentation of an extensive aortic dissection identified in a young man without most of the typical risk factors, but which was promptly diagnosed and treated.

Infective endocarditis (IE), commonly caused by Staphylococcus aureus, can affect multiple cardiac structures and lead to significant morbidity and mortality. We present a case of IE with extensive mitral valve involvement causing perforation and hemodynamic compromise. A 66-year-old Caucasian female presented to the emergency department for progressive altered mental status and lethargy. The patient and family denied history of intravenous drug use (IVDU) on interview. Physical exam revealed tachypnea, tachycardia, lethargy, and fluctuance in the right antecubital fossa draining serous fluid. Initial studies revealed a urinary tract infection, patchy bilateral opacities on chest x-ray, hypoxic respiratory failure, elevated lactate and cardiac markers, leukocytosis, and positive urine toxicology for opioid and benzodiazepine. She was intubated and admitted to the ICU, and later developed acute respiratory distress syndrome with requirement for vasopressors. Antibiotics were started, and blood cultures ultimately grew methicillin-sensitive S. aureus. Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) results were negative. Cardiology was consulted for elevated cardiac markers that were due to myocardial injury in the setting of septic shock. A transthoracic echocardiogram showed a large mobile mass on the anterior mitral leaflet. Further evaluation with transesophageal echocardiogram revealed a large, mobile, and centrally necrotic vegetation on the medial portion of the mitral annulus extending to both the anterior and posterior leaflets. Doppler of the valve showed holosystolic retrograde ejection into the left atrium confirming a perforation. The patient was transferred urgently to a cardiothoracic surgery capable center for operative intervention on the mitral valve. IE is most commonly caused by S. aureus and seen in highest rates among patients with a prosthetic valve, congenital heart disease, and intracardiac device. However, roughly 50% of IE occurs in patients without any valvular disease. Other risk factors include IVDU, valvular disease, and prior history of endocarditis. Clinical diagnosis of IE is made using the Duke’s criteria, with echocardiogram and bacteremia playing a major role. The initial management involves empiric antibiotics until a pathogen is identified. Surgical consult is also suggested, and indications for surgery include heart failure due to valve dysfunction, uncontrolled infection, prevention of embolism, and hemodynamic compromise. Prompt recognition and intervention is crucial in the prevention of mortality in patients with IE leading to mitral perforation and hemodynamic compromise.

Immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) is an autoimmune pathology that causes thrombocytopenia. This can become extremely troublesome when dealing with the rare clinical scenario of having to operate a highly invasive procedure on patients with thrombocytopenia. We report a case of a 66-year-old male with multiple comorbidities, including ITP, who underwent coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) with an aortic valve replacement (AVR). He deteriorated rapidly, prompting urgent procedures. Little to no literature exists on the treatment plan for a critical patient with ITP who is about to undergo an open heart surgery. Our goal was to aggressively treat the patient with prednisolone, azathioprine, and platelets in the short preoperative time in order to maximize the prognosis. Our patient remained stable postoperatively, developed no complications, and was discharged successfully.

Background and objective The prevalence of aortic stenosis in Saudi Arabia is expected to increase owing to the rise in the life expectancy of the population. Such increase is expected to be met with higher demand for interventions including transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI). In this study, we aimed to identify the outcomes of this procedure among the population of the Western region of Saudi Arabia. Methods This was a retrospective observational study involving patients who underwent TAVI at the King Faisal Cardiac Center (KFCC), Jeddah, Saudi Arabia from June 2018 to January 2020. All patients who had undergone TAVI were included, and patients who were lost to follow-up for more than 90 days were excluded. The collected data included sociodemographic characteristics, peri-procedural assessment, and outcomes within 90 days. Results The study included a total of 52 patients. There were 28 males (53.8%) and 24 females (46.2%). The mean age of the cohort was 78 years. Type two diabetes mellitus was present in 67.3%, and hypertension and dyslipidemia were seen in 80.8% of patients. Coronary diseases were seen in 55.8%. The majority had prior percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) (53.8%) and 3.8% had coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). Twenty patients (38.5%) had heart failure. Atrial fibrillation was encountered in 13 patients (25%). Chronic kidney disease was described in nine (17.3%) patients, and four (7.7%) were on regular hemodialysis. The median Society of Thoracic Surgery (STS) risk score was 2.4 (IQR: 1.97-5). High STS scores (>8) were only seen in 9% of the patients. The success rate was 98%, and the in-hospital mortality rate was 3.8%. Vascular complications were seen in eight patients (15.4%), and the majority of them were minor. One patient (1.9%) had a major vascular complication. There was a tendency toward high blood transfusions (19.2%). Clinically manifest stroke was seen in three patients (5.8%). Eight patients (15.4%) had post-procedure complete heart block (CHB). Endocarditis was seen in two patients (3.8%). Thirty-day cardiac readmission was observed in 17.3% of patients, and acute kidney injury was seen in eight patients (15.4%). Mild aortic regurgitation was seen in 51.9% of the patients, but moderate or severe aortic insufficiency (AI) was not encountered. Conclusion Transfemoral TAVI using a self-expandable valve is a safe and feasible procedure at KFCC, an intermediate-sized center. Our data is comparable to local and international centers of similar size. Program sustainability depends on the development of robust referral networks and implementing regulatory quality and patient safety standards.

Transthyretin amyloid cardiomyopathy disease burden is increasing daily due to advancements in diagnostic and imaging modalities in the modern world. Tafamidis is one of many therapeutic options. The main objective of this review is to study the role of Tafamidis in slowing the progression of transthyretin cardiomyopathy (TTR-CM) by analyzing randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and non-RCTs of Tafamidis. We searched for published papers of Tafamidis in the English language in electronic databases like Google Scholar, PubMed, Cochrane Library, and PubMed Central. We imported the resulting articles from our search to Mendeley software. Four reviewers removed the duplicates and performed title and abstract screening of the articles. The same reviewers obtained the full-text of relevant articles and did full-text screening based on eligibility criteria. Finally, five reviewers performed a quality assessment of RCTs using the Cochrane risk of bias assessment and of non-RCTs by a checklist prepared by Downs and Black. Any disagreements about any process were resolved by a discussion with other authors. One RCT and five non-RCTs of Tafamidis were included in this systematic review. From the non-RCTs, stability was observed in different parameters like echocardiographic findings, cardiac biomarkers, and ECG in patients with transthyretin cardiomyopathy during the study duration with Tafamidis. ATTR-ACT (Tafamidis in Transthyretin Cardiomyopathy Clinical Trial) trial demonstrated reduction of cardiovascular events and all-cause mortality in the Tafamidis group in comparison to placebo. In both RCT and non-RCTs, Tafamidis was established as a safe and tolerable drug for patients with TTR-CM. Our study proved the role of Tafamidis in reducing cardiovascular events, all-cause mortality, and the progression of cardiac disease in TTR-CM patients. In addition to five non-RCTs, current evidence is based on the findings of only one RCT of Tafamidis. Hence, evidence from additional RCTs is required to strongly support the stability of parameters like echocardiographic findings, cardiac biomarkers, and ECG with Tafamidis use.

Background Severe patient prosthesis mismatch (sPPM) after surgical aortic valve replacement is associated with worse outcomes. Limited data exists on the impact of sPPM on outcomes after transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR), especially regarding the newer generation valves. The aim of this study was to evaluate the incidence, determinants, and outcomes of sPPM in patients undergoing TAVR with Edwards SAPIEN XT (ES XT) and Edwards SAPIEN 3 (ES3) valves (Edwards Lifesciences, Irvine, CA, USA). Methods We retrospectively reviewed 366 patients who underwent TAVR with ES XT (n = 114) or ES3 (n = 252) valves between July 2012 and June 2018. sPPM was defined as indexed effective orifice area (iEOA)

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic autoimmune disease that can involve any organ system. Vasculitides are classified according to the predominant vessel involved such as large vessel, medium vessel, or small vessel vasculitis. Of these, Takayasu arteritis, Behcet's disease, relapsing polychondritis, and immunoglobulin G4 (IgG4)-related disease predominantly involve large vessels. The most common form of vasculitis seen in SLE is small vessel vasculitis. Aortitis in SLE is an extremely rare complication. This is a case report of a 21-year-old female patient with a history of SLE with overlap syndrome of primary biliary cirrhosis and autoimmune hepatitis associated with antiphospholipid syndrome (APS), who presented with a one-week history of left-back burning lumbar pain, radiating to the flank, which increased with changes in position associated with intermittent claudication. In the angiography images and the positron emission tomography (PET) scan, a hypometabolic left para-aortic oval image was noted, corresponding to the presence of a contained hematoma in an abdominal aorta rupture. Later, she underwent vascular surgery and hemodynamics, performing thoracoabdominal aortic reconstruction together with aortorenal bypass and left nephrectomy. Pathology fundings of the left kidney correspond with class IV lupus nephritis, and the resection sample of the thoracoabdominal aneurysm showed a marked thinning and fragmentation of elastic fibers, areas of fibrosis of the wall with severe IgG4 negative lymphoplasmacytic infiltrate in the immunohistochemical study, establishing the diagnosis of aortitis.