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Abstract Background Heart transplant (HT) recipients demonstrate limited exercise capacity compared to normal patients, very likely for multiple reasons. In this study we hypothesized that left atrial volume (LAV), which is known to predict exercise capacity in patients with various cardiac pathologies including heart failure and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is associated with limited exercise capacity of HT recipients. Methods We analyzed 50 patients [age 57 ±2 (SEM), 12 females] who had a post-HT echocardiography and cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPX) within 9 weeks time at clinic follow up. The change in LAV (ΔLAV) was also computed as the difference in LAV from the preceding one-year to the study echocardiogram. Correlations among the measured parameters were assessed with a Pearson's correlation analysis. Results LAV (n = 50) and ΔLAV (n = 40) indexed to body surface area were 40.6 ± 11.5 ml·m-2 and 1.9 ± 8.5 ml·m-2·year-1, data are mean ± SD, respectively. Indexed LAV and ΔLAV were both significantly correlated with the ventilatory efficiency, assessed by the VE/VCO2 slope (r = 0.300, p = 0.038; r = 0.484, p = 0.002, respectively). LAV showed a significant correlation with peak oxygen consumption (r = -0.328, p = 0.020). Conclusions Although our study is limited by a retrospective study design and relatively small number of patients, our findings suggest that enlarged LAV and increasing change in LAV is associated with the diminished exercise capacity in HT recipients and warrants further investigation to better elucidate this relationship.

Pericarditis leading to constrictive physiology is rarely diagnosed given its vague presentation. Abnormal diastolic filling from a stiff pericardium brings about signs and symptoms consistent with right-sided heart failure. We report the case of a 57-year-old female who presented with worsening shortness of breath and signs of volume overload. Chest computed tomography showed evidence of pericardial calcifications with pericardial effusion. Further evaluation with right heart catheterization suggested findings diagnostic of constrictive pericarditis., Competing Interests: Human subjects: Consent was obtained or waived by all participants in this study. Conflicts of interest: In compliance with the ICMJE uniform disclosure form, all authors declare the following: Payment/services info: All authors have declared that no financial support was received from any organization for the submitted work. Financial relationships: All authors have declared that they have no financial relationships at present or within the previous three years with any organizations that might have an interest in the submitted work. Other relationships: All authors have declared that there are no other relationships or activities that could appear to have influenced the submitted work., (Copyright © 2024, Mohammed et al.)

Cases of coronary vasospasm leading to ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) have been described. However, hypovolemia as an etiology of coronary vasospasm has been rarely reported. We report the case of a 57-year-old male who presented to the hospital with syncope, with electrocardiogram (EKG) findings suggestive of ST elevation in the inferior leads. The catheterization lab was activated, and coronary angiography was performed, which showed no evidence of thrombotic occlusion with diffuse disease in the right coronary artery and left anterior descending artery that resolved with aggressive fluid resuscitation., Competing Interests: Human subjects: Consent was obtained or waived by all participants in this study. Conflicts of interest: In compliance with the ICMJE uniform disclosure form, all authors declare the following: Payment/services info: All authors have declared that no financial support was received from any organization for the submitted work. Financial relationships: All authors have declared that they have no financial relationships at present or within the previous three years with any organizations that might have an interest in the submitted work. Other relationships: All authors have declared that there are no other relationships or activities that could appear to have influenced the submitted work., (Copyright © 2024, Mohammed et al.)

Thebesian veins are microfistulae that drain the coronary arteries directly into one or more chambers of the heart. Persistence of these anomalous connections into adulthood can lead to shunting of blood away from the myocardium causing typical chest pain symptoms with electrocardiogram changes consistent with ischemia. We describe a case of a 77-year-old female who underwent ischemic evaluation for her symptoms found to have significant Thebesian veins. We also engage in a comprehensive review of the literature finding consistencies in the way these cases are presented in the literature., Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist., (Copyright © 2024, Mohammed et al.)