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A 72-year-old male with a history of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) was admitted to hospital with a productive cough and an episode of diarrhea and vomiting. He was initially treated for pneumonitis and sepsis. On the 12th day of his admission, he reported chest pain. Changes on his electrocardiogram were suggestive of myocardial ischemia and an elevated troponin rise was detected from his blood tests. A diagnosis of acute coronary syndrome was made but due to his frailty, he was medically managed. His echocardiogram revealed an external echogenic mass which invaded the anterolateral left ventricular wall. Further imaging with cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography (CT) thorax demonstrated external encasement of left circumflex coronary artery with mediastinal mass, leading into downstream myocardial ischemia and subsequent necrosis. He was considered suitable for aggressive radiotherapy/chemotherapy but passed away 7 days later. This case highlights the unusual case where an acute myocardial infarction can be attributed to direct infiltration and external compression of coronary artery by mediastinal tumor and the value of multi-modality imaging (echocardiogram, CT, and MRI) in identifying the cause of myocardial ischemia in patients with CLL in the end stages of the disease.

In 2010, the National Institute for Heath and Clinical Excellence published guidelines for the management of stable chest pain of recent onset. Implementation has occurred to various degrees throughout the NHS; however, its effectiveness has yet to be proved. A retrospective study was undertaken to assess the impact and relevance of this guideline, comparing the estimated risk of coronary artery disease (CAD) with angiographic outcomes. Findings were compared with the recently published equivalent European guideline. A total of 457 patients who attended a Rapid Access Chest Pain Clinic were retrospectively reviewed. CAD risk was assessed according to NICE guidelines and patients were separated into typical, atypical and non-anginal chest pain groups. Risk stratification using typicality of symptoms in conjunction with NICE risk scoring and exercise tolerance testing was used to determine the best clinical course for each patient. The results include non-anginal chest pain–92% discharged without needing further testing; atypical angina–15% discharged, 40% referred for stress echocardiography, 35% referred for angiogram and significant CAD revealed in 8%; typical angina–4% discharged, 19% referred for stress echocardiography, 71% referred for angiogram and 40% demonstrated CAD. Both guidelines appear to overestimate the risk of CAD leading to an excessive number of coronary angiograms being undertaken to investigate patients with typical or atypical sounding angina, with a low pick up rate of CAD. Given the high negative predictive value of stress echocardiography and the confidence this brings, there is much scope for expanding its use and potentially reduce the numbers going for invasive angiography.

An 82-year-old woman was investigated for weight loss and malaise. Clinical examination revealed cachexia, dyspnoea, irregular pulse, loud pan-systolic murmur best heard at cardiac apex along with a diastolic tumour plop sound. Figure 1 Trans-thoracic apical four-chamber view. Figure 2 Trans-oesophageal short-axis view. Figure 3 Trans-oesophageal image illustrating left ventricular outflow tract obstruction. The patient underwent transthoracic ECG examination (figures 1–3). A large mass measuring 36×39 mm was noted …