Global and Regional Variations in Transthyretin Cardiac Amyloidosis: A Comparison of Longitudinal Strain and Tc-Pyrophosphate Imaging.

There are limited data on the head-to-head comparison of Tc-pyrophosphate (Tc-PYP) and echocardiographic strain imaging in the assessment of transthyretin (TTR) cardiac amyloidosis. At Mayo Clinic Arizona, patients who had undergone both a Tc-PYP scan and a transthoracic echocardiogram within a 90-d period were retrospectively identified for chart review and strain imaging analysis. Patients were divided into 2 groups according to their Tc-PYP results (PYP-positive [PYP+] or PYP-negative [PYP]) for the comparison.

A Rare Case of Autoimmune Demyelinating Polyneuropathy and Hydrocephalus Secondary to Pembrolizumab.

Pembrolizumab is a humanized monoclonal antibody that targets the programmed cell death 1 protein (PD-1) receptor and blocks the inhibitory checkpoint interaction between PD-1 and its ligands. This interaction leads to the upregulation of effector T-cells and downregulating regulatory T-cell production. Although this mechanism is essential for the management of cancer, it may lead to decreased self-tolerance with an autoimmune reaction toward healthy functioning tissue.

A Coronary Conundrum: Papillary Muscle Rupture and Ischemic Mitral Regurgitation Secondary to Coronary Thromboembolism in Antiphospholipid Syndrome.

Antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) is an autoimmune disorder that has a strong propensity for a hypercoagulable state and is known to be associated with venous and arterial thromboembolism. We describe an uncommon case of APS in the setting of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, with thromboembolism, and a rare complication after an uncommon etiology of myocardial infarction. This case highlights the importance of early and appropriate type of anticoagulation to reduce the morbidity and mortality in patients with APS.

Cannabis can augment thrombolytic properties of rtPA: Intracranial hemorrhage in a heavy cannabis user.

Cannabis is one of the most commonly used illicit drugs in the United States and is considered to have several adverse health effects. There is evidence suggesting that its recreational use is associated with both increased cardio- and cerebrovascular events. Recently, multiple cases of ischemic and hemorrhagic strokes associated with cannabis use were reported in the literature (Goyal et al.