An Unusual Case of Atrial Wall Cardiac Sarcoidosis Detected on Fluorine-18 Fluorodeoxyglucose Positron Emission Tomography-Computed Tomography Scan.

Isolated cardiac sarcoidosis (ICS) accounts for 5%-10% of patients with sarcoidosis. It can involve atrioventricular node causing heart block, as well as the basal septum, papillary muscles, focal regions in the free wall, and the myocardium being more commonly involved. The diagnosis is achieved on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and endomyocardial biopsy.

Comparative randomized study on efficacy of losartan versus propranolol in lowering portal pressure in decompensated chronic liver disease.

Objective: This study aimed to compare the efficacy of losartan, an angiotensin II receptor antagonist, with propranolol on portal hypertension in patients with decompensated chronic liver disease.

Methods: In all, 30 patients with Child-Pugh B cirrhosis and large varices without any prior therapy for portal hypertension were randomized to either losartan (n = 15) or propranolol (n = 15). Clinical, biochemical and hemodynamic parameters including hepatic venous pressure gradient (HVPG), wedged hepatic venous pressure (WHVP), mean arterial blood pressure (MABP) and free hepatic venous pressure (FHVP) were measured at baseline and after 4-week therapy.