Myocardial Infarction and Pulmonary Embolism: Causal or Temporal Association?

Ischemic electrocardiographic changes in the setting of pulmonary embolism are typically the result of dilatation of the right cavities and/or right ventricular ischaemia, without coronary occlusion. We present a patient with pulmonary embolism and concomitant myocardial infarction, with the aim of exploring the possible links between these 2 distinct entities.

Left bundle branch area pacing: A new era of cardiac resynchronization therapy?

The recent systematic review and meta-analysis provided a comprehensive focus on the current state of cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT). The authors determined the feasibility of physiological left bundle branch area pacing (LBBAP) in patients indicated for CRT through a careful analysis of trials. They found that LBBAP was associated with significant reductions in QRS duration, New York Heart Association functional class, B-type natriuretic peptide levels, and pacing thresholds as well as improvements in echocardiographic parameters compared to biventricular pacing.

Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease and pericardial effusion: coincidence? I think not! Case report and review of the literature.

Background: Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) is the most common hereditary disease causing chronic renal failure, with a high incidence of extra-renal manifestations including pericardial effusion.

Case Summary: We present the case of a 41-year-old female, known for ADPKD, who presented to our emergency department with epigastric pain radiating to the interscapular area. Blood exams showed moderate increase in inflammatory markers.

Physical activity and brain health in patients with atrial fibrillation.

Background And Purpose: Vascular brain lesions, such as ischemic infarcts, are common among patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) and are associated with impaired cognitive function. The role of physical activity (PA) in the prevalence of brain lesions and cognition in AF has not been investigated.

Methods: Patients from the multicenter Swiss-AF cohort study were included in this cross-sectional analysis.

Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia following Shiga-toxin-associated hemolytic uremic syndrome: a case report.

Background: Up to 50% of cases of Shiga-toxin-producing Escherichia coli hemolytic uremic syndrome occur in adults, and the clinical presentation is variable. Microbiological analyses must be performed in all patients with thrombotic microangiopathy to identify Shiga-toxin-producing Escherichia coli, even in the absence of diarrhea.

Case Presentation: A 79-year-old Caucasian woman was admitted to hospital because of severe proctitis.

Risk stratification of patients with SARS-CoV-2 by tissue factor expression in circulating extracellular vesicles.

Inflammatory response following SARS-CoV-2 infection results in substantial increase of amounts of intravascular pro-coagulant extracellular vesicles (EVs) expressing tissue factor (CD142) on their surface. CD142-EV turned out to be useful as diagnostic biomarker in COVID-19 patients. Here we aimed at studying the prognostic capacity of CD142-EV in SARS-CoV-2 infection.

1-year radiological, functional and quality-of-life outcomes in patients with SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia - A prospective observational study.

All over the world, SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia is causing a significant short and medium-term morbidity and mortality, with reported persisting symptoms, radiological and lung alterations up to 6 months after symptoms onset. Nevertheless, the 1-year impact on affected patients is still poorly known. In this prospective observational study, 39 patients with SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia were recruited from a single COVID-19 hospital in Southern Switzerland.

Lactobacillus jensenii mitral valve endocarditis: Case report, literature review and new perspectives.

is a facultative anaerobic Gram-positive rod usually found in the normal microbiota of the gastrointestinal and genitourinary tract. Frequently dismissed as a contaminant, it is implicated in several diseases. We describe a rare case of endocarditis caused by in an immunocompetent 40 year-old male patient with a history of mitral valve repair.

Myoclonus and Cerebellar Ataxia Associated with SARS-CoV-2 Infection: Case Report and Review of the Literature.

Unlabelled: The current SARS-CoV-2/COVID-19 pandemic has led to a global health crisis. The clinical spectrum of SARS-CoV-2 infection ranges from asymptomatic infection to critical illness affecting almost every organ including the central and peripheral nervous systems. Myoclonus, a less expected and relatively unusual neurological complication, together with ataxia, has lately been associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Clinical, radiological and functional outcomes in patients with SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia: a prospective observational study.

Background: All over the world, SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia is causing a significant short-term morbidity and mortality, but the medium-term impact on lung function and quality of life of affected patients are still unknown.

Methods: In this prospective observational study, 39 patients with SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia were recruited from a single COVID-19 hospital in Southern Switzerland. At three months patients underwent radiological and functional follow-up through CT scan, lung function tests, and 6 min walking test.

Clinical and echocardiographic outcomes after percutaneous closure of patent foramen ovale: a single center experience.

Background: Patent foramen ovale (PFO) has a high estimated prevalence (25% of the general population) and has been implicated in the pathogenesis of cryptogenic stroke and transient ischemic attack (TIA), as well as in the pathogenesis of migraine headache. This study evaluated the effectiveness of percutaneous transcatheter PFO closure with Amplatzer (Abbott Laboratories, Abbott Park, IL, USA) devices, from a large single-center experience.

Methods: From January 1998 to December 2014, 577 patients (243 males and 334 females, mean age 50 years, range 11-82 years) with documented PFO and history of at least one episode of cryptogenic stroke/TIA (N.

The many faces of interstitial pneumonia: a case of presumed SARS-CoV-2 infection.

We present the case of an oncology patient admitted to our hospital during the current COVID-19 pandemic with clinical and radiological features strongly suggestive of interstitial pneumonia. Multiple laboratory tests were negative for SARS-CoV-2 (polymerase chain reaction testing of nasopharyngeal swabs, and of induced sputum and stool samples, investigation of serum immunoglobulins G and M). In the setting of an immunocompromised status due to recent chemotherapy cycles for lung adenocarcinoma and prolonged corticosteroid therapy (due to frequent exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in recent months), we actively searched for the pathological agent and found it to be Pneumocystis jirovecii.

The Dark Purple Side of Ceftriaxone: A Case Report on Leucocytoclastic Vasculitis.

Unlabelled: We present a case of an 85-year-old woman diagnosed with uncomplicated pyelonephritis, who was treated with intravenous ceftriaxone. Her chronic medications were phenprocoumon, diltiazem and bisoprolol. During the infectious phase, the patient presented tachycardia - despite high-dose beta-blocker treatment - and developed left acute heart failure, with acute renal failure (pre-renal origin).