Prosthetic aortic valve dehiscence is an uncommon complication of prosthetic valve endocarditis that may occur in patients who have undergone aortic valve replacement (AVR). The concurrent presence of aortic root pseudoaneurysm may further complicate the clinical presentation through the external compression of coronary arteries. Thus, patients may present with clinical features of coronary ischemia.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFLeft ventricular non-compaction (LVNC) is rare cardiomyopathy characterized by the presence of a two-layered myocardium with prominent trabeculations. It has high rates of mortality and morbidity. Clinical presentation could vary from asymptomatic patients to developing ventricular arrhythmias, thromboembolism, heart failure, and even sudden cardiac death.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe implantation of a temporary pacemaker lead is a very common procedure performed in most hospitals and is known to be relatively safe, but there can be serious complications in rare circumstances. Reported complications including arrhythmias, infection, thromboembolic phenomena, and perforation of the vessel or the heart are all extensively described. However, an unusual and life-threatening complication that is not frequently discussed is the formation of intracardiac knots.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFCongenital coronary artery abnormalities (CAAs) are very rare in the general population. Among these congenital anomalies, left circumflex artery (LCx) anomaly is the most common. Although many are asymptomatic, a small percentage of patients with this anomaly present with angina-like symptoms.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFSpontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) is a very rare cause of acute coronary syndrome. Despite the recent advances in the management of cardiovascular diseases, the diagnoses and management of SCAD remain a dilemma. It has been described to majorly affect females of childbearing age, immediately post-partum or on oral contraceptives.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFSpontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) is increasingly being recognized as a cause of acute coronary syndrome (ACS). This increased recognition of SCAD has been noted in patients with and without traditional cardiovascular risk factors such as diabetes mellitus, hyperlipidemia, and cigarette smoking. The increasing incidence is believed to be due to recent advances in diagnostic and coronary imaging modalities.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFSpinal epidural and psoas abscesses have been found to occur together. Most cases described in the literature have been secondary to either hematogenous spread or direct invasion. Risk factors include intravenous drug use and immunosuppression.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAs opioid use disorder (OUD) reaches epidemic levels in the United States, medication-assisted treatment (MAT) plays a central role in its treatment. Methadone, a long-acting mu-opioid receptor agonist has been shown to be effective in managing OUD. It is also known that chronic opioid therapy may have the paradoxical effect of increased sensitivity to pain, a phenomenon called opioid-induced hyperalgesia (OIH).
View Article and Find Full Text PDF