Recurrent pericardial effusion and pericardial tamponade in a patient with limited systemic sclerosis.

We describe a patient with limited systemic sclerosis who presented with a large pericardial effusion with tamponade on echocardiogram, requiring pericardiocentesis to drain 1.2 l of fluid. She had a rapid re-accumulation of pericardial fluid and subsequently required a pericardial window.

Suspected vasculitis in an adolescent female with cardiomyopathy, myocardial infarction, and heart failure requiring heart transplantation.

A 15-year-old girl presented with dilated cardiomyopathy, positive cardiac markers, and electrocardiogram changes suggestive of acute coronary syndrome. Coronary angiography showed giant dilated coronary arteries. Pathological evidence for cardiomyopathy with acute myocardial infarction was present in the explanted heart.

Acute coronary syndrome and preeclampsia.

Background: Myocardial ischemia and infarction are rare during pregnancy. Approximately 150 cases of myocardial infarction during pregnancy have been documented in the literature worldwide (predominantly anterior wall). However, elevated troponin levels have been reported in patients with preeclampsia.

Coronary artery saddle embolus and myocardial infarction in a patient with prosthetic mitral valve.

Coronary embolism is a rare cause of transmural myocardial infarction. A 58-year old female with mechanical mitral valve prosthesis and chronic atrial fibrillation who presented with anterolateral myocardial infraction is described. The etiologies, diagnosis, treatment dilemma and various management options are discussed.

Tricuspid stenosis: a rare cause of heart failure in the United States.

The authors describe the case of a 72-year-old patient who has a history of rheumatic heart disease and had mitral valve replacement in childhood. She presents with progressive right-sided heart failure unresponsive to medical therapy. On evaluation she was found to have severe aortic stenosis and severe tricuspid stenosis.