ST-elevation myocardial infarction from septic embolism secondary to prosthetic aortic valve endocarditis: a case report.

Background: ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) is a cardiac emergency that requires prompt diagnosis and treatment. We describe a challenging and complex case of managing acute STEMI in a patient with severe anaemia, deranged clotting profile, and infective prodrome.

Case Summary: A 54-year-old Caucasian gentleman was referred by his general practitioner as an emergency after presenting with acute onset of chest pain.

Does specialist review for patients with suspected heart failure predict better outcomes? An observational study on the utility of compliance with NICE guidelines.

Objectives: Compare outcomes in patients with suspected heart failure (HF) and raised natriuretic peptides who are reviewed in a specialist HF clinic in line with National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines (compliant group) versus patients who are not reviewed in the clinic (non-compliant group).

Design: Retrospective observational study.

Setting: Single large UK district general hospital.

Acute Mitral Regurgitation: an important cause of respiratory distress.

Acute mitral regurgitation (acute MR) is a rare cause of acute respiratory distress, which can present diagnostic challenges. We present the case of a 57 year old man who developed acute shortness of breath subsequently associated with fever, raised white cells and elevated CRP. Chest x-ray revealed unilateral shadowing and he was treated for pneumonia, despite the finding of severe mitral regurgitation on echo.