Right Atrial Thrombi, the Management Conundrum: 2 Case Reports.

BACKGROUND There are no guidelines providing an algorithmic approach for the management of right atrial thrombi, to date, owing to a lack of strong supporting studies. In this case series, we describe 2 cases of high-risk patients with massive right atrial thrombi who had different outcomes. CASE REPORT Case 1: A 62-year-old man with ischemic cardiomyopathy and atrial fibrillation, who was on a permanent pacemaker for sick sinus syndrome and was noncompliant with medication for 2 years, presented to the Emergency Department for evaluation of a 2-month history of progressive shortness of breath and swollen neck veins.

Acute Myocardial Infarction With Cardiogenic Shock Due to Pericardial Constriction and Multivessel Coronary Obstruction.

We present a rare case of cardiogenic shock and multivessel coronary compression due to focal pericardial inflammation and constriction. The patient was treated in the acute phase with coronary stenting and temporary mechanical support. Multimodality imaging was essential in elucidating the diagnosis.

Atypical Presentation of Small Lymphocytic Lymphoma with Pericardial Effusion.

BACKGROUND Small lymphocytic lymphoma (SLL) is a low-grade B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma and is the solid tumor equivalent of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) that is found in the peripheral blood. SLL typically presents with lymphadenopathy and is rarely associated with cardiac involvement. This report is of a case of lymphomatous pericardial effusion in a 61-year-old woman who presented with dyspnea.

A Case of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Presenting as Autoimmune Myelofibrosis.

BACKGROUND Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is characterized by multiorgan involvement and presence of autoantibodies. SLE has a broad range of presentations and manifestations, and as such, its course and organ involvement are unpredictable. The disease results from the interaction of genes, environment, and random effects combining to lead to a loss of tolerance to self-antigens and active autoimmunity.

A Rare Culprit of Infective Endocarditis in an IV Drug User: .

Infective endocarditis (IE) is an infection of the cardiac native or prosthetic valves typically caused by , viridans streptococci group, and coagulase-negative staphylococci. Risk factors include congenital heart disease, structural and valvular heart disease, implantation of prosthetic heart valves, and intravenous (IV) drug abuse. IE caused by organisms such as is rarely seen.

Venovenous Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation in a Gravid Patient with Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome: A Case Report.

BACKGROUND Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), also known as extracorporeal life support (ECLS), is a technique used to provide prolonged cardiac and respiratory support to persons whose heart and lungs are unable to deliver adequate perfusion or gas exchange to sustain life. It is indicated in patients with severe ARDS, severe hypothermia, and cardiac and respiratory failure when other conventional methods fail. CASE REPORT We report the case of a 22-year-old gravid 2 Para 1 woman who presented to the Emergency Department with pyelonephritis, who subsequently developed sepsis that progressed to ARDS.

The Insidious Cardiac Tumor: A Primary Left Atrium Intimal Cardiac Sarcoma in a Young Patient.

This case presentation discusses a rare cardiac malignancy initially thought to be a benign tumor. A 36-year-old presented with syncope, dyspnea, Computed Tomography Pulmonary angiography study obtained was negative for pulmonary emboli but revealed a left atrial mass. A transesophageal echocardiogram (TEE) confirmed a mass with multiple lobes and a broad base attached to the septum, encroaching into the right atrium, aortic root wall, base of the anterior mitral leaflet flowing to the mitral orifice in diastole also obstructing the right pulmonary vein.

A Band That Causes Leaky Valves: Severe Mitral Regurgitation due to Left Atrial Fibrous Band-A Case Report and Literature Review.

Left atrial fibrous band is a rare clinical and echocardiographic finding characterized by the presence of a fibrous band attached to the mitral valve. Diagnosis is accomplished with transesophageal echocardiography (TEE), live 3D imaging, or cardiac MRI. Most patients are asymptomatic and incidental findings.

The Worm that Clogs the Lungs: Strongyloides Hyper-Infection Leading to Fatal Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS).

BACKGROUND Strongyloides stercoralis is an intestinal helminth. Parasitism is caused by penetration of the larvae through the skin. It is endemic in tropical and subtropical regions of the world and in the United States occurs in the southeastern region.

Misdiagnosis: Acute Chest Syndrome That Evolved into Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome in a Patient without a Documented History of Hemoglobinopathy.

Acute chest syndrome (ACS) is a feared complication of sickle cell disease. Here is a case of a patient who presented with symptoms suggestive of acute chest syndrome yet had a delayed diagnosis presumably due to the lack of documented history of sickle cell disease of the patient, consequently evolving into acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). He was subsequently diagnosed with heterozygous sickle cell SC disease on hemoglobin electrophoresis.

A Rare Culprit of Simultaneous Arteriovenous Thromboembolism: Acute Viral Perimyocarditis.

Simultaneous arteriovenous embolism is extremely rare. Herein, we present a rare case of systemic arteriovenous emboli in a healthy 33-year-old male after an episode of acute viral perimyocarditis. The culprits are postulated to be viral-induced myocardial necrosis and resulting proinflammatory state in the setting of negative malignant, autoimmune, genetics, and chronic infectious conditions.