Cardiac Malignant Peripheral Nerve Sheath Tumor Accessed By F-FDG PET/CT.

This is a case report of a patient presenting an extremely rare cardiac malignancy: malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumour. The F-fluorodeoxyglucosis positron emission tomography associated to computed tomography (F-FDG PET/CT) accesses the tumour anatomy and metabolic activity, thereby making it possible to characterize a malignant neoplasm noninvasively. The diagnostic approach with F-FDG PET/CT spared the heart from a likely futile invasive procedure when detecting a distant metastasis and changed the biopsy site and therapeutic planning.

[Is it necessary to suspend betablockers in decompensated heart failure with low output?].

Background: there is evidence that the suspension of betablockers (BB) in decompensated heart failure may increase mortality. Dobutamine (dobuta) is the most commonly used inotrope in decompensation, however, BB and dobuta act with the same receptor with antagonist actions, and concurrent use of both drugs could hinder compensation.

Objective: to evaluate whether the maintenance of BB associated with dobuta difficults cardiac compensation.