Outcome of Atrial Fibrillation Ablation in Cancer Patients: A Review.

Atrial fibrillation (AF), a cardiac arrhythmia, exhibits a heightened prevalence among individuals diagnosed with cancer, notably prominent in cases of lung and gastrointestinal malignancies. Robust evidence from extensive studies underscores this association, emphasizing its clinical significance. However, the precise mechanistic underpinnings and specific risk factors linking cancer and AF remain a subject of incomplete understanding.

A Rare Case of Idiopathic Systemic Capillary Leak Syndrome.

Idiopathic systemic capillary leak syndrome (SCLS) is characterized by an increased capillary hyperpermeability with subsequent hemoconcentration, hypoproteinemia, and hypovolemia. Patients present with diffuse swelling, weight gain, low blood pressure, and shock. We present our case of idiopathic SCLS in a 50-year-old man presenting with prodromal flu-like illness associated with shock that was complicated by compartment syndrome requiring four limb fasciotomies, disseminated intravascular coagulation, acute kidney injury requiring dialysis, and cardiac arrest.

A Case of Macrophage Activation Syndrome Manifesting as the Initial Presentation of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus.

Macrophage activation syndrome (MAS) is a potentially fatal complication of an autoimmune rheumatologic disease characterized by overwhelming inflammation, multiorgan failure, and high mortality if untreated. We report a rare case of a 56-year-old man who presented with fever for three weeks and had a constellation of clinical features and laboratory findings, meeting the diagnostic criteria for systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and SLE-associated MAS. He was treated with high dose intravenous corticosteroid and hydroxychloroquine, resulting in resolution of fever and dramatic clinical improvement.

Paget-Schroetter Syndrome: A Rare Case of Upper Extremity Deep Vein Thrombosis in a Young Swimmer.

Paget-Schroetter syndrome (PSS) is a rare form of spontaneous upper extremity deep vein thrombosis associated with vigorous activity of the upper extremities. We present a rare case of a young swimmer who presented with a painful right upper extremity swelling, with compression ultrasound (CUS) revealing extensive venous clots in the basilic, axillary, and subclavian veins. Venous duplex revealed extrinsic compression of the subclavian vein, and catheter-based contrast venography confirmed our diagnosis of PSS.

A Rare Case of Leptomeningeal Carcinomatosis Secondary to Metastatic Non-Small Cell Lung Carcinoma.

Leptomeningeal carcinomatosis is a rare complication of metastatic systemic malignancy, with lung cancer being the most common cause. We present a case of a 75-year-old man with a past medical history of right non-small cell lung carcinoma and ischemic stroke who presented with a persistent headache and swallowing difficulties. On evaluation, the patient was initially diagnosed with a subacute infarct of the right posterior frontal lobe following magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Pseudohyperkalemia Associated With Leukemia.

Elevated potassium levels can be a life-threatening emergency. We describe a case of falsely elevated serum potassium level in a patient with leukemia, which was suspected to be falsely elevated because the patient was asymptomatic with a normal electrocardiogram (EKG). Common reasons behind such a discrepancy in leukemia patients are the use of a tourniquet before collection, use of vacuum/pneumatic tubes for transportation, prolonged periods of incubation, use of heparin for sample collection, and processing of samples via centrifugation.

Lambl's Excrescences Associated with Cardioembolic Stroke.

BACKGROUND Lambl's excrescences (LE) are threadlike fronds that occur along valve closure lines where minor endothelial damage occurs, resulting in thrombus formation. It is often asymptomatic but can result in cerebral embolism and coronary artery obstruction. The criterion standard for diagnosis is transesophageal echocardiography.

Diffuse exanthematous drug eruption associated with intravenous immunoglobulin.

Diffuse exanthematous drug eruption due to intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) is a rare adverse event reported only in case reports. We present a case of a 71-year-old woman with a diffuse maculopapular rash 5 days after receiving an IVIg infusion for treatment of chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy. She was managed conservatively with antihistamines; she was already receiving prednisone 25 mg daily as part of treatment for the neuropathy.

Recurrent nonbacterial thrombotic endocarditis and stroke on anticoagulation.

We present a rare case of recurrent nonbacterial thrombotic endocarditis (NBTE) and stroke despite anticoagulation. A 48-year-old man with history of antiphospholipid syndrome, prior nonbacterial aortic valve endocarditis status post valve replacement and prior stroke was found to have acute ischemic stroke while on apixaban and nonbacterial thrombotic endocarditis of mitral valve. This was initially managed conservatively with therapeutic dose of enoxaparin, but the patient later underwent mitral valve replacement.

Symmetrical Peripheral Gangrene Associated with Low Output Cardiac Failure.

Symmetrical peripheral gangrene (SPG) is a rare entity characterized by ischemic changes of the distal extremities with maintained vascular integrity. We present the case of a 64-year-old man with bilateral necrotic toes and deranged liver function tests. This was thought to be related to severely depressed ejection fraction from non-ischemic etiology, presumably chronic alcohol ingestion.

Acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis: a rare side effect of clindamycin.

Acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis (AGEP) is a rare adverse effect of clindamycin characterized by widespread papules and pustulosis 1 - 3 weeks of its use. We present a case of a 71-year-old woman diagnosed with AGEP after clindamycin use for a tooth infection. She had been started on empiric prednisone without benefit.

Negative pressure pulmonary edema-related diffuse alveolar hemorrhage associated with Sevoflurane and cigarette smoking.

Negative-pressure pulmonary edema (NPPE)-related diffuse alveolar hemorrhage (DAH) is an underdiagnosed clinical entity seen with alveolar capillary damage. The pathophysiology of type I NPPE is generation of a negative pleural pressure against an upper airway obstruction. We suspect this process was facilitated by preexisting alveolar damage with smoking and administration of the irritating and coagulopathic inhaled anesthetic sevoflurane.

Acute Tubulointerstitial Nephritis: A Case Report on Rare Adverse Effect of Pembrolizumab.

Pembrolizumab is a novel immune checkpoint inhibitor approved for use in non-small cell lung carcinoma. There have been a few cases that have associated adverse renal outcomes with pembrolizumab. We present a case of acute kidney injury in a patient on pembrolizumab who was noted to have acute tubulointerstitial nephritis on renal biopsy.

Influence of abnormal potassium levels on mortality among hospitalized heart failure patients in the US: data from National Inpatient Sample.

: Abnormalities in serum potassium levels have been associated with variable mortality risk among hospitalized patients with heart failure (HF). We aim to use a large database study to further characterize risk of mortality, demographic factors, and associated comorbidities among heart failure inpatients. : Our sample population was from the US National Inpatient Sample database from the year 2009-2011.

Acute Proximal Myopathy in a Young Male-A Case of Infectious Myositis.

: Acute proximal muscle weakness has a broad differential. Infectious myositis is difficult to differentiate clinically from inflammatory myopathy, often causing a delayed diagnosis. Infectious myositis should be thought of as a differential for proximal muscle pain and weakness in the right context.