1/45. The nondiagnostic ECG in the chest pain patient: normal and nonspecific initial ECG presentations of acute MI.The 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG) is a powerful clinical tool used in the evaluation of chest pain patients, assisting in the selection of the proper therapy. Unfortunately, the ECG is diagnostic of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) in only one-half of such patients at initial hospital evaluation. In the remaining group of patients with the nondiagnostic 12-lead electrocardiogram, the ECG may be entirely normal, show nonspecific sinus tachycardia (ST) segment-T wave abnormalities, or obvious ischemic changes. In adult chest pain patients treated in the emergency department (ED), 1% to 4% of such patients with an absolutely normal ECG had a final hospital diagnosis of AMI; furthermore, patients with nonspecific electrocardiographic abnormalities experienced AMI in 4% of cases. These findings reinforce the teaching point that the history is the most important tool used in the evaluation of chest pain patients. Furthermore, overreliance on a normal or nonspecifically abnormal ECG in a patient with a classic description of anginal chest pain is dangerous.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = chest pain, chest (Clic here for more details about this article) |
2/45. Recurrent ventricular tachycardia in hypothyroidism.Ventricular tachycardia associated with myxoedema is rare. Only two cases have so far been documented. In the report by Hansen, the patient had recurrent chest pain which suggested coexisting coronary heart disease. In the second case, the patient developed recurrent ventricular tachycardia only after intravenous triiodothyronine was given. This paper reports a further case of hypothyroidism with recurrent episodes of ventricular tachycardia and ventricular fibrillation which was not associated with any of the established causes of this arrhythmia.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 0.125keywords = chest pain, chest (Clic here for more details about this article) |
3/45. Monitoring equipment induced tachycardia in patients with minute ventilation rate-responsive pacemakers.Minute ventilation-sensing pacemakers enable the paced heart to respond to an increased workload. Two patients with such a pacemaker developed pacemaker-driven tachycardia when connected to an electrocardiogram (ECG) monitor also capable of documenting ventilatory frequency and ECG lead disconnection. This tachycardia stopped when the ECG leads were removed. These pacemakers and monitors emit a low-amplitude electrical current and measure the resultant impedence signal across the chest. When patients are connected to the monitor the pacemaker sensor summates both impedence signals and the paced heart rate is increased as a result.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 0.010158070509077keywords = chest (Clic here for more details about this article) |
4/45. Hormonal and cardiovascular reflex assessment in a female patient with pure autonomic failure.We report the case of a 72-year-old female with pure autonomic failure, a rare entity, whose diagnosis of autonomic dysfunction was determined with a series of complementary tests. For approximately 2 years, the patient has been experiencing dizziness and a tendency to fall, a significant weight loss, generalized weakness, dysphagia, intestinal constipation, blurred vision, dry mouth, and changes in her voice. She underwent clinical assessment and laboratory tests (biochemical tests, chest X-ray, digestive endoscopy, colonoscopy, chest computed tomography, abdomen and pelvis computed tomography, abdominal ultrasound, and ambulatory blood pressure monitoring). Measurements of catecholamine and plasmatic renin activity were performed at rest and after physical exercise. Finally the patient underwent physiological and pharmacological autonomic tests that better diagnosed dysautonomia.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 0.020316141018153keywords = chest (Clic here for more details about this article) |
5/45. Inferior vena cava loop of the implantable cardioverter defibrillator endocardial lead: a possible solution of the growth problem in pediatric implantation.The ICD is an important treatment option in adults and children with life-threatening tachyarrhythmias. The possibility of lead displacement caused by growth and the lack of dedicated leads and devices poses special problems in pediatric ICD implantation. We describe our experience in three children in whom we left a redundant lead loop within the inferior vena cava (IVC) is allow for further growth. Since February 1998, three children underwent ICD implantation at our institution. A lead (screw-in) was advanced into the right ventricular apex, and a loop was created in the IVC by progressively withdrawing the stylet and pushing in the lead. Satisfactory sensing and pacing threshold values were obtained and a successful single 16-J defibrillation test was performed. No complications were encountered. After a mean follow-up of 16 months, with a mean increase in body weight and height of 4.1 /- 0.5 Kg and 6.3 /- 0.4 cm, respectively, chest X ray showed some release of additional lead length, in the absence of dislodgments, while significant changes in pacing/sensing parameters were not found. In conclusion, the creation of a loop within the IVC allows the lead to adjust for growth in children receiving an ICD. This approach is feasible and safe.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 0.010158070509077keywords = chest (Clic here for more details about this article) |
6/45. death due to bioterrorism-related inhalational anthrax: report of 2 patients.On October 9, 2001, a letter containing anthrax spores was mailed from new jersey to washington, DC. The letter was processed at a major postal facility in washington, DC, and opened in the Senate's Hart Office Building on October 15. Between October 19 and October 26, there were 5 cases of inhalational anthrax among postal workers who were employed at that major facility or who handled bulk mail originating from that facility. The cases of 2 postal workers who died of inhalational anthrax are reported here. Both patients had nonspecific prodromal illnesses. One patient developed predominantly gastrointestinal symptoms, including nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain. The other patient had a "flulike" illness associated with myalgias and malaise. Both patients ultimately developed dyspnea, retrosternal chest pressure, and respiratory failure requiring mechanical ventilation. leukocytosis and hemoconcentration were noted in both cases prior to death. Both patients had evidence of mediastinitis and extensive pulmonary infiltrates late in their course of illness. The durations of illness were 7 days and 5 days from onset of symptoms to death; both patients died within 24 hours of hospitalization. Without a clinician's high index of suspicion, the diagnosis of inhalational anthrax is difficult during nonspecific prodromal illness. Clinicians have an urgent need for prompt communication of vital epidemiologic information that could focus their diagnostic evaluation. Rapid diagnostic assays to distinguish more common infectious processes from agents of bioterrorism also could improve management strategies.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 0.010158070509077keywords = chest (Clic here for more details about this article) |
7/45. Inverted pacemaker mediated tachycardia induced during noninvasive electrophysiology testing.This report describes a case in which an implanted pacemaker programmed to perform noninvasive electrophysiology testing resulted in an unusual form of pacemaker mediated tachycardia. The method of chest wall stimulation was used by programming a unipolar, triggered pacing mode with a short refractory period. In the AAT mode, far-field R wave sensing occurred beyond the physiological atrial refractory period. The triggered atrial response resulted in a single chamber, pacemaker mediated tachycardia.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 0.010158070509077keywords = chest (Clic here for more details about this article) |
8/45. Primary cardiac T-cell lymphoma.Primary cardiac lymphoma (PCL), defined as a lymphoma clinically mimicking cardiac disease, with the bulk of the tumor located intrapericardially, is extremely rare in immunocompetent patients. Clinical manifestations vary depending on sites of involvement in the heart and include chest pain, arrhythmias, pericardial effusion, and heart failure. diagnosis is often difficult and may require invasive procedures; in some cases, diagnosis is not made until autopsy. Histologically, nearly all cases of PCL reported thus far have been of B-cell origin. In this report, we describe a case of PCL of T-cell origin in an adult immunocompetent patient, the second reported in the literature to the best of our knowledge, and provide a brief overview of the features of previously published PCL cases.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 0.125keywords = chest pain, chest (Clic here for more details about this article) |
9/45. Herbal ecstasy: cardiovascular complications of khat chewing in pregnancy.Chewing fresh leaves of the Khat plant (catha edulis Celestrasae) is a widespread habit (also practiced by women, even during pregnancy) with a deep-rooted tradition in East africa and the Arabian Peninsula. With the influx of immigrants from East africa and the Arabian Peninsula khat chewing has been imported into other countries including europe the united states. The major pharmacologically active constituent of the fresh khat leaves is cathinone. Khat (also known as herbal ecstasy) is chewed for its central nervous system stimulant properties, which resemble amphetamine. Cardiovascular complications from cathinone use may therefore be similar to those of amphetamine. I herein present the first reported case of a pregnant patient who developed chest pain, tachycardia, and hypertension following khat-chewing session.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 0.125keywords = chest pain, chest (Clic here for more details about this article) |
10/45. Pronounced unexplained preoperative tachycardia heralding serious cardiac events: a series of three cases.PURPOSE: Pronounced, unexplained preoperative tachycardia can be a formidable challenge for the anesthesiologist. Whereas the relationship between persistent intraoperative tachycardia and perioperative morbidity is indisputable, there is a lack of available data on unexplained preoperative tachycardia. The main objective of this case series is to stimulate research and discussion on this topic, so that guidelines can be developed to aid in management. CLINICAL FEATURES: We present three patients with pronounced (> or = 130 beats x min(-1)) unexplained preoperative tachycardia who suffered adverse perioperative events that were garnered from quality improvement records at two teaching hospitals. In the first case, a 38-yr-old woman with a lumbar spinal tumour went into ventricular fibrillation after induction of anesthesia and was found on subsequent evaluation to have an abnormal cardiac re-entrant pathway. In the second case, an otherwise healthy middle-aged man developed a wide complex tachycardia with hypotension during foot surgery, with the subsequent cardiac evaluation being negative. In the third case, a young, healthy woman scheduled for a melanoma incision developed crushing, substernal chest pain accompanied by nausea and shortness of valve prolapse with regurgitation. Before rescheduling the procedures, therapeutic interventions were undertaken that facilitated successful completion of the surgeries. CONCLUSIONS: There are currently no data regarding the prevalence of unexplained preoperative tachycardia, and no guidelines to direct management. More research is needed on this important topic, including epidemiological data and management algorithm(s).- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 0.125keywords = chest pain, chest (Clic here for more details about this article) |
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