Takotsubo cardiomyopathy--transient left ventricular apical ballooning mimicking acute myocardial infarction.

Takotsubo cardiomyopathy is characterized by transient left ventricular dysfunction with clinical symptoms of chest pain, electrocardiographic changes of ST-segment elevation or T wave inversion, which mimics acute myocardial infarction in patients without angiographically significant coronary artery stenosis. We report a 75-year-old woman with a history of chest tightness who presented with typical pictures of takotsubo cardiomyopathy. Acute myocardial infarction was initially diagnosed based on the electrocardiographic changes and elevated troponin. Apical akinesis and ballooning with basal hyperkinesis were noted during left ventriculography. Coronary angiography, however, did not show significant coronary artery stenosis. Electrocardiography was normal 3 months later. Follow-up echocardiography did not show any wall motion abnormality. This patient remained well without chest pain or dyspnea over 24 months of follow-up. Optimal medical management of takotsubo cardiomyopathy remains unclear. This patient received diltiazem to prevent possible coronary artery spasm. The prognosis of this syndrome seems to be favorable except for occasional mortality due to left ventricular rupture or ventricular arrhythmia. Recurrence of this syndrome is rare.     

Tako-Tsubo cardiomyopathy caused immediately following cesarean section delivery of triplets: a case report

The name 'tako-tsubo' cardiomyopathy was initially used to describe a unique 'short-neck round-flask'-shaped form of left ventricular apical ballooning, resembling a Japanese tako-tsubo, a jar (tsubo) used for capturing octopus (tako). Tako-tsubo cardiomyopathy exhibits acute onset, transient left ventricular apical wall motion abnormalities with chest symptoms and minimal myocardial enzymatic release, mimicking acute myocardial infarction in patients without angiographic stenosis on coronary angiography. There have been few case reports on tako-tsubo cardiomyopathy, and this disorder is especially rare in pregnant women. A 30-year-old woman who was pregnant with triplets, and had been treated with ritodrine hydrochloride for 12 weeks for threatened premature delivery, underwent cesarean section with spinal anesthesia at 30 weeks' gestation. Three hours later, she complained of acute chest pain, dyspnea and episodes of unconsciousness. She was transferred to the intensive care unit and intubated for ventilatory support. We diagnosed heart failure due to tako-tsubo cardiomyopathy based on heart ultrasonography, blood tests, chest X-ray, electrocardiogram and myocardial scintigraphy. She was extubated from the ventilator after 3 days of catecholamine, furosemide and carperitide administration. She was discharged from the hospital on day 53 without symptoms.     

Prospective trial of the six hour rule in stab wounds of the chest

Stab wounds of the chest may be associated with a spectrum of injuries ranging from the lethal to the insignificant. The management of asymptomatic patients with stab wounds of the chest is controversial. The results of previous reports have asserted that asymptomatic patients with stab wounds of the chest do not have delayed complications develop if roentgenograms of the chest taken six hours after the injury are normal. This "rule" has not been validated. A three year, prospective study of patients with stab wounds of the chest was done. Patients were excluded from the study if they had symptoms on arrival, evidence of physiologic derangement caused by intrathoracic injury, wounds near the subclavian vessels or precordial wounds. Patients with lower thoracic stab wounds were evaluated by diagnostic peritoneal lavage. If findings from lavage were negative, the patients were included in the study. One hundred and five patients met the criteria for inclusion in the study group. All of the patients were hospitalized and examined serially. All had roentgenograms of the chest performed at admission, at six hours and at 24 hours. Four patients had a pneumothorax or hemothorax develop between the time of admission and six hours of hospitalization. In the remaining 101 patients, none had a pneumothorax or hemothorax between six and 24 hours. No patient asymptomatic on admission had a tension pneumothorax develop later. No patient had delayed evidence of abdominal injury. An asymptomatic patient with a stab wound of the chest that is not precordial, not in proximity to the subclavian artery and not suspected of diaphragmatic penetration should be serially examined and have a follow-up roentgenogram of the chest at six hours. If the patient remains asymptomatic and the six hour film is normal, delayed complications are rarely, if ever, encountered and the patient does not require further studies or hospitalization. The six hour rule for stab wounds of the chest is valid.     

Partial left ventriculectomy as a biologic bridge to heart transplantation.

Heart failure refractory to medical treatment is consuming an increasingly large proportion of health care resources. Partial left ventriculectomy has recently been used to treat patients with end-stage dilated cardiomyopathy. A 45-year-old man in end-stage heart failure had progressive exertional dyspnea for 3 years. Cardiac catheterization showed dilated cardiomyopathy with severe pulmonary hypertension and severely impaired left ventricular function. After partial left ventriculectomy, cardiac output increased from 2.11 L/min to 5.0 L/min. The left ventricular ejection fraction measured by radionuclide angiography increased from 13% preoperatively to 28% 1 month after the operation. The patient was discharged and monitored at the outpatient clinic. He had an exercise capacity of NYHA functional class II. However, he received heart transplantation 10 months after the partial left ventriculectomy because of recurrent heart failure. Partial left ventriculectomy improves heart function and may be used as a bridge to heart transplantation as an alternative to ventricular assist devices.     

围生期心肌病和妊娠期高血压疾病性心脏病患者的鉴别诊断要点探讨

目的探讨围生期心肌病和妊娠期高血压疾病性心脏病的鉴别诊断要点。方法选择2001年1月至2010年10月间北京大学人民医院住院患者中,出院主要诊断为围生期心肌病（peripartumcardiomyopathy,PPCM;36例,PPCM组）和妊娠期高血压疾病性心脏病（26例,妊高心组）的患者,对与诊断相关的临床资料进行分析。结果 PPCM组以产后发病为主（86.11%,31/36）,妊高心组以孕期发病为主（76.92%,20/26）;超声心动图检查：PPCM组左心室舒张末期内径（left ventricular end-diastolic dimension,LVEDd）[（60.90±6.56）mm]高于妊高心组[（52.97±6.73）mm],PPCM组左心室射血分数（left ventricular ejection fraction,LVEF）[（32.44±7.95）%]则低于妊高心组（56.95±10.07）%],可合并右心改变（包括右房大、右室大、三尖瓣返流）;胸片检查：PPCM组肺淤血比例（44.44%,12/27）高于妊高心组（0,0/15）,妊高心组肺水肿比例（60.00%,9/15）高于PPCM组（14.81%,4/27）;心电图检查：除窦性心动过速、ST-T改变外,PPCM组有7例患者合并其他心律失常（包括完全性右束支传导阻滞3例,房性心动过速、室性早搏、室性心动过速/室颤及Ⅱ度房室传导阻滞各1例）,而妊高心组无1例发生;PPCM组B型脑利钠肽（B-type natriuretic peptide,BNP）水平[（1828.89±1220.06）pg/ml]高于妊高心组[（909.42±466.87）pg/ml]。结论与妊娠期高血压疾病性心脏病相比,PPCM以产后发病为主,超声心动图提示左心室扩大和功能减退更严重,胸片提示肺淤血为主,心电图除窦性心动过速、ST-T改变以外可合并其他的心律失常,BNP水平更高。     

Primary pulmonary choriocarcinoma: case report and review of the literature

Primary pulmonary choriocarcinoma is a rare disease with only 31 reported cases in the literature so far. Here, we summarize all published cases, including a recent case of our own clinic. Patients usually presented with symptoms like dyspnea, cough, chest pain, weight loss or hemoptysis. In some cases, the nodule in the lung was found in a routine check-up in asymptomatic patients. In the present case, the patient presented to our clinic because of a positive urine pregnancy test despite taking oral contraceptives. Patients in the analyzed cases were either treated with surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy or best supportive care. In the present case, a complete resection of the tumor was possible and the patient has not had any signs of recurrence so far. When looking at the published cases and corresponding outcomes, a slight tendency toward a complete resection followed by chemotherapy or close follow-up examinations seems to give the patients the best survival chances. Nevertheless, the overall prognosis of primary pulmonary choriocarinoma is poor and the 5-year survival rate is below 5%.     

Prenatal ultrasonic diagnosis of familial asymmetric septal hypertrophy

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy usually manifests clinically in the second or third decade of life. Two dimensional echocardiography is a reliable indicator of the presence of the disease. This technique is of use in the screening of fetuses at risk for familial cardiomyopathy. This report describes the prenatal echocardiographic detection of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in the fetus of a mother with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy localized to the apical region of the left ventricle.     

Unrecognized peripartum cardiomyopathy in Haitian women.

OBJECTIVE: Haitian women have a high relative incidence of clinical presentation with peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCM): an incidence estimated at one case per three hundred live births, a ten-fold occurrence compared to American women. Our objective has been to test the hypothesis that some Haitian women may have a forme fruste of PPCM while still without clinical symptoms. METHOD: A preliminary case-control study was conducted at the Hospital Albert Schweitzer (HAS), Deschapelles, Haiti, in which 25 apparently healthy postpartum women, without cardiovascular symptoms and with a normal cardiovascular clinical examination, were selected from a consecutive list of obstetrical deliveries and screened by echocardiography for left ventricular dysfunction. RESULT: Four out of 25 patients (16%) had asymptomatic left ventricular dysfunction that subsequently evolved towards either improvement or deterioration. Supporting evidence for the existence of asymptomatic left ventricular dysfunction or forme fruste PPCM is presented. A hypothetical schema of the pathophysiology of PPCM explains how a latent phase of variable duration may exist prior to onset of detectable clinical heart failure. CONCLUSION: Screening Haitian women during the last month of pregnancy or in the early postpartum period may help to detect asymptomatic left ventricular dysfunction. Early detection and treatment of PPCM in a known high risk population could lead to improvements in maternal and fetal mortality and morbidity.     

Acute aortic dissection associated with left ventricular dysfunction in a postpartum and normotensive young woman.

Aortic dissection is uncommon in young women and is associated with clinical conditions such as pregnancy and Marfan's syndrome. Owing to the low incidence, diagnosis of acute aortic dissection in young women might be missed or delayed in patients who have neither risk factors nor typical clinical manifestations. We report the case of a 28-year-old postpartum woman with aortic dissection. The patient complained of abdominal discomfort, transient back pain, and general malaise at our emergency department 1 week after delivery of a healthy baby. She had no history of hypertension, connective tissue disease or congenital heart disease. Cardiovascular insult was not considered until the patient developed shock. Myocarditis or peripartum cardiomyopathy with left ventricular dysfunction was diagnosed based on imaging studies and cardiac enzyme levels. Finally, computed tomography revealed acute aortic dissection after hemodynamic collapse occurred. This case suggests that acute aortic dissection can be associated with left ventricular dysfunction, and non-specific clinical symptoms in young, normotensive, and postpartum women. A high index of clinical suspicion and alertness are needed to identify this condition.     

Neumotórax complicado en una gestante a término: tratamiento mediante cesárea y videotoracoscopia simultáneas

Spontaneous pneumothorax rarely occurs during pregnancy. The most common cause is almost always related to the presence of apical blebs or bullae. The most frequent symptoms are chest pain and dyspnea and chest radiography usually confirms the diagnosis. The treatment of choice is insertion of a chest drain and surgery should be considered in recurrent pneumothorax or persistent air leaks. The most controversial issues in spontaneous pneumothorax during pregnancy are the timing of surgery and delivery route. We describe the case of a pregnant patient in the third trimester with spontaneous pneumothorax and persistent air leaks who was successfully treated with combined elective cesarean section and videothoracoscopy in the same intervention. We believe that combined fetal extraction and videothoracoscopy in the same intervention could be a valid alternative for the definitive treatment of complicated spontaneous pneumothorax in full term pregnancies in order to avoid risks to the mother and fetus.     

Miocardiopatía periparto como causa de insuficiencia cardíaca durante la gestación

Peripartum cardiomyopathy is a rare form of heart failure that affects women late in pregnancy or in the puerperium, with potentially fatal consequences. The clinical presentation is the same as in congestive heart failure, and sometimes the diagnosis is overlooked due to the occurrence of similar symptoms, such as dyspnea, during normal pregnancy. The treatment is similar to that for other types of left ventricular dysfunction. However, modifications to standard treatment are sometimes required for the safety of the mother and fetus. With few exceptions, vaginal delivery with a facilitated second stage with forceps is preferred in women with heart disease. Hemodynamic control of the patient during the early puerperium is highly important. Mortality estimates range from 30-40%; most deaths occur within the first three months postpartum, although 50% of patients show marked improvement in ventricular function.     

Diastolic Function in Pregnant Patients with Cardiac Symptoms

Objective. Dyspnea on exertion and peripheral edema occur routinely during normal gestational stage, making early diagnosis of congestive heart failure (CHF) during pregnancy difficult. Abnormal left ventricular (LV) diastolic function may be associated with dyspnea on exertion and peripheral edema, and brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) correlates with volume overload in nonpregnant populations. We tested the hypothesis that abnormal echocardiographic diastolic parameters and elevated BNP correlate in symptomatic pregnant patients. Methods. Sixty-six gravidas presented to an Obstetric Cardiology Clinic were analyzed. Data including symptoms of CHF, BNP, and maternal and gestational ages were recorded. Echocardiograms were reviewed to measure the diastolic parameters E, A, e′, and a′ wave velocities and left atrial volume index (LAVI). Logistic regression was performed to characterize the relationship between diastolic parameters and BNP. Results. Among the 66 pregnant patients included in the analysis, only 6 were found to have significant LV systolic dysfunction. LAVI, E, and E/e′ ratio correlated positively with BNP in this symptomatic population (p = 0.008, 0.007, and 0.002, respectively). Conclusions. Abnormal diastolic parameters that represent increased LV filling pressures correlated with higher BNP levels in pregnant patients with symptoms of CHF. This suggests that symptoms may be due to diastolic dysfunction, and BNP levels may identify elevated LV filling pressures in symptomatic pregnant patients.     

Postpartum Depression and Apical Ballooning Syndrome (Takotsubo Syndrome)

BackgroundAcute cardiac complications occur occasionally during pregnancy and in the immediate postpartum period. Some of these cardiac scenarios are rare and provide a diagnostic challenge. We report a case of apical ballooning syndrome (ABS), also known as takotsubo cardiomyopathy or broken-heart syndrome, in a postpartum patient.CaseA 32-year-old multigravid woman presented at 17 days after delivery with chest pain typical for cardiac ischemic pain. Her prior obstetrical history included two uncomplicated vaginal deliveries, and the current postpartum period had been uncomplicated until the time of presentation. Cardiac catheterization was performed and showed normal coronary blood vessels with no evidence of coronary artery occlusion. Left ventricular systolic function was moderately depressed, with an ejection fraction of 45%. The patient had full recovery of myocardial function in less than 40 days, with a subsequent echocardiogram during that time showing a normal ejection fraction of 65%.ConclusionApical ballooning syndrome is a rare reversible cardiac condition that should be differentiated from ischemic and peripartum cardiomyopathy, especially in the immediate postpartum period.     

An Unusual Case of Shock Following an Elective Caesarean Delivery

BackgroundThe differential diagnosis of peripartum chest pain and cardiogenic shock is broad and includes pulmonary embolism, amniotic fluid embolism, peripartum and Takotsubo cardiomyopathy, myocardial infarction, and anaesthetic complications.CaseA 31-year-old woman with Addison's disease underwent an elective caesarean section that was complicated by chest pain and cardiogenic shock. After initial resuscitation, she was transferred to a tertiary hospital, and urgent transthoracic echocardiography revealed severe systolic dysfunction. She was treated with an increased dose of hydrocortisone and intravenous furosemide and improved. Follow-up imaging showed improvement of left ventricular systolic function.ConclusionIn patients with cardiogenic shock after delivery, early transthoracic echocardiography is a non-invasive tool that can rapidly narrow the differential diagnosis.     

围产期心肌病诊治

围产期心肌病（PPCM）典型症状以心力衰竭、呼吸困难为主要表现,超声心动图是首选检查。溴隐亭及口服抗心力衰竭药物是治疗主要手段,对于血流动力学不稳定的心力衰竭孕妇,无论孕周大小均应终止妊娠。孕产妇病死率的预测指标为纽约心脏病协会（NYHA）Ⅲ/Ⅳ分级和左心室射血分数（LVEF）＜40%。     

Hemangiopericytoma of the pleura causing massive hemothorax.

Hemangiopericytoma is an unusual soft tissue tumor. A 54-year-old man presented with sudden onset of chest pain and dyspnea for 1 day. The initial chest x-ray showed a massive left pleural effusion. A contrast-enhanced computed tomographic scan of the chest showed a homogenously enhanced mass in the intrathoracic extrapulmonary space. A tube thoracostomy was performed and hemothorax was confirmed. A posterolateral thoracotomy was performed and a tumor in the parietal pleura of the left chest wall was resected. Grossly, the resected tumor arose from the parietal pleura, and the cut surface was elastic, soft, and pale yellow. There were several cystic formations and hemorrhages. Based on histologic findings, hemangiopericytoma with lower grade malignancy was diagnosed. The patient was alive and free from tumor recurrence 1 year after surgery. Intrathoracic extrapulmonary hemangiopericytoma is extremely rare, and surgical excision is the treatment of choice. Adjuvant chemotherapy or radiotherapy is indicated because of the high risk of recurrence and potential malignancy.     

Evaluating ventricular function with B-type natriuretic peptide in obstetric patients

OBJECTIVE: To determine if a rapid serum assay for B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) provides information regarding ventricular function in obstetric patients with acute dyspnea. STUDY DESIGN: A review of 17 charts for 15 patients was undertaken. Seven patients had preeclampsia, 3 had preterm labor treated with aggressive tocolysis, and 5 had underlying cardiac and/or pulmonary disease. Each presented with signs and symptoms consistent with acute dyspnea. Serum BNP levels were obtained and other standard diagnostic procedures performed. Each patient was treated based on the findings of the standard diagnostic procedures. RESULTS: For the 7 patients with preeclampsia, elevated serum BNP levels correlated with acute ventricular overload that responded to volume management and diuresis. Two patients had marked elevation of serum BNP levels and were found to have significant left ventricular dysfunction that was not apparent by standard clinical evaluation. For preterm labor patients on tocolysis and patients with underlying cardiac or pulmonary disease, serum BNP levels were elevated for 5 of 6 patients with evidence of acute volume overload. CONCLUSION: Serum BNP levels provided useful information for the clinical evaluation and management of obstetric patients with acute dyspnea. In 2 patients, more serious cardiac dysfunction was detected with BNP than with clinical evaluation alone.     

Pericardial hemangioma presenting as thoracic mass in utero

Pericardial hemangiomas are rare lesions. We present the case of an infant who was referred to our fetal diagnosis and treatment group for the presence of a left thoracic mass, pleural effusion, and mediastinal shift on fetal ultrasound. The characteristics of the lesion suggested the presence of a pulmonary sequestration. A chest radiograph done at birth was normal. At 2 weeks of age, an enhancing lesion of the left pericardium was identified on chest CT. A cardiac MRI demonstrated enhancement of the mass on T2-weighted images. The patient underwent thoracoscopic assessment of the mass for diagnostic purposes. Multiple lesions were identified along the left pericardium and diaphragm. A frozen section biopsy revealed a hemangioma. The natural history for hemangiomas is gradual regression; however, they may increase acutely in size and cause symptoms prior to involution. Investigations should be performed to identify the involvement of other organs. This case illustrates the need to closely follow all patients with prenatally diagnosed thoracic masses with CT imaging, even when they are asymptomatic and have a normal chest radiograph at birth.     

Peripartum cardiomyopathy: echocardiographic features in five cases

Five cases of peripartum cardiomyopathy are presented. All patients were aged less than 35 years, and four were multiparous. Two cases followed twin deliveries. Pulmonary embolism was diagnosed in four patients. Electrocardiograms showed left ventricular hypertrophy or left bundle branch block. On echocardiography, left ventricular minor axis dimensions were increased (diastolic, 67 +/- 7 mm; systolic, 59 +/- 7 mm) and mean fractional shortening was reduced (13% +/- 5%). All patients had hypokinesis or akinesis of the left ventricular segments and two had right ventricular dilatation. Gallium scanning performed in three patients was negative. Viral serologic testing was negative in all cases. All patients died within 5 years, three within 5 months. Survival duration was closely correlated with left ventricular fractional shortening. Autopsy in three patients confirmed the diagnosis of a dilated cardiomyopathy.     

Type I second-degree AV block (Mobitz type I, Wenckebach AV block) during ritodrine therapy for preterm labor

A patient, while on intravenous ritodrine therapy for preterm labor, experienced an episode of acute chest pain. The electrocardiogram (ECG), which was read as normal prior to ritodrine infusion, demonstrated a type I second-degree AV block which disappeared upon discontinuation of ritodrine therapy. This case illustrates the need for close ECG monitoring during ritodrine treatment when clinical symptoms arise.