Electrocardiographic manifestations: acute myopericarditis.

Acute, or so-called "dry," myopericarditis occurs in the presence of diffuse inflammation of the pericardial sac and superficial epicardium from a multitude of infectious and inflammatory processes. This inflammation results in a current of myocardial injury resulting from the epicardial irritation manifested by a number of electrocardiographic findings. Classically, the electrocardiographic changes have been described as an evolution through several distinct stages involving ST segment elevation with PR segment depression, normalization of the ST segment abnormality with T wave inversion, and eventual normalization of the electrocardiogram over a period of days to several weeks. The following discussion focuses on the electrocardiographic manifestations of acute myopericarditis and includes findings useful in establishing the diagnosis as well as distinguishing the disease from other syndromes, particularly acute myocardial infarction.     

Evaluation of Spodick's Sign and Other Electrocardiographic Findings as Indicators of STEMI and Pericarditis

BackgroundPatients with ST elevation on electrocardiogram (ECG) could have ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) or pericarditis. Spodick's sign, a downsloping of the ECG baseline (the T-P segment), has been described, but not validated, as a sign of pericarditis.ObjectiveThis study estimates the frequency of Spodick's sign and other findings in patients diagnosed with STEMI and those with pericarditis.MethodsIn this retrospective review, we selected charts that met prospective definitions of STEMI (cases) and pericarditis (controls). We excluded patients whose ECGs lacked ST elevation. An authority on electrocardiography reviewed all ECGs, noting the presence or absence of Spodick's sign, ST depression (in leads besides V₁ and aVR), PR depression, greater ST elevation in lead III than in lead II (III > II), abrupt take-off of ST segment (the RT checkmark sign), and upward or horizontal ST convexity. We quantified strength of association using odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence interval (CI).ResultsOne hundred and sixty-five patients met criteria for STEMI and 42 met those for pericarditis. Spodick's sign occurred in 5% of patients with STEMI (95% CI 3–10%) and 29% of patients with pericarditis (95% CI 16–45%). All other findings statistically distinguished STEMI from pericarditis, but ST depression (OR 31), III > II (OR 21), and absence of PR depression (OR 12) had the greatest OR values.ConclusionsSpodick's sign is statistically associated with pericarditis, but it is seen in 5% of patients with STEMI. Among other findings, ST depression, III > II, and absence of PR depression were the most discriminating.     

B超引导心包穿刺置管药物灌注治疗恶性心包积液37例

目的 探讨安全的心包穿刺置管引流方法，及观察药物局部灌注治疗恶性心包积液。方法 采用B超定向、定位及实时指导下行心包穿刺置入引流管，引流心包腔内积液，并经导管注入化疗及免疫药物治疗。结果 37例恶性心包积液行41例次的治疗，其有效率(CR PR)100％，其中完全缓解率92％。无心肌损伤，心跳骤停，血流动力学明显改变等严重并发症。腔内治疗毒副作用轻微。可长时间保留心包内引流。结论 本方法可安全、高效的治疗恶性心包积液。     

2015 update on the diagnosis and management of neoplastic pericardial disease

The best approach in diagnosis and treatment of neoplastic pericardial disease has not been defined yet. The authors report the most recent literature about the new diagnostic techniques that are useful to improve the diagnosis. The literature about the therapeutic options is critically reviewed, in order to give suggestions of use to the clinical practice. Pericardial effusion may require urgent drainage; the solid component, however, becomes predominant in some cases. Neoplastic pericardial disease should be assessed following oncologic criteria evaluation of the neoplastic burden; outcome classified as complete or partial response, stable or progressive disease and – in cases with progression – event-free survival. Systemic chemotherapy may be effective in lymphomas and possibly in breast carcinomas. Intrapericardial chemotherapy with systemic chemotherapy is the treatment of choice in lung cancer. Pericardial window with systemic chemotherapy is also effective in preventing the accumulation of large amount of fluid.     

Right ventricular infarction: specific requirements of management.

The principal cause of right ventricular infarction is atherosclerotic proximal occlusion of the right coronary artery. Proximal occlusion of this artery leads to electrocardiographically identifiable right-heart ischemia and an increased risk of death in the presence of acute inferior infarction. Clinical recognition begins with the ventricular electrocardiographic manifestations: inferior left ventricular ischemia (ST segment elevation in leads II, III and aVF), with or without accompanying abnormal Q waves and right ventricular ischemia (ST segment elevation in right chest leads V3R through V6R and ST segment depression in anterior leads V2 through V4). Associated findings may include atrial infarction (PR segment displacement, elevation or depression in leads II, III and aVF), symptomatic sinus bradycardia, atrioventricular node block and atrial fibrillation. Hemodynamic effects of right ventricular dysfunction may include failure of the right ventricle to pump sufficient blood through the pulmonary circuit to the left ventricle, with consequent systemic hypotension. Management is directed toward recognition of right ventricular infarction, reperfusion, volume loading, rate and rhythm control, and inotropic support.     

Emerging role of multimodality imaging in management of inflammatory pericardial diseases

The non-specific and highly variable symptomatology of inflammatory pericardial diseases create clinical challenges in making accurate diagnosis, which often requires the integration of clinical findings, imaging and invasive hemodynamic assessment. Echocardiography is considered to be a first-line imaging test in pericardial diseases. Emerging imaging modalities, especially cardiac MRI allowed better understanding of pericardial anatomy, physiology and, for the first time, enable demonstration of the pericardial inflammation. On the other hand, cardiac computed tomography is excellent tool to define pericardial thickness, pericardial calcification and is useful for preoperative planning once pericardiectomy is indicated especially in the patients with prior cardiac surgery.     

The accuracy of ST segment deviation in prehospital cardiac monitoring

Elevation or depression of the ST segment of the 12-lead electrocardiogram is an important and established marker of myocardial ischemia or injury. The ST segment deviation in normal individuals using standard cardiac monitoring equipment in the clinical setting of prehospital transport has not been studied. The hypothesis that we tested is that ST segment changes do not occur in normal subjects on standard prehospital cardiac monitors during transport. During a simulated transport, we monitored healthy volunteers of both sexes between the ages of 20 and 30 who had a normal cardiovascular history, physical examination, and 12-lead electrocardiogram. Fourteen of 34 subjects (41%) who qualified as normal exhibited ST segment deviation on the monitor. Of these 14, 11 exhibited ST segment depression, and 3 exhibited ST segment elevation. We conclude that normal individuals can exhibit ST segment deviation on standard prehospital cardiac monitoring equipment during routine transport.     

平板运动试验在诊断女性冠状动脉疾病中的临床意义

目的：评价平板运动试验(treadmill exercise testing，TET)在诊断女性冠状动脉疾病(coronary artery disease，CAD)中的应用价值。方法：回顾性分析1995年3月-2002年11月在本院作冠状动脉造影(coronary arteriography,CAG)并同时行TET检查的104例女性患的临床资料。TET检查采用日本国立心血管疾病中心(NCVC)制定的方案，评价指标包括ST段压低程度、运动后3min收缩期血压(SBP)与运动高峰时SBP比值[SBP比(3’)]和是否发生心绞痛(angina pectoris，AP)。结果：单用ST段压低作为诊断指标，其灵敏度为98．2％，特异度为4．2％；ST段压低结合SBP比(3’)时，其灵敏度为83．9％，特异度为89．6％；ST段压低结合AP作为诊断指标，其灵敏度为89．3％．特异度为95．8％。结论：ST段压低与SBP比(3')及AP的综合评估可提高TET对女性CAD的临床诊断的准确性。     

The importance of an early stress test in patients with myocardial infarct and heart failure in the acute period of the disease]

The mechanisms of acute myocardial infarction depend on the site of myocardial infarction (MI). In anterior MI, the main factor is a large area of injury; in inferior MI, of importance is dysfunction of the papillary muscles and multiple lesions of the coronary artery in addition to the above factor. The site, the area of injury and the status of the coronary bed influence the rate, character and prognostic value of early load test criteria and contractile function of the left ventricle. In anterior MI, elevation of the ST segment is the most frequent criterion; in inferior MI, its depression. Their combination with other criteria for test discontinuation point to multiple lesions of the coronary artery. In patients with anterior MI, the ejection fraction of the left ventricle amounting to 40%, inadequate growth of AP, anginous pain and the T dominant elevation of the ST segment are unfavourable predictors, allowing the patients to be differentiated in accordance with the risk of postinfarction complications.     

Pilsicainide-Induced ST Segment Elevation and ST Segment Depression in Two Patients with Variant Forms of Brugada-Type Electrocardiographic Abnormalities

In two patients with variant forms of Brugada electrocardiographic abnormalities, ST segment elevation, and reciprocal ST segment depression developed during intravenous administration of pilsicainide. In one patient, pilsicainide accentuated the ST segment elevation in leads I, aV_L, and V₁–V₃ and caused ST segment depression in leads II, III, and aV_F. Coronary angiograms at the time of ST segment elevation were normal. In the other patient, pilsicainide accentuated the coved-type ST segment elevation in leads II, III, and aV_F and caused ST segment depression in leads I, aV_L, and V₂–V₅. Frequent premature ventricular complexes (PVCs) with two different left bundle branch block patterns developed during ST segment elevation. Intravenous isoproterenol returned the ST segment to baseline in both patients and suppressed the PVCs in the second patient. We hypothesize that a wide area of epicardial myocardium with large I_to current might explain the reciprocal ST segment depression observed at the time of accentuated ST segment elevation.     

Cardiac tamponade in Russell viper (Daboia russelii) bite: case report with brief review

Background

Coagulopathy after snake bite is well known; however, cardiac tamponade as a manifestation of coagulopathy is rare.

Objective

To report a case of pericardial hemorrhage with cardiac tamponade after Russell viper bite.

Case Report

A 26-year-old man developed breathlessness after being bitten by a Russell viper. The clinical and laboratory follow-up of this case confirmed the clinical diagnosis of toxin-induced disseminated intravascular coagulation. Interestingly, pericardial hemorrhage with large pericardial effusion was evident clinically as well as on electrocardiogram and echocardiogram, as an initial presentation without any other bleeding manifestations. The patient developed cardiac arrest and was revived with cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Emergency pericardiocentesis was carried out. He was given fresh frozen plasma in addition to snake antivenin along with symptomatic management. On the third day of hospitalization, the patient’s clinical and laboratory profile returned to normal and he was discharged on the fifth day.

Conclusion

Pericardial hemorrhage may be due to toxin-induced myocardial damage or pericardial vessel injury coupled with coagulopathy, possibly in conjunction with vasculitis or endothelial damage. Practitioners and physicians should suspect and search for pericardial effusion in snake bite victims who develop breathlessness, and treat it vigorously in addition to antivenin therapy.     

80例心包积液患者临床病因及误诊分析

目的:分析心包积液患者的病因及误诊原因。方法:收集彭州市人民医院和成都市第五人民医院1997~2006年心包积液患者80例,对其临床资料进行回顾分析。结果:心包积液的常见原因依次为肿瘤性(25·0%)、结核性(18·8%)、非特异性(13·7%)、心力衰竭性(12·5%)、尿毒症性(10·0%),其他原因(20·0%)。其中有6例误诊。结论:结核性心包积液比例明显下降,而肿瘤性心包积液所占比例明显上升,已成为心包积液的首要原因。误诊的主要原因是将肿瘤性心包积液诊断为其他性质的心包积液。     

香菇多糖治疗老年恶性心包积液

目的观察老年恶性心包积液患者心包腔内分别灌注香菇多糖与顺铂治疗的有效性和安全性。方法45例患者随机分为A组22例,B组23例,采用中心静脉穿刺导管行心包穿刺置管引流术,A组给予灌注香菇多糖4mg＋生理盐水20ml,B组给予顺铂40mg＋生理盐水20ml。结果A组患者有效率（完全缓解率＋部分缓解率）90．9％（20／22）例,B组患者有效率60．9％（14／23）例,A组患者有效率优于B组（P〈0．05）,且A组不良反应轻微。结论对于老年恶性心包积液的患者心包腔内灌注香菇多糖有效而且安全。     

Spectrum of pericardial disease: part II

Pericardial disease is a common disorder seen in varying clinical settings, and may be the first manifestation of an underlying systemic disease. In part I, we focused on the current knowledge and management of the more common pericardial diseases: acute pericarditis, pericardial effusion, cardiac tamponade, chronic pericarditis and relapsing pericarditis. In part II, we will focus on the knowledge and management of pericardial involvement in chylous pericardial effusion cholesterol pericarditis, radiation pericarditis, pericardial involvement in systemic inflammatory diseases, autoreactive pericarditis, pericarditis in renal failure, pericardial constriction and effusive constrictive pericarditis.     

370例心包积液住院患者病因分析

目的：了解不同性别、年龄阶段的心包积液患者的病因特点.方法：将370例确诊为心包积液的患者分别按性别和年龄分为少儿组（0-18岁）、青年组（19-39岁）、中年组（40-59岁）、老年组（60-79岁）和高龄老年组（≥80岁）5个年龄段,建立心包积液住院患者临床资料数据库,对比分析各组的病因构成.结果：总体上,前6位病因分别为肿瘤（34.9％）、心力衰竭（18.1％）、系统性红斑狼疮（SLE）（10.0％）、结核（9.5％）、尿毒症（7.3％）和甲状腺功能减退症（6.5％）.不同性别、年龄阶段患者心包积液的病因构成明显不同,男性的肿瘤和结核患者多于女性,而女性的SLE和甲状腺功能减退症患者多于男性患者.心包积液病因中,除青年组以SLE占首位外,其余各组肿瘤均居于首位,在中老组中最多.心力衰竭在老年组（≥60岁）（41/139,29.5％）多于非老年组（＜60岁）（26/231,11.3％） （P＜0.001）.肺癌是肿瘤性心包积液中最常见的病因（43.4％,56/126）,老年组肺癌占比（55.6％,25/45）最高.结论：不同性别、年龄阶段患者心包积液的病因构成不同,随着年龄增长,心包积液患者的病因中肿瘤、心力衰竭所占比例呈上升趋势.     

脾切除加贲门周围血管离断术治疗门静脉高压症61例报告

目的：探讨脾切除加贲门周围血管离断术治疗门静脉高压症的效果。方法：回顾61例采用脾切除加贲门周围血管离断术治疗门静脉高压症的临床资料，对手术前后的肝功能、脾亢症状、食管胃底曲张静脉及术后并发症等进行分析。结果：全组无手术死亡，无脑病发生。术后半个月肝功能好转53例。无变化8例．全组病例脾亢症状消失。术后2个月胃镜复查，食管胃底静脉曲张消失或明显好转47例。好转14例。术后随访48例12～24个月，再出血率8．3％(4／48)。结论：脾切除加贲门周围血管离断术治疗门静脉高压症不仅急症手术止血率高，脑病发生率低。而且操作简便。手术条件较宽，易在基层医院开展。有良好的临床实用价值。     

Diltiazem in the prevention and treatment of cocaine-induced cardiotoxicity in dogs

Cocaine can induce serious cardiovascular sequelae, including myocardial depression and coronary artery constriction. The objective of this study was to determine, in the experimental canine model, whether the calcium channel blocker diltiazem, administered intravenously, can ameliorate cocaine-induced cardiotoxicity. The study was conducted in two parts. In the first part of the study, the protective effect of diltiazem against cocaine-induced cardiotoxicity was evaluated. Dogs given pentobarbital were pretreated with either diltiazem 0.25 mg/kg or saline, and then given a 10-mg/kg intravenous bolus of cocaine. In the second part of the study, the role of diltiazem in the treatment of cocaine-induced left ventricular myocardial dysfunction was evaluated. All dogs received a 10-mg/kg intravenous bolus of cocaine. The dogs then received either diltiazem 0.25 mg/kg intravenously or saline. Administration or diltiazem before cocaine reduced the cardiotoxic effects of cocaine. Compared with the control group, there was less depression of the first derivative of left ventricular pressure (LV dP/dt), cardiac output, and left ventricular end diastolic pressure. ST segment elevation occurred in the majority of the control animals after cocaine injection but in none of the animals pretreated with diltiazem. In the second part of the study, cocaine produced left ventricular dysfunction in all animals and ST segment elevation on the electrocardiogram in a majority of the animals. Treatment with diltiazem after the onset of cocaine-induced myocardial dysfunction did reverse the ST segment elevation. It did not, however, improve the hemodynamics significantly compared with the control group. Partial recovery of left ventricular function occurred at 15 minutes in both groups. It was concluded that, in the canine model, administration of diltiazem before injection of cocaine prevents myocardial depression and ST segment elevation. Diltiazem is also effective as treatment to reverse cocaine-induced ST segment elevation but not cocaine-induced myocardial depression.     

牦牛心包瓣膜置换二尖瓣后近期的临床观察

本文报告牦牛心包瓣膜置换二尖瓣后近期的临床观察。作者认为:牦牛心包瓣膜置换二尖瓣后,患者近期心功能明显改善,但仍需注意随访和治疗。     

Ethnic differences in the st segment of the electrocardiogram: A comparative study among six ethnic groups

Deviation of the ST segment of the electrocardiogram (ECG) may signify infarction or ischemia. Prior studies suggest that normal ECG patterns may differ among ethnic groups. We retrospectively reviewed the first thousand medical files of a multiethnic community, where all individuals shared similar living conditions. Only healthy adults, aged 15 to 60 years, were included. Along with age, the most common causes for exclusion were diabetes, hypertension, and ischemic heart disease. A total of 597 subjects (349 men) were included: 350 Saudi Arabians, 39 Filipinos, 95 Indians, 17 Sri-Lankans, and 57 Caucasians. Twenty men and one woman had an ECG pattern of early repolarization (ST segment elevation with upward concavity, notching on QRS, and large symmetrical T wave), with no difference in incidence among ethnic groups. ST segment elevation (2 mm in any of the leads V1-V4, or 1 mm in any of the other leads) without criteria of early repolarization occurred in 11.58%, 13.46%, 3.57%, 4.35%, 11.76%, 7.32% of Saudi, Indian, Jordanian, Filipino, Sri-Lankan, and Caucasian men, respectively (P =.61). Only one Jordanian and 2 Indian women had this pattern. However, Filipino men had higher median ST segment levels than others in leads V1 and V3. Among women, the median ST segment level was iso-electric in all leads in all ethnic groups. Only 3 subjects had ST segment depression >1 mm. Significant ST segment elevation is common in normal healthy men but may not fulfill criteria for early repolarization; it has no ethnic predilection. ST segment elevation is uncommon in normal women. ST segment depression is a rare finding in healthy adults regardless of ethnic origin.     

COVID-19 myopericarditis: It should be kept in mind in today's conditions

A 78-year-old patient with acute respiratory distress was transferred to our hospital with ST segment elevation on electrocardiography. Coronary angiography revealed normal coronary arteries. Thorax computerized tomography showed ground glass opacification with consolidation in the lungs and mild pericardial effusion demonstrating myopericarditis associated with COVID-19.