Recurrent ventricular arrhythmias and myocardial infarctions associated with cocaine induced reversible coronary vasospasm

Cocaine has become the most frequently used illicit drug among patients presenting to emergency departments worldwide. Although acute myocardial infarction is the most common reported cardiovascular manifestation in this setting, there are many other potential cardiotoxic effects of cocaine use including coronary artery spasm, arrhythmia, and sudden death. We report the case of a 54 year-old male with angiographically documented reversible coronary arterial spasm leading to severe life-threatening recurrent ventricular arrhythmias and electrocardiographic changes suggesting acute myocardial infarction secondary to cocaine use. Recurrent ventricular arrhythmias of this patient required implantation of a cardioverter-defibrillator which successfully treated following arrhythmia episodes. (Cardiol J 2010; 17, 5: 512-517

Acquired QT interval prolongation and ventricular arythmias associated with brucellosis: A case report and review of literature

SummaryBrucellosis is a zoonosis caused by Brucella species and usually involves the lymphoreticular system. Cardiovascular involvement is rare but fatal. Endocarditis is the most common cardiovascular manifestation of brucellosis. Herein we report a case of brucellosis with a presentation of acquired QT prolongation and ventricular tachycardia without a clear clinical picture of endocarditis and myocarditis

Malignant Melanoma of Unknown Primary Origin Presenting as Cardiac Metastasis

Malignant melanoma has a very high propensity to metastasize to the heart. However, melanoma may sometimes present as a metastatic lesion in the absence of a primary lesion, which are called melanomas of unknown primary origin. We report a case in which a patient presented with a metastatic maligant melanoma in the right atrium with pericardial effusion and without a primary origin

Effects of gestational hypertension on left ventricular geometry

Background: During pregnancy heart rate, stroke volume, cardiac output and left ventricular (LV) mass increase while peripheral vascular resistance decreases. Gestational hypertension (GHT) which is noted in some pregnancies during the third trimester, is considered a temporary condition. Its effects on LV geometry are not known.Aim: To assess the effects of acute pressure overload in GHT on the LV geometry.Methods: Forty three pregnant women (mean age 28.7±8.9 years) with GHT were included in the study (Group A). Blood pressure levels >140/90 mmHg were considered diagnostic for GHT. Fifty six pregnant women (mean age 25.7±5.7 years) with normal blood pressure formed the control group (Group B). Transthoracic echocardiography was performed in all subjects before delivery. LV end-systolic (ESD) and end-diastolic (EDD) diameters, LV septal and posterior wall thickness were measured, and LV mass index (MI) as well as relative wall thickness (RWT) were calculated using Devereux and Ganau formulas. LV geometry was defined as normal (N), concentric hypertrophic (CH), eccentric hypertrophic (EH) or concentric remodelling (CR).Results: LVMI and RWT were 138±13.8 g/m2 and 0.46±0.09 in Group A, and 117±15 g/m2 and 0.4±0.03 in Group B (p=0.01 and p=0.03). LV geometry patterns were: 38.9% - N, 19.4% - EH, 14% - CH and 27.7% - CR in group A and 78.6% - N, 7% - EH, 5.4% - CH and 9% - CR in normotensive pregnancies (