116 research outputs found
Acute myocarditis mimicking acute myocardial infarction associated with pandemic 2009 (H1N1) influenza A virus
The prevalence of myocardial involvement in influenza infection ranges from 0% to 11%
depending on the diagnostic criteria used to define myocarditis. Whether such an association
holds for the novel influenza A strain, pandemic-2009-H1N1, remains unknown. The clinical
presentation of myocarditis varies and often mimics myocardial infarction. Although history,
physical examination, laboratory data points, and electrocardiogram are helpful in distinguishing
myocarditis from myocardial infarction, differential diagnosis can sometimes be
difficult. Here, we present the first known report of acute myocarditis mimicking acute myocardial
infarction associated with the pandemic influenza A virus (H1N1) infection. (Cardiol J
2011; 18, 5: 552–555
Silent interrupted aortic arch in an elderly patient
Patients with complete interruption of the aortic arch (IAA) very rarely reach late adulthood
without having undergone surgical intervention. Only a few cases of IAA in adults have been
reported in the medical literature. In this case report, we present a late diagnosis of interrupted
aortic arch in a 68 year-old male. Our patient was relatively asymptomatic until he presented
with fatigue after walking quickly. A guidewire could not be passed to the aortic arch via the
femoral approach; descending thoracic aortography revealed complete occlusion of the descending
thoracic aorta. Cardiac catheterization via the right brachial artery confirmed the diagnosis
of a complete interruption of the aortic arch distal to the left subclavian artery and showed
distinct collateral circulation predominantly via the internal mammary arteries. Also, magnetic
resonance angiography showed cuttings that reveal the interruption in the aortic arch
and the prominent collateral vessels to the descending aorta. This case report was also interesting
in that pressure measurements at a proximal point of the interrupted aortic arch were not
hypertensive. Using both catheters, placed proximally and distally to the point of the interruption,
by simultaneous pressure measurement, it was measured as 120/75 mm Hg at the
proximal point, 60/40 mm Hg at the distal point. (Cardiol J 2011; 18, 6: 695–697
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