Calcified amorphous tumor of the heart in an adult female: a case report

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Introduction</p> <p>Cardiac calcified amorphous tumor is a rare, non-neoplastic intra-cavity cardiac mass composed of calcium deposits in a background of amorphous degenerating fibrinous material. Only a few cases of this rare lesion have been reported in the available literature. Clinico-pathological differentiation of this lesion from calcified atrial myxoma, calcified thrombi or other cardiac neoplasms is extremely difficult; hence pathologic examination is the mainstay of diagnosis. To the best of our knowledge this entity has not been reported in the Indian literature.</p> <p>Case presentation</p> <p>A 40-year-old woman of Indian origin presented with progressive dyspnea, fatigue and cough. She was diagnosed as having a calcified right atrial mass. The mass was excised. Histologic examination revealed the mass to be composed of amorphous eosinophilic fibrin with dense calcification. No myxomatous tissue was seen and a final diagnosis of calcified amorphous tumor of the heart was rendered.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Calcified amorphous tumor is a rare cardiac lesion with an excellent outcome following complete surgical removal. Since clinico-radiologic differentiation from other cardiac masses is not possible in most cases, histopathological examination is the only modality for diagnosis. Hence, histopathologists should be aware of this rare entity in the differential diagnoses of cardiac mass.</p

Large Right Atrial Myxoma Masquerading as Malignancy

A 57-year-old female presented to emergency with features of right heart failure. On evaluation, she was found to have a large mass occupying right atrium (RA) completely and protruding into right ventricle through tricuspid valve. Intraoperatively, mass was seen arising from RA free wall with stony hard consistency. Histopathology revealed it to be myxoma. We present this case for the rare presentation of myxoma masquerading as malignancy

Multiple ruptured aneurysm of left sinus of valsalva: A rare entity

Aneurysm of sinus of Valsalva is a rare congenital cardiac defect that can present with myriad signs and symptoms ranging from trivial to catastrophic events like cardiogenic shock and death. As clinical examination is not entirely reliable and the patient can sometimes be so ill as to preclude cardiac catheterization, echocardiography has become the definitive investigative tool not only to define and diagnose the lesion but also to quantify its severity. The following is a case report of multiple aneurysms of the left aortic sinus of Valsalva rupturing into the left ventricle. Diagnosis is made on multi plane transesophageal echocardiography and color Doppler regarding precise identification of structural anomalies and shunt locations for perioperative assessment and definitive treatment is surgical repair

Challenges in Managing Massive Neck Pseudoaneurysm

Pseudoaneurysms in the neck are challenging surgical cases. They need detailed preoperative evaluation, treatment of etiology, and surgical/interventional management at appropriate time. Here, we describe a case of 45-year-old female who presented to emergency with impending rupture of swelling in the right side of neck. On evaluation, it was found to be a pseudoaneurysm of right common carotid artery (RCCA). She was planned for emergency surgery, but the swelling ruptured before the patient could be taken into the operation room (OR). The challenges faced in managing it are described below

Serotonin syndrome in a postoperative patient

Depression is common in patients with ischemic heart disease. According to mental health surveys, approximately one-fifth of the patients with angiographic evidence of coronary artery disease have major depression.[1] It is well-recognized that stigma associated with mental disorders leads to individuals avoiding treatment or concealing treatment for them. We report a case of serotonin syndrome that occurred during postoperative period in a patient who underwent coronary artery bypass grafting. The patient was receiving 60 mg/day fluoxetine for the last 4 years, which she and her attendants concealed during the preoperative evaluation. To our knowledge this is the first case of serotonin syndrome, reported in biomedical literature, in a postoperative patient. We suggest that history taking should also focus on antidepressant drug intake by patients. If serotonin syndrome occurs in such patients aggressive and timely management can help avert mortality

Minimally invasive cardiac surgery and transesophageal echocardiography

Improved cosmetic appearance, reduced pain and duration of post-operative stay have intensified the popularity of minimally invasive cardiac surgery (MICS); however, the increased risk of stroke remains a concern. In conventional cardiac surgery, surgeons can visualize and feel the cardiac structures directly, which is not possible with MICS. Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) is essential during MICS in detecting problems that require immediate correction. Comprehensive evaluation of the cardiac structures and function helps in the confirmation of not only the definitive diagnosis, but also the success of surgical treatment. Venous and aortic cannulations are not under the direct vision of the surgeon and appropriate positioning of the cannulae is not possible during MICS without the aid of TEE. Intra-operative TEE helps in the navigation of the guide wire and correct placement of the cannulae and allows real-time assessment of valvular pathologies, ventricular filling, ventricular function, intracardiac air, weaning from cardiopulmonary bypass and adequacy of the surgical procedure. Early detection of perioperative complications by TEE potentially enhances the post-operative outcome of patients managed with MICS

Mucormycosis: An Uncommon Cutaneous Infection at Permanent Pacemaker-Implanted Site in a Very Low-Birthweight Baby

Permanent pacemaker implantation in low birthweight (LBW) babies with congenital complete heart block is extremely challenging due to a paucity of appropriate pulse generator placement pocket sites. The development of infection following an implantation procedure can pose a life-threatening risk to the patients. With more patients in the younger group receiving these devices than ever before and the rate of infection increasing rapidly, a closer look at the burden of infection and its impact on outcome of these patients is warranted. We report mucormycosis infection at the abdominal pacemaker pocket site of an infant requiring pacemaker explantation and re-insertion into the intrapleural space

Parasternal Block with Two Different Concentration of Ropivacaine for Post-Operative Analgesia in Patient Undergoing Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting: A Randomized Double Blind Controlled Trial

Background: Postoperative sternal pain is one of the most important factors affecting patients’ quality of life during the early post-operative days. Optimal pain management after cardiac surgery improve comfort and wellbeing of the patients. Conventionally used techniques of postoperative analgesia mostly provided by intravenous route, have their own side effects, causing a delay in tracheal extubation. Parasternal intercostals block is one such technique which has several potential advantages and devoid of the above side effects.Objective: To study the effect and effi cacy of parasternal intercostals block analgesia with two different doses of ropivacaine for post-operative analgesia in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG).Design: Randomized, prospective, double blind study Setting: Tertiary health care teaching hospitalParticipants: One hundred and twenty adult cardiac surgical patients scheduled for elective coronary artery bypass grafting.Intervention: 0.75% ( group R1) and 0.5% (group R2) ropivacaine injection with 5 doses of 4 ml each on each side of Parasternal intercostals space with a total dose of ropivacaine 200 mg and 300 mg respectively or same volume of saline (group S) prior to surgical incision.Measurements and results: The average time of extubation was signifi cantly lower in R1 and R2 group compared to S group, being 5.15±1.13,5.24±0.88 and 7.29±1.41 hours respectively (p &lt;0.0010).The length of ICU stay was 1.67±0.57 days in group R1,2.0±0.61 days in group R2 and 2.11±0.64 days in group S ( p=0.007) . A similar fi nding was also present when the duration of hospital stay was concerned. The cumulative 24 hr fentanyl dose was signifi cantly higher in group S compared to that of R1 and R2. (186.73±28.3, 217±36.8 and 344±68.2 μ gm respectively, p, 0.01).VAS score was highest in S group of patients with a mean of 5.08±0.82 for all the time periods, whereas that for group R1 and R2 was 3.64±0.84 and 3.77±0.71 respectively except that at post extubation. Statistical signifi cance was observed for VAS score during inter group comparison (R1 vs S, p&lt;0.001, R2 vs. S,p&lt;0.001). The mean heart rate and mean arterial pressure remained in higher side in group S patients when compared to the other two groups (p &lt; 0.01 in each case). One patient in group R1, three in group R2 and seven in group S had arrhythmia during their ICU stay. Two patients from each R2 and S group had evidence of pneumonia and none of the patients in any group had evidence of sternal wound infection during the&nbsp; course of stay and one month follow up period.Conclusion: Parasternal intercostals block for postoperative pain relief for adult cardiac surgical patients is a simple technique, which is easy to perform and appears to be a useful adjunct to post-operative pain relief during the postoperative period. 0.75 % ropivacaine is more effi cacious than that of 0.5% when used in the same route without any additional side effects. Unlike neuroaxial blocks, it can be used in patients who are anti-coagulated perioperatively and have deranged coagulation parameters.</p

The story of heart transplantation: From cape town to cape comorin

Norman Shumway is widely regarded as the father of heart transplantation although the world's first adult human heart transplant was performed by Christiaan Barnard, on December 3, 1967, at the Groote Schuur Hospital in Cape Town, South Africa. Adrian Kantrowitz performed the world's first pediatric heart transplant on December 6, 1967 and Norman Shumway performed the first adult heart transplant in the United States on January 6, 1968, at the Stanford University Hospital. In India, PK Sen attempted the first heart transplant in humans soon after Christaan Barnaard but the first and subsequent patients died. The first successful heart transplant in India was by Dr. P Venugopal in 1994 at AIIMS, New Delhi. This was followed soon after by Dr. KM Cherian who also did the first pediatric and first heart lung transplant in India