Therapeutic implications of transesophageal echocardiography after transthoracic echocardiography on acute stroke patients

Tiago Tribolet de Abreu, Sonia Mateus, Cecilia Carreteiro, Jose CorreiaLaboratorio de Ultrasonografia Cardiaca e Neurovascular, Hospital do Espirito Santo-Evora, E. P. E., PortugalBackground: The role of transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) in the evaluation of acute stroke patients is still ill-defined. We conducted a prospective observational study to find the prevalence of TEE findings that indicate anticoagulation as beneficial, in acute ischemic stroke patients without indication for anticoagulation based on clinical, electrocardiographic and transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) findings.Methods: We prospectively studied all patients referred to our laboratory for TTE and TEE. Patients were excluded if the diagnosis was not acute ischemic stroke or if they had an indication for anticoagulation based on clinical, electrocardiographic, or TTE data. Patients with TEE findings that might indicate anticoagulation as beneficial were identified.Results: A total of 84 patients with acute ischemic stroke and without indication for anticoagulation based on clinical and electrocardiographic or TTE data were included in the study. Findings indicating anticoagulation as beneficial were found in 32.1%: spontaneous echo contrast (1.2%), complex aortic atheroma (27.4%), thrombus (8.3%), and simultaneous patent foramen ovale and atrial septal aneurysm (2.4%).Conclusions: The results of our study show that TEE can have therapy implications in 32.1% of ischemic stroke patients in sinus rhythm and with TTE with no indication for anticoagulation.Keywords: acute ischemic stroke, transesophageal echocardiography, transthoracic echocardiography, therap

Iatrogenic Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy Secondary to Norepinephrine by Continuous Infusion for Shock

Takotsubo cardiomyopathy is a condition characterized by transient left ventricular systolic and diastolic dysfunction, with a possible direct causal role of catecholamine in its pathophysiology. We present a case of a woman with shock and adrenal insufficiency in whom Takotsubo cardiomyopathy developed after treatment with norepinephrine. This case confirms the direct causal role of catecholamine in the pathophysiology of Takotsubo cardiomyopathy. An 82-year-old woman presented with asthenia, anorexia, nausea and abdominal pain. The patient had been on chronic corticosteroid therapy until 3 months before, when she underwent abdominal surgery and corticosteroids were stopped. She now presented with acute kidney injury, hyponatremia and hyperkalemia and shock. A norepinephrine continuous infusion was administered to maintain a mean arterial pressure over 65 mmHg. An echocardiogram showed severe hypokinesis in the apical segments and hyperdynamic basal segments, with an ejection fraction of 25%. Plasma cortisol level was 4.5 µg/dL (reference range 5-25). Corticosteroid therapy was begun and norepinephrine was tapered and stopped. A new echocardiogram showed normalization of cardiac wall motion and an ejection fraction of 70%. This case highlights the importance of the correction of the cause of shock, as well as the risks associated with the use of norepinephrine if hypotension is severe or if it persists despite fluid administration, as usually recommended. It also confirms the direct causal role of catecholamine in the pathophysiology of Takotsubo cardiomyopathy. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of stress-induced cardiomyopathy secondary to norepinephrine by continuous infusion for shock

Sindroma de Churg-Strauss: um diagnóstico de asma e eosinofília

RESUMO: Introdução: O S. de Churg-Strauss (SCS) é uma entidade clínica em que um quadro de asma e eosinofilia coexiste com um atingimento multissistémico.Caso-clínico: Um homem de 63 anos, com diagnóstico de asma e rinite alérgica desde os 55 anos, inicia um quadro de febre, artrite, polineuropatia e hematúria. Verificou-se a existência de eosinofilia marcada e sinusopatia maxilar e etmoidal bilateral. Iniciou corticoterapia, com regressão completa do quadro clínico e laboratorial. Está actualmente assintomático, com Prednisolona 5 mg/dia.Discussão: Revendo os diagnósticos diferenciais de doença pulmonar com eosinofilia,verificámos que a presença de atingimento extrapulmonar permite considerarmos o SCS e o S. hipereosinofílico idiopático como únicas hipóteses. A existência de asma selecciona o SCS como o diagnóstico correcto.Conclusões: a) perante um doente com asma e eosinofilia (superior a 10%), o S. de Churg-Strauss é um diagnóstico a ter sempre presente; b) o diagnóstico é principalmente clínico, de acordo com os critérios de classificação; c) a corticoterapia é muito eficaz e o seu desmame lento permite doses de manutenção baixas.REV PORT PNEUMOL 2001; VII (6): ABSTRACT: Background: The Churg-Strauss syndrome (CSS) is a disease in which asthma and eosinophilia occur with multisystemic manifestations.Case-report: A 63 year old male, with a diagnosis of asthma and allergic rhinitis for 8 years, has fever, arthritis, peripheral neuropathy and hematuria. Marked eosinophilia and sinusitis were found. Corticosteroids were given, with complete clinical and laboratorial remission. The patient is asymptomatic with a daily dose of 5 mg of Prednisolone.Discussion: Reviewing the differential diagnosis of pulmonary disease and eosinophilia, the extrapulmonary involvement only exists in the CSS and the hypereosinophilic syndrome. Asthma is present only in the former, and so the Churg-Strauss syndrome was the correct diagnosis.Conclusions: a) facing a patient with asthma and eosinophilia, the CSS is a diagnosis to have in mind; b) it is a clinical diagnosis, according to classification criteria; c) corticosteroids are very effective and a slow tapering allows low maintenance doses.REV PORT PNEUMOL 2001; VII (6): Palavras-chave: asma, eosinofilia, diagnóstico diferencial, síndrome de Churg-Strauss, caso-clínico, Key-words: asthma, eosinophilia, differencial diagnosis, Churg-Strauss syndrome, case-repor

Venous thromboembolism risk and prophylaxis in hospitalised medically ill patients The ENDORSE Global Survey

Limited data are available regarding the risk for venous thromboembolism (VIE) and VIE prophylaxis use in hospitalised medically ill patients. We analysed data from the global ENDORSE survey to evaluate VTE risk and prophylaxis use in this population according to diagnosis, baseline characteristics, and country. Data on patient characteristics, VIE risk, and prophylaxis use were abstracted from hospital charts. VTE risk and prophylaxis use were evaluated according to the 2004 American College of Chest Physicians (ACCP) guidelines. Multivariable analysis was performed to identify factors associated with use of ACCP-recommended prophylaxis. Data were evaluated for 37,356 hospitalised medical patients across 32 countries. VIE risk varied according to medical diagnosis, from 31.2% of patients with gastrointestinal/hepatobiliary diseases to 100% of patients with acute heart failure, active noninfectious respiratory disease, or pulmonary infection (global rate, 41.5%). Among those at risk for VTE, ACCP-recommended prophylaxis was used in 24.4% haemorrhagic stroke patients and 40-45% of cardiopulmonary disease patients (global rate, 39.5%). Large differences in prophylaxis use were observed among countries. Markers of disease severity, including central venous catheters, mechanical ventilation, and admission to intensive care units, were strongly associated with use of ACCP-recommended prophylaxis. In conclusion, VIE risk varies according to medical diagnosis. Less than 40% of at-risk hospitalised medical patients receive ACCP-recommended prophylaxis. Prophylaxis use appears to be associated with disease severity rather than medical diagnosis. These data support the necessity to improve implementation of available guidelines for evaluating VIE risk and providing prophylaxis to hospitalised medical patients

Venous Thromboembolism Risk and Prophylaxis in the Acute Care Hospital Setting (ENDORSE Survey) Findings in Surgical Patients

Objective: To evaluate venous thromboembolism (VTE) risk in patients who underwent a major operation, including the use of, and factors influencing, American College of Chest Physicians-recommended types of VTE prophylaxis