Myocardial bridging with left ventricular hypertrophy presenting as Wellens pattern

A complex unit for a complex disease: the HCM-Family Unit

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is a group of heterogeneous disorders that are most commonly passed on in a heritable manner. It is a relatively rare disease around the globe, but due to increased rates of consanguinity within the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, we speculate a high incidence of undiagnosed cases. The aim of this paper is to elucidate a systematic approach in dealing with HCM patients and since HCM has variable presentation, we have summarized differentials for diagnosis and how different subtypes and genes can have an impact on the clinical picture, management and prognosis. Moreover, we propose a referral multi-disciplinary team HCM-Family Unit in Saudi Arabia and an integrated role in a network between King Faisal Hospital and Inherited and Rare Cardiovascular Disease Unit-Monaldi Hospital, Italy (among the 24 excellence centers of the European Reference Network (ERN) GUARD-Heart).   Graphical Abstract.

The prevalence of myocardial bridging on multidetector computed tomography and its relation to coronary plaques

PURPOSE

To test the hypothesis that the prevalence of myocardial bridging varies between ethnic groups, and that the segment proximal to the myocardial bridge is more prone to plaque formation.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A total of 4500 patients who had undergone computerised tomography (CT) coronary angiography at our institute were studied for myocardial bridging. Data on the clinical profile and indication for CT coronary angiography in myocardial bridging were collected. Patients with and without proximal disease were compared using the chi-square test for ordinal variables and Student's t-test for continuous variables. The length to depth ratio (RA-MA ratio) of the bridged segment was determined.

RESULTS

The prevalence of atherosclerotic plaques in the segment proximal to the bridged segment was 37.8%, which was lower than the prevalence of 48.7% for plaques in the corresponding segments among patients without myocardial bridging. The average length of the bridged segment was 15.5 ± 5 mm, and that for patients with and without proximal plaques was 13 ± 4 and 16 ± 6 mm (p = 0.1), respectively. Similarly, the average depth of the segments with and without proximal plaques was 1.8 ± 0.6 mm and 1.4 ± 0.5 mm (p = 0.06), respectively. Only the RA-MA ratio (8 ± 3 vs. 13 ± 6, p = 0.01) was significantly lower in patients with atherosclerotic plaques.

CONCLUSIONS

The prevalence in our study population was 10%, with mid left anterior descending artery (LAD) being the most common segment involved. Moreover, the prevalence and distribution of coronary plaques in LAD were similar in patients with and without myocardial bridging.

Pseudo-Wellens' syndrome secondary to concurrent cannabis and phencyclidine intoxication

Wellens' syndrome is an electrocardiographic pattern of T-wave changes associated with critical stenosis of the proximal left anterior descending artery, signifying imminent risk of an anterior-wall myocardial infarction. The Wellens' electrocardiographic pattern can also be noted in several cardiac and non-cardiac diseases. We chronicle here a unique case of a patient who presented with atypical left chest pain and dizziness for 6 hours. His pain started after he smoked phencyclidine-laced cannabis. Cardiac panel demonstrated normal troponin T levels. Electrocardiogram showed sinus rhythm with new deep biphasic T-wave inversions in anterolateral leads. Coronary angiography showed no pathological processes. Subsequently, ECG changes resolved coincidentally with the resolution of chest pain. He was eventually diagnosed with pseudo-Wellens' syndrome. This paper illustrates that physicians should be vigilant for Wellens' syndrome mimicked by acute phencyclidine and cannabis intoxication. Additionally, we present a review of various aetiologies of pseudo-Wellens' syndrome, especially in patients with substance abuse.