Acute pericarditis: Update on diagnosis and management

When, Why and How to Re-challenge Clozapine in Schizophrenia Following Myocarditis

Clozapine-induced myocarditis (CIM) is among the most important adverse events limiting the use of clozapine as the most effective treatment for schizophrenia. CIM necessitates the immediate termination of clozapine, often resulting in its permanent discontinuation with considerable detrimental effects on patients' psychopathology and long-term outcome. Consequently, a clozapine re-challenge after CIM is increasingly regarded as a viable alternative, with published reports indicating a success rate of approximately 60%. However, published cases of re-challenges after CIM remain limited. Here, we provide a narrative review of the current state of research regarding the epidemiology, pathophysiology, risk factors, diagnosis and clinical management of CIM as well as a synthesis of current recommendations for re-challenging patients after CIM. This includes a step-by-step guide for this crucial procedure based on the current evidence regarding the pathophysiology and risk factors for CIM. Slow dose titration regimes and addressing risk factors including concomitant valproate and olanzapine are crucial both to prevent CIM and to ensure a safe and successful re-challenge. Furthermore, we discuss the utility of C-reactive protein, troponin, N-terminal-pro hormone and brain natriuretic peptide, therapeutic drug-monitoring and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging for CIM screening and diagnosis as well as for post-CIM re-challenges.

Coronavirus-Induced Cardiac Tamponade in a Healthy 29-Year-Old Patient

Pericarditis and pericardial effusion related to COVID-19 can lead to cardiac tamponade. Most case reports describe these complications in middle-aged or elderly patients. This case highlights a 29-year-old healthy patient who developed cardiac tamponade requiring an emergent pericardial window within one week of COVID-19 infection. This case also highlights the utility of point-of-care ultrasound in diagnosing serious COVID-19 complications.

Cardiac Manifestations of Viral Infections, Including COVID-19: A Review

Viral infections have been linked to a variety of cardiac pathology, which may include acute myocarditis, dilated cardiomyopathy, heart failure, cardiogenic shock, pericarditis, acute coronary syndromes, and arrhythmias. We performed a systematic review of literature focusing on the cardiovascular effects of various viral infections, as well as providing an update on the current understanding of the pathophysiology of Coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19). Cardiac manifestations of viral illnesses are usually self-limiting, have variable clinical presentations, and require sufficient clinical suspicion for diagnosis and optimal management.

Incidence and Impact of Acute Pericarditis in Hospitalized Patients With COVID-19

Background Acute pericarditis (AP) is considered a cardiovascular complication in patients with COVID-19. We aimed to ass-ess the incidence, associated complications, and clinical impact of AP on hospitalized patients with COVID-19. Methods and Results In this retrospective cohort study, International Classification of Diseases, Tenthth Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-10) codes were used to identify patients with COVID-19 with or without AP in the National Inpatient Sample 2020 database. We compared outcomes between AP and non-AP groups before and after propensity-score matching for patient and hospital demographics and relevant comorbidities. A total of 211 619 patients with a primary diagnosis of COVID-19 were identified, including 983 (0.46%) patients who had a secondary diagnosis of AP. Before matching, patients with COVID-19 with AP were younger (59.93±19.24 years old versus 64.29±16.82 years old) and more likely to have anemia (40.5% versus 19.9%), cancer (6.7% versus 3.6%), and chronic kidney disease (29.3% versus 19.6%) (all P<0.05). After matching, patients with COVID-19 with AP (n=980), when compared with the matched non-AP group (n=2936), had higher rates of mortality (21.3% versus 11.1%, P<0.001), cardiac arrest (5.0% versus 2.6%, P<0.001), cardiogenic shock (4.2% versus 0.5%, P<0.001), ventricular arrhythmia (4.7% versus 1.9%, P<0.001), acute kidney injury (38.3% versus 28.9%, P<0.001), acute congestive heart failure (14.3% versus 4.8%, P<0.001), and longer length of stay (7.00±10.00 days versus 5.00±7.00 days, P<0.001) and higher total charges ($75066.5±$130831.3 versus $44824.0±$63660.5, P<0.001). Conclusions In hospitalized patients with COVID-19, AP is a rare but severe in-hospital complication and is associated with worse in-hospital outcomes.

Early Postoperative Cardiac Complications Following Heart Transplantation:

Cardiovascular disorders remain the leading cause of death around the world. Heart transplantation is considered the only therapeutic choice defined as the gold standard strategy to manage end-stage heart failure. Nevertheless, the remaining postoperative complications compromise both the survival rate and quality of life in heart transplantation recipients. The present study aimed to review the current findings concerning the main early complications after heart transplantation, reliable predictors, diagnostic approaches, novel surgical techniques, and management strategies. The results demonstrated that significant advances in immunosuppressive pharmaceuticals, determining appropriate policies for donor acceptance, pre and post-operative treatment/care, selection of the most compatible donor with the recipient, and the suggestion of novel diagnostic and surgical techniques over the past decade had dropped the mortality and morbidity rates early after transplantation. However,marrhythmia, atrial flutter, atrial fibrillation, deep sternal wound infection along with other sites infections, low cardiac output syndrome, acute graft dysfunction, pericardial effusion, constrictive pericarditis, and acute cellular rejection could be considered as the major early complications following heart transplantations that pivotally require further investigations.

Cardiovascular Manifestations of Systemic Sclerosis: An Overview of Pathophysiology, Screening Modalities, and Treatment Options

Systemic sclerosis, previously known as scleroderma, is a heterogeneous, systemic disease that is defined by its 3 pathological hallmarks: the production of autoantibodies, small vessel vasculopathy, and fibroblast dysfunction, leading to an increased deposition of extracellular matrix. We conducted a review of the available literature that covers the cardiovascular manifestations of SSc: electrical conduction abnormalities, pulmonary hypertension, pericardial disease, and atherosclerosis. Within each major category, we will discuss the definition, diagnostics, and available treatment options. Increased mortality from cardiovascular complications necessitates early screening and management. Annual screening with noninvasive modalities is encouraged. The current management of each complication generally follows the management algorithms of patients regardless of SSc status and is dependent on the severity of the patient's clinical presentation.

Pericardial computed tomography imaging findings in the setting of coccidioidomycosis

Background

Pericardial disease can be a manifestation of infection and imaging can have a role in its diagnosis. coccidioidomycosis endemic fungal infection has been more frequently reported over the past few decades. Other than case reports or series, there has been no systemic study evaluating pericardial imaging findings in patients with coccidioidomycosis to the best of our knowledge. The purpose of this study was to evaluate intrathoracic computed tomographic (CT) imaging abnormalities in patients with coccidioidal infection with specific emphasis on the pericardium.

Methods

Retrospective review of radiology reports and clinical chart review was performed to identify patients with coccidioidomycosis between January 2000 and September 2021 at our medical center. Diagnosis of infection was confirmed predominately with serology. Patients were excluded if a CT was not performed within 3 months of confirmed diagnosis date and if there was concomitant additional granulomatous or fungal infection. Chest CT was reviewed for pericardial and additional intrathoracic findings.

Results

The final retrospective cohort consisted of 37 patients. Imaging findings included lung nodules (N = 33/37), consolidation (N = 25/37), mediastinal or hilar lymphadenopathy (N = 20/37) and pleural effusions (N = 13/37). Eleven of 37 patients (30%) had either trace pericardial fluid (N = 3/37) or small pericardial effusions (N = 8/37). One patient had pericardial enhancement/thickening and history of pericardial tamponade. No other patient had clinical pericarditis or pericardial tamponade. Pericardial calcifications were not seen in any patient. Pericardial effusion was statistically associated with presence of pleural effusion as 9/13 patients with pleural effusion had pericardial effusion versus 2/26 patients without pleural effusion had pericardial effusion (p < 0.001). Otherwise patients with and without pericardial imaging findings were similar in terms of demographics, comorbidities and other imaging findings.

Conclusion

Pulmonary parenchymal pathology is a common manifestation of coccidioidal infection. Most patients with coccidioidomycosis do not have pericardial imaging abnormalities on CT.

Proton beam therapy causing pericarditis – a rare case of radiation induced cardiotoxicity

Acute pericarditis is caused by the inflammation of the pericardium which can result in an effusion around the heart. Proton beam therapy causing radiation-induced pericarditis is not a well-known cause of pericarditis. We present a case of a patient with Li-Fraumeni Syndrome who developed acute onset pericarditis, presumed to be secondary to proton beam therapy.

Development and Validation of an Algorithm for the Digitization of ECG Paper Images

The electrocardiogram (ECG) signal describes the heart's electrical activity, allowing it to detect several health conditions, including cardiac system abnormalities and dysfunctions. Nowadays, most patient medical records are still paper-based, especially those made in past decades. The importance of collecting digitized ECGs is twofold: firstly, all medical applications can be easily implemented with an engineering approach if the ECGs are treated as signals; secondly, paper ECGs can deteriorate over time, therefore a correct evaluation of the patient's clinical evolution is not always guaranteed. The goal of this paper is the realization of an automatic conversion algorithm from paper-based ECGs (images) to digital ECG signals. The algorithm involves a digitization process tested on an image set of 16 subjects, also with pathologies. The quantitative analysis of the digitization method is carried out by evaluating the repeatability and reproducibility of the algorithm. The digitization accuracy is evaluated both on the entire signal and on six ECG time parameters (R-R peak distance, QRS complex duration, QT interval, PQ interval, P-wave duration, and heart rate). Results demonstrate the algorithm efficiency has an average Pearson correlation coefficient of 0.94 and measurement errors of the ECG time parameters are always less than 1 mm. Due to the promising experimental results, the algorithm could be embedded into a graphical interface, becoming a measurement and collection tool for cardiologists.

Acute myocarditis: aetiology, diagnosis and management

Acute myocarditis is a serious, likely underdiagnosed condition affecting people of all ages and for which the number of UK hospital admissions is rising. A primary diagnosis of myocarditis accounted for 0.04% (36.5 per 100,000) of all hospital admissions in England between 1998 and 2017, although this is likely to be an underestimate of the true burden of myocarditis. The aetiology is broad, including infective and inflammatory conditions as well as exposure to toxic agents. Clinical features are varied and overlap with other acute cardiac conditions making diagnosis a challenge. Cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging currently serves as the gold standard non-invasive diagnostic modality. If an underlying aetiological process is identified, then therapy may be directed at the cause; however, for most, treatment is supportive and aimed at managing any complications such as heart failure or arrhythmias. There is emerging evidence for immunosuppressive therapy in certain cases. Prognosis is generally good with recovery in most; however, up to 30% with biopsy-proven myocarditis progress to develop a dilated cardiomyopathy and its potential associated complications. All-cause mortality in the UK for patients presenting to hospital with acute myocarditis is approximately 4%.

Fifteen-year experience with pericardiectomy at a tertiary referral center

Purpose

Pericardiectomy has traditionally carried relatively high perioperative mortality and morbidity, with few published reports of intermediate- and long- term outcomes. We investigated our 15-year experience performing pericardiectomy at our institution.

Methods

Retrospective study of all patients who underwent pericardiectomy at our institution between 2005 and 2019. Baseline demographics, intraoperative details, and postoperative outcomes including long-term survival were analyzed.

Results

Sixty-three patients were included in the study. 66.7% of subjects underwent isolated pericardiectomy while 33.3% underwent pericardiectomy concomitantly with another cardiac surgical procedure. The most common indications for pericardiectomy were constrictive (79.4%) and hemorrhagic (9.5%) pericarditis. Preoperatively, 76.2% of patients were New York Heart Association class II and III, while postoperatively, 71.4% were class I and II. One-, three-, five-, and ten- year overall mortality was 9.5, 14.3, 20.6, and 25.4%, respectively. Overall pericarditis recurrence rate was 4.8%.

Conclusion

Pericardiectomy carries relatively high overall mortality rates, which likely reflects underlying disease etiology and comorbidities. Patients with prior cardiac intervention, history of dialysis, and immunocompromised state are associated with worse outcomes.

Acute Pericarditis after Percutaneous Coronary Intervention: A Case Report

Background: Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is known as a very rare possible trigger of pericarditis. Most frequently it develops after a latent period or early in the case of periprocedural complications. In this report, we present an atypical early onset of pericarditis after an uncomplicated PCI. Case Summary: A 58-year-old man was admitted to the hospital for PCI of the chronic total occlusion of the left anterior descending (LAD) artery. An initial electrocardiogram (ECG) was unremarkable. The PCI attempt was unsuccessful. There were no procedure-related complications observed at the end of the PCI attempt and the patient was symptom free. Six hours after the interventional procedure, the patient complained of severe chest pain. The ECG demonstrated ST-segment elevation in anterior and lateral leads. Troponin I was mildly elevated but a coronary angiogram did not reveal the impairment of collateral blood flow to the LAD territory. Due to pericarditic chest pain, typical ECG findings and pericardial effusion with elevated C-reactive protein, the diagnosis of acute pericarditis was established, and a course of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) was initiated. Chest pain was relieved and ST-segment elevation almost completely returned to baseline after three days of treatment. The patient was discharged in stable condition without chest pain on the fourth day after symptom onset. Conclusions: Acute pericarditis is a rare complication of PCI. Despite the lack of specific clinical manifestation, post-traumatic pericarditis should be considered in patients with symptoms and signs of pericarditis and a prior history of iatrogenic injury or thoracic trauma.

Erysipelas Complicated with Acute Exudative Pericarditis

Erysipelas is a common skin infection of the upper dermis. Its most common complications are local; these include abscess formation, skin necrosis, etc. In the present article, we introduce a case of a 75-year-old patient with erysipelas of the face complicated with acute exudative pericarditis. The patient came to Kaunas Clinical Hospital complaining of extreme fatigue and fever, oedema of the left side of the face, and erythema typical for erysipelas. The patient also felt sternum and epigastric pain, especially during breathing, and dyspnoea. Heart work was rhythmic 100 bpm; blood pressure was 142/70 mmHg. Pericardial friction rub was heard over the left sternal border. There were no alterations in other systems. In the electrocardiogram, concave ST segment elevation in leads II, III, and aVF was identified. In addition, during hospitalisation, the patient experienced atrial fibrillation paroxysm, which was treated with amiodarone intravenously. The blood test showed C-reactive protein: 286 mg/L; white blood cells: 20 × 10⁹/L; troponin I was within the normal range. During echocardiography, pericardial fluid in pericardial cavity was identified. As no changes in troponin I were observed, according to the ST segment elevation, the woman was diagnosed with erysipelas of the left side of the face complicated with acute exudative pericarditis. Antibacterial treatment of cephalosporins was administered. After the treatment, C-reactive protein decreased to 27.8 mg/L; whereas, in the electrocardiogram, the return of the ST segment to the isoline was observed, and pericardial fluid resorbed from the pericardial cavity. To the best of the authors' knowledge, this case is a rare combination of erysipelas complicated with acute exudative pericarditis.

Pericardial effusion and cardiac tamponade requiring pericardial window in an otherwise healthy 30-year-old patient with COVID-19: a case report

Background

This case report demonstrates pericardial effusion, acute pericarditis, and cardiac tamponade in an otherwise healthy woman who had a positive test result for coronavirus disease 2019. Few case reports have been documented on patients with this presentation, and it is important to share novel presentations of the disease as they are discovered.

Case presentation

A Caucasian patient with coronavirus disease 2019 returned to the emergency department of our hospital 2 days after her initial visit with worsening chest pain and shortness of breath. Imaging revealed new pericardial effusion since the previous visit. The patient became hypotensive, was taken for pericardial window for cardiac tamponade with a drain placed, and was treated for acute pericarditis.

Conclusion

Much is still unknown about the implications of coronavirus disease 2019. With the novel coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic, research is still in process, and we are slowly learning about new signs and symptoms of the disease. This case report documents a lesser-known presentation of a patient with coronavirus disease 2019 and will help to further understanding of a rare presentation.