Assessment of embolic cardiomyopathy from atrial myxoma on magnetic resonance imaging: A case report

Atrial myxoma is the most common benign cardiac tumor, which can present with diverse symptoms. Systemic embolism is a frequent complication, affecting up to one-third of cases and frequently involving cerebral arteries. However, cardiac myxoma-induced myocardial infarction (MI) is rare. We report a case of a 56-year-old man presenting with predominant neurological symptoms and an unexplained elevation of hs-Trop T without clinical signs of acute MI. Computerized tomography of the head showed no acute lesions, but subsequent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed multiple small ischemic lesions and old microhemorrhage foci. A comprehensive cardiovascular investigation was performed. Ultrasonography revealed a left atrial mass. Cardiac MRI confirmed the mass was an atrial myxoma, and showed many old infarctions and scarring lesions in the cardiac muscle. The patient underwent tumor resection, but residual motor-neurological deficits were observed. This case emphasizes the importance of cardiac MRI in the diagnosis of multiple focal infarctions attributed to coronary embolism.

Recurrent embolisms despite adequate anticoagulant therapy in a patient with prosthetic heart valves and atrial fibrillation: a case report

Background

Antithrombotic management in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) that have undergone heart valve surgery may be challenging, especially in the context of thromboembolic events during follow-up. The combination of pharmacological therapies with modern transcatheter interventions allows these more complex cases to be overcome.

Case summary

We present the case of a 66-year-old female with a history of AF and mechanical aortic and mitral valve replacement, which was admitted to the hospital complaining of dizziness and unsteady gait. A computerized tomography scan of the brain confirmed the diagnosis of embolic stroke. Two years later, the patient complained of sudden onset of chest pain, accompanied by electrocardiographic abnormalities and elevated high-sensitivity troponin T. Emergency cardiac catheterization revealed embolic myocardial infarction with distal occlusion of the obtuse marginal artery. Again, 2 years later, the patient suffered a new cerebral embolic event. Given the adequate anticoagulation therapy throughout almost the entire clinical course, percutaneous left atrial appendage closure was proposed as an adjunct to vitamin K antagonist treatment. Notably, intraprocedural transoesophageal echocardiography revealed the presence of a previously undetected left atrial appendage thrombus, thus an embolic protection device was used during the procedure, which was successfully carried out without complications.

Discussion

This case report demonstrates the complexity of the antithrombotic management in patients with AF and prosthetic heart valves, and highlights the importance of an individualized approach, integrating new therapeutic strategies to achieve success, in patients that present thromboembolic events despite adequate anticoagulation therapy.

Myocardial infarction associated with infective endocarditis: a case series

Introduction

Embolic myocardial infarction is an uncommon but increasingly recognized complication of infective endocarditis (IE). Its incidence ranges between 1% and 10%, but it has a high mortality rate. A high index of suspicion is required to diagnose it. Only case reports and small studies on this condition have been published; thus, it is unknown what the ideal treatment is. We review the challenges to diagnosing this disease and the most effective treatments for it.

Case presentation

We report a case series of three patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) in IE. The first patient presented with non-ST-elevation ACS. He underwent a stent placement for late-diagnosed embolic myocardial infarction, after which he was treated conservatively without valve replacement, with good results. The second patient with ST-elevation presented with ACS, for which conventional balloon angioplasty and successful double valve replacement were performed. ST-elevation ACS was also observed in the last patient, who experienced periannular complications, which necessitated surgery.

Discussion

Acute coronary syndrome is a rare complication of IE but is associated with an increased risk of heart failure and high mortality rate. Its management is complicated and cannot be standardized. Because each situation is unique, a multidisciplinary discussion is required to choose the best treatment.

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy associated with left ventricular noncompaction cardiomyopathy and coronary fistulae: a case report. One genotype, three phenotypes?

The authors present a rare case of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy associated with left ventricular noncompaction cardiomyopathy and coronary artery-left ventricular fistulae in a 42-year-old woman presenting with non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction. Coronary angiography, transthoracic echocardiography and cardiac magnetic resonance revealed the structural abnormalities of the left ventricle and the coronary tree.