BackgroundEbola virus disease (EVD) is a public health emergency of international concern. There is limited laboratory and clinical data available on patients with EVD. This is a meta-analysis to assess the utility of clinical signs, symptoms, and laboratory data in predicting mortality in EVD.AimTo assess the utility of clinical signs, symptoms, and laboratory data in predicting mortality in EVD.Method Study selection criterion: EVD articles with more than 35 EVD cases that described the clinical features were included. Data collection and extraction: Articles were searched in Medline, PubMed, Ovid journals, and CDC and WHO official websites. Statistical methods: Pooled proportions were calculated using DerSimonian Laird method (random effects model).ResultsInitial search identified 634 reference articles, of which 67 were selected and reviewed. Data were extracted from 10 articles (N=5,792) of EVD which met the inclusion criteria. Bleeding events (64.5% vs. 25.1%), abdominal pain (58.3% vs. 37.5%), vomiting (60.8% vs. 31.7%), diarrhea (69.9% vs. 37.8%), cough (31.6% vs. 22.3%), sore throat (47.7% vs. 19.8%), and conjunctivitis (39.3% vs. 20.3%) were more often present in pooled proportion of fatal cases as compared to EVD survivors.ConclusionsClinical features of EVD that may be associated with higher mortality include bleeding events, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, cough, sore throat, and conjunctivitis. These patients should be identified promptly, and appropriate management should be instituted immediately.

This is an interesting cardiovascular imaging and coronary angiography case of a 67-year-old female patient who presented with chest pain, abnormal electrocardiogram (EKG), and heart failure who was subsequently found to have spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) and Takotsubo cardiomyopathy (TCM) on imaging studies. The case presentation highlights the importance of imaging studies and prompt diagnosis in these patients. This study may also highlight the need for early medical intervention in patients with suspected systolic dysfunction due to either of these pathophysiologic processes.

Singleton Merten syndrome (SMS) is a rare autosomal dominant genetic disorder with variable expression. Its characteristic features include abnormal aortic calcification, abnormal ossification of extremities, and dental anomalies. We present a young man with dyspnea who was noted to have aortic stenosis in the background of glaucoma, psoriasis, dental anomalies, hand and foot deformities, Achilles tendinitis, osteopenia, and nephrolithiasis. The conglomeration of features led to the diagnosis of SMS. His mother had a very similar phenotype.

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To help standardize the assessment of diastolic dysfunction in the United States, the American Society of Echocardiography (ASE) released criteria for the assessment of diastology in patients with normal and abnormal ejection fraction. As heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in cardiac patients, it is imperative to assess diastology appropriately. Echocardiography is the mainstay in the assessment of diastolic function; with the new ASE guidelines, diagnosis is simplified especially in patients that have preserved baseline ejection fraction. Our study aimed to determine the extent of physician variability in diastology reporting at our medical center after the release of the new ASE criteria.

Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) has become a mainstay of treatment in the management of severe aortic stenosis. It is a challenging procedure that requires expertise in obtaining proper access, delivery of catheters to and beyond the aortic valve, and finally accurate deployment of the aortic bioprosthesis. Patients with aortic anomalies portend an added challenge in performing TAVR procedures. We present the case of a patient incidentally found to have a right dominant double aortic arch who underwent successful TAVR for severe aortic stenosis.

This is an interesting cardiovascular imaging case of a 70-year-old male who presented with heart failure symptoms after recent mitral valve repair with Carpentier-Edwards ring. Ring dehiscence was noted on transesophageal echocardiographic imaging which aided in guiding clinical and surgical courses.

This is an interesting coronary angiography and interventional cardiology case of a 75-year-old Caucasian male with a prior history of coronary artery bypass surgery who presented with non-ST elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) thought to be secondary to distal embolization from thrombus in large right coronary artery (RCA) vein graft aneurysms. This subsequently resulted in percutaneous intervention with coiling of the aneurysmal vein graft segments.