Background Cholesterol pericarditis (CP) remains a rare pericardial disease characterized by chronic pericardial effusions with high cholesterol concentrations with or without the formation of cholesterol crystals. Effusions are often large and can cause ventricular compression and subsequent pericardial adhesion formation. CP can be idiopathic but has associations with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), tuberculosis and hypothyroidism. Case summary We present a case of a 72-year-old male with a background of seropositive RA with a finding of an incidental pericardial effusion on computed tomography thorax abdomen and pelvis. Transthoracic echocardiogram demonstrated a large effusion with echocardiographic features of tamponade. On review, he was breathless with a raised venous pressure, bilateral ankle oedema, and pulsus paradoxus was present. Pericardial drainage was performed with fluid analysis demonstrating a cholesterol concentration of 8.3 mmol/L and numerous cholesterol crystal formation. Interval imaging demonstrated recurrence of the effusion with pericardial thickening and progressive constriction. He remained asymptomatic and underwent a successful pericardial window. At present, he is under close clinical outpatient surveillance with symptoms guiding a future pericardiectomy if warranted. Discussion CP can present as an emergent situation with signs and symptoms of acute heart failure with prompt pericardiocentesis required in cases of clinical tamponade. However, the disease course is often one of chronicity with relapsing large effusions that tend to recur following drainage, with the development of pericardial constriction necessitating pericardiectomy for definitive management.
Background Mesalazine is a well-established 1st line treatment for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Cardiotoxicity following 5-aminosalicyclic-acid therapy remains a rare yet serious complication and can often be challenging to distinguish from myocarditis presenting as an extra-intestinal manifestation of IBD. Case summary We present a case of a 22-year-old man with a background of ulcerative colitis commenced on a mesalazine preparation for disease progression. He presented to our hospital 12 days following drug initiation with acute chest pain, peak troponin-T of 242 ng/L, dynamic electrocardiogram changes, and severe left ventricular systolic dysfunction on transthoracic echocardiogram. The clinical diagnosis of myopericarditis was suspected and mesalazine was stopped shortly after. Outpatient cardiac magnetic resonance performed 2 weeks following mesalazine cessation demonstrated a recovery of cardiac function with associated symptom and biochemical resolution. Discussion Clinicians should be aware of this potentially fatal adverse effect of a commonly prescribed medication. Symptoms of myocarditis often occur within the early stages of mesalazine initiation, which aids the clinical diagnosis. The mainstay of treatment is to simply discontinue the drug with rapid resolution of symptoms seen without any permanent or long-term cardiac dysfunction. Close liaison with the gastroenterology team is key, as 2nd line IBD therapies are often required for the ongoing management of the patient’s colitis.
Background An increasing number of catheter ablations are performed for symptomatic tachyarrhythmias and commonly involve the left atrium, increasing the risk of catheter interaction with the mitral valve (MV) complex. Mitral valve trauma at the time of atrial fibrillation (AF) ablations remains a rare yet emergent situation that requires prompt diagnosis and management to prevent the long-term sequelae of heart failure secondary to MV dysfunction. Case summary We present a case of a 69-year-old female with symptomatic paroxysmal AF and atrial flutter who underwent a combined ablation procedure. During the pulmonary vein isolation procedure, the mapping catheter became entangled within the MV apparatus but was freed. She presented to our hospital 2 weeks later with dyspnoea, lethargy, and a cough. Clinical examination revealed a pansystolic murmur and right moderate pleural effusion. Transthoracic echocardiogram (TTE) demonstrated a flail posterior MV leaflet with severe eccentric mitral regurgitation (MR). She underwent urgent valve repair at the regional cardiothoracic centre. Upon review 2 months later, she was symptom free with surveillance TTE demonstrating a preserved left ventricular systolic function with a trace of MR. Discussion Mitral valve injury secondary to catheter entrapment at the time of left-sided ablations is a rare yet serious complication and can present as an emergent situation requiring prompt recognition and early surgical management to salvage valve and cardiac function.
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