Search

Background Behçet's disease is an inflammatory condition, caused by vasculitis of big and small veins and arteries in which, although vascular inflammation is the basis of disease, cardiac involvement is rare. We present a rare case of a man, affected by Behçet's disease, with pulmonary embolism due to a floating thrombus in the right ventricle. Case summary We report a case of a 36-year-old man admitted to emergency department due to dyspnoea and haemoptysis. He had already been diagnosed with Behçet's disease, and he was in therapy with low doses of azathioprine and prednisone from three months. Thorax CT scan detected pulmonary embolism with pulmonary infraction. No evidence of deep vein thrombosis was found. The echocardiogram pointed out a floating mass of at least 30 mm in the right ventricle. Cardiac magnetic resonance confirmed the diagnosis of right ventricle thrombosis. On the hypothesis of an inflammatory genesis of the thrombosis, immunosuppressive drugs and anticoagulation with vitamin K antagonist were prescribed. The patient underwent echocardiograms every 3 weeks, and the mass disappeared 5 months later. Discussion Behçet's disease is a systemic inflammatory disorder that often affects vessels and rarely the heart. Thrombosis can be the only clinical feature of primary or relapsing events with also atypical origin site. Thrombosis suggests a high inflammatory status that needs to be balanced with the right immunosuppressive therapy, associated to anticoagulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Idiopathic myelofibrosis is a rare chronic myeloproliferative disease leading to extramedullary hematopoiesis (myeloid metaplasia) with splenomegaly. The liver and less frequently other organs including the lung can be involved, therefore portal hypertension is relatively common. Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is only occasionally reported, although recent studies have suggested an association between PH and myeloproliferative disorders. We present a case of PH diagnosis by echocardiography in a patient affected by idiopathic myelofibrosis with portal hypertension.

Introduction. We report a case of stroke in a crack smoker with occlusion of the middle cerebral artery and a large thrombus in the carotid artery. Case Presentation. A 34-year-old female presented with left upper arm weakness, associated with paresthesia with onset of symptoms more than 24 hours before. Angio-RM sequences showed an area of ischemia, with occlusion of the M2 segment of the middle cerebral artery. Carotid ultrasound showed a soft plaque with distal end floating. Anticoagulant treatment was started, and seriated ultrasound evaluations showed its gradual dissolution. Conclusions. In atherothromboembolic stroke from carotid thrombosis, repeated ultrasound studies may be useful for either diagnosis and monitoring the efficacy of anticoagulant therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Low-grade incomplete post-dexamethasone cortisol suppression in patients with adrenal incidentalomas - recently defined as possible autonomous cortisol secretion (pACS) - has been associated with increased cardiovascular events and mortality. However, prospective studies documenting cardiac abnormalities in these patients are lacking. Subjects and methods: Between July 2016 and September 2017, 71 consecutive patients with adrenal lesions were prospectively screened for hypercortisolism by dexamethasone suppression test (NCT 02611258). Complete anthropometric, metabolic and hormonal parameters were recorded along with full cardiac ultrasound assessment and noninvasive measurement of arterial stiffness. All patients underwent chemical-shift magnetic resonance imaging to characterize the lesions. Cardiovascular outcomes were recorded in blind. Results: According to post-dexamethasone suppression cortisol values (post-DST), 34 patients had pACS and 37 nonfunctioning adenomas (NFA). The two groups were similar in sex, BMI, age distribution, cardiovascular risk factors and comorbidities. Left ventricular mass index (LVMIBSA) was increased in pACS compared to NFA (P = 0.006) and mildly correlated to the post-DST cortisol level (rho = 0.347; P = 0.004). The post-DST cortisol levels explained up to 13.7% of LVMIBSA variance (P = 0.002). Compared to NFA, patients with pACS had a higher prevalence of diastolic dysfunction (35.1% vs 82.6%; P = 0.001) and worse arterial stiffness assessed by pulse wave velocity (P = 0.033). Conclusions: In apparently asymptomatic patients, mild autonomous cortisol secretion can sustain early cardiac and vascular remodeling, independently of other risk factors. The morphological and functional cardiovascular changes observed in pACS underline the need for further studies to correctly define the long-term management of this relatively common condition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To investigate whether parathyroidectomy (PTx) reverses risk factors for arrhythmias related to the QT dynamic changes evaluated during bicycle ergometry exercise test (ET). Methods: Twenty-four postmenopausal women with primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) (mean age 60.0±8.4 years) and 30 sex- and age-matched controls underwent ET, echocardiography, and biochemical evaluation. The following stages were considered during ET: rest, peak exercise, and recovery. The patients were randomized to two groups: 12 underwent PTx (group A) and 12 were followed-up conservatively (group B). After 6 months, the patients were studied again. Results: Groups A and B showed no differences in mean baseline biochemical values, echocardiographic parameters, and QTc interval. PHPT patients showed an increased occurrence of ventricular premature beats (VPBs) during ET compared with controls (37.0 vs 6.6%, P=0.03). Serum calcium level was a predictor of VPBs (P=0.05). Mean value of QTc was in the normal range at baseline (group A: 401±16.9; group B: 402.25±13.5 ms) but significantly lower than controls (417.8±25.1 ms, P<0.01). A negative correlation was found between QTc and calcium values (P=0.03). Physiological reduction of QTc interval from rest to peak exercise was not observed in PHPT patients before surgery. After PTx, group A had a significant reduction in VPBs compared with baseline (at baseline, 5 of 12 vs none of 12 patients after PTx, P=0.03) and a restored normal QT adaptation during ET. Group B showed no significant changes after a 6-month period. Conclusions: PTx reduces the occurrence of VPBs and restored the QTc adaptation during ET. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aeromonas hydrophila has been infrequently reported as a cause of infection in humans. It has been associated with a variety of clinical syndromes but Aeromonas-related endocarditis is extremely rare. We present the case of a 76- year-old diabetic patient who was admitted to our hospital due to severe lumbar pain resistant to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs accompanied by fever (up to 38.5°C). The vital signs were normal and the physical examination was unremarkable except for tenderness over right flank. Laboratory investigation showed a mild leukocytosis (white blood cell count of 11,360×106/L) with elevation of inflammatory markers. Cardiac ultrasound showed a large vegetation on the mitral valve. Abdominal computed tomogrpahy revealed a ruptured aneurysm of the right renal artery. Multiple sets of blood culture grew A. hydrophila. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hypertensive subjects can be subdivided into 2 groups, dippers and nondippers, according to the presence or the lack of a nocturnal fall of blood pressure of more than 10%. Several studies have investigated cardiac organ damage in the 2 groups with discordant results, but they included subjects with different onset, severity, and treatment of hypertension. The authors selected 23 dippers and 17 nondippers affected by newly (< 1 year) diagnosed grades 1 and 2 hypertension, never treated, who underwent 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring and M-mode echocardiography. They did not find significant differences between the 2 groups as regards the echocardiographic left ventricular and atrial dimensions or regarding the left ventricular mass, left ventricular mass index, or relative wall thickness. Also no significant differences were found in the rate of either left ventricular remodeling or left ventricular hypertrophy. These data suggest that nondipping status is not associated with a higher level of cardiac involvement in the early phases of hypertension compared to dipping status. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the exercise tolerance by expired gas analysis during stress test in patients with Systemic Sclerosis (SSc).Methods: Eighteen women (mean age 48.56+/-12.48 years) affected by SSc were studied. A complete echocardiographic examination including pulmonary artery systolic pressure estimation, pulmonary function tests, diffusion lung capacity for carbon monoxide (DLCO), and exercise test were performed. During exercise, breath-by-breath expired gas analysis was performed.Results: Seven patients (39%) had baseline pulmonary systolic hypertension (group A) and 11 patients (61%) did not (group B). Six patients had reduced DLCO values. Both maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max) and anaerobic threshold (VO2AT) values were markedly decreased compared to the predicted values. Seven of 18 patients were unable to complete a maximal exercise (5 of whom affected by pulmonary systolic hypertension). Group A patients showed reduced VO2max, VO2AT, and O2 pulse compared with patients with group B patients (p=0.004, 0.017, and 0.013, respectively); VO2max, VO2AT and O2 pulse were significantly correlated to baseline pulmonary artery systolic pressure.Conclusions: An exercise intolerance in patients affected by SSc is present. Impairment of exercise performance is associated with pulmonary hypertension. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presents information on a study investigating the relationship of plasma endothelin (ET)-1 levels, pulmonary hypertension and lung fibrosis in patients with systemic sclerosis. ET-1 concentration of patients with systemic sclerosis; Effect of high plasma ET-1 on systemic hypertensive patients.

The diagnosis of skeletal muscle involvement in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc) is usually based on clinical, laboratory, electromyographic, and bioptic evidence of muscle disorder, whereas SSc cardiac disease is well established by nuclear medicine techniques (radionuclide ventriculography and myocardial scintigraphy). Previous reports have retrospectively hypothesized a possible relationship between cardiac and muscle involvement in scleroderma patients. In order to improve overall diagnostic accuracy in the qualitative/quantitative assessment of skeletal muscle involvement in these patients and to compare these results with those obtained at the cardiac level, diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA)-99mTc radionuclide ventriculography and 99mTc SESTAMIBI myocardial and muscular scintigraphic examinations were performed in 10 SSc patients and in five healthy subjects. Muscular radioactivity, as assessed at thigh and calf levels by means of a segmental score, was significantly decreased in SSc patients in comparison with healthy subjects (global score value 15.6 ±2.2 vs 22.7 ±1.6, p<0.001), as well as right ventricular ejection fraction (RVEF, 34.3% ±5.3 vs 53.6% ±4.2, p<0.001) and myocardial segmental perfusion (global score value, 19.6 ±2 vs 25.9 ±1.1, p<0.01). The results show a high frequency of skeletal muscle involvement in patients with SSc. Moreover, scleroderma patients with muscle disorders, as evidenced by scintigraphy, show a comparable occurrence of cardiac involvement, even in the absence of clinical signs of cardiac dysfunction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two female patients with recent diagnosis of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) are reported. Pulmonary arterial hypertension was diagnosed by Doppler echocardiography. Immunosuppressive therapy was started at the time of diagnosis of SLE. After 2 months of therapy, Doppler echocardiography was repeated and the estimated pulmonary artery systolic pressure was substantially decreased from 78 to 42 mmHg and from 67 to 42 mmHg, respectively, along with significant improvement of the clinical conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Background Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) might be complicated by the development of nosocomial bloodstream infection (n-BSI). Based on the hypothesis that alteration of the normal gut integrity is present during CDI, we evaluated markers of microbial translocation, inflammation, and intestinal damage in patients with CDI. Methods Patients with documented CDI were enrolled in the study. For each subject, plasma samples were collected at T0 and T1 (before and after CDI therapy, respectively), and the following markers were evaluated: lipopolysaccharide-binding protein (LPB), EndoCab IgM, interleukin-6, intestinal fatty acid binding protein (I-FABP). Samples from nonhospitalized healthy controls were also included. The study population was divided into BSI+/BSI- and fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) +/FMT- groups, according to the development of n-BSI and the receipt of FMT, respectively. Results Overall, 45 subjects were included; 8 (17.7%) developed primary n-BSI. Markers of microbial translocation and intestinal damage significantly decreased between T0 and T1, however, without reaching values similar to controls (P <.0001). Compared with BSI-, a persistent high level of microbial translocation in the BSI+ group was observed. In the FMT+ group, markers of microbial translocation and inflammation at T1 tended to reach control values. Conclusions CDI is associated with high levels of microbial translocation, inflammation, and intestinal damage, which are still present at clinical resolution of CDI. The role of residual mucosal perturbation and persistence of intestinal cell damage in the development of n-BSI following CDI, as well as the possible effect of FMT in the restoration of mucosal integrity, should be further investigated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tregs can contribute to tumor progression by suppressing antitumor immunity. Exceptionally, in human colorectal cancer (CRC), Tregs are thought to exert beneficial roles in controlling pro-tumor chronic inflammation. The goal of our study was to characterize CRC-infiltrating Tregs at multiple levels, by phenotypical, molecular and functional evaluation of Tregs from the tumor site, compared to non-tumoral mucosa and peripheral blood of CRC patients. The frequency of Tregs was higher in mucosa than in blood, and further significantly increased in tumor.Ex vivo, those Tregs suppressed the proliferation of tumor-infiltrating CD8+and CD4+T cells. A differential compartmentalization was detected between Helioshighand HelioslowTreg subsets (thymus-derived versus peripherally induced): while HelioslowTregs were enriched in both sites, only HelioshighTregs accumulated significantly and specifically in tumors, displayed a highly demethylated TSDR region and contained high proportions of cells expressing CD39 and OX40, markers of activation and suppression. Besides the suppression of T cells, Tregs may contribute to CRC progression also through releasing IL-17, or differentiating into Tfr cells that potentially antagonize a protective Tfh response, events that were both detected in tumor-associated Tregs. Overall, our data indicate that Treg accumulation may contribute through multiple mechanisms to CRC establishment and progression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Riassunto. Le dissecazioni delle arterie cervicali (DAC) sono una causa inusuale di ictus ma il loro tasso di prevalenza cresce fino al 20% nella fascia di età giovane-adulta. In molti casi le dissecazioni si associano a rare malattie connettivali come la sindrome di Ehlers-Danlos, di Marfan, la fibrodisplasia. I fattori di rischio esterni principali sono rappresentati da bruschi traumi cervicali come negli incidenti stradali o, meno frequentemente, da procedure meno cruente come la manipolazione e l'iperestensione prolungata del collo. Diversi casi di DAC sono presenti in letteratura dopo sedute chiropratiche, procedure odontoiatriche ed endoscopiche. Noi riportiamo un insolito caso di dissecazione della carotide interna di sinistra causata da iperestensione del collo occorsa dopo uno shampoo dal parrucchiere.

POEMS syndrome (P polyradiculoneuropathy, O organomegaly, E endocrinopathy, M clonal plasma cell disorder, and S skin changes) is a rare syndrome due to a plasma cell dyscrasia. It is characterized by polyneuropathy, organomegaly, endocrinopathy, monoclonal gammopathy, skin changes. Increased serum VEGF, sclerotic bone lesions, Castleman's disease, oedema, ascites, papilledema and thrombocytosis are other important clinical features. We report a case of POEMS syndrome in a 34-years old man with an unusual clinical presentation. Dyspnoea, organomegaly, and skin changes preceded the clinical manifestations of polyneuropathy. The variability of presentation of the POEMS should suggest to consider the diagnosis even in the lack of the signs of polyneuropathy.

Streptococcus anginosus group is widely known for its ability to cause invasive pyogenic infections. There are very few reports of disseminated infections sustained by members of this streptococcal group. We report a case of a highly disseminated infection and analyse previous literature reports. Disseminated pyogenic infection has been defined as an infection affecting two or more of the following organs/systems: central nervous system, lung, liver and spleen. We performed a PubMed search using the terms: S. milleri, S. anginosus, brain abscess, pulmonary abscess, hepatic abscess, spleen abscess. We reviewed 12 case reports including the one presented in this paper. Underlying conditions such as dental infections, malignancy, gastrointestinal and respiratory tract disease accounted for 42% of cases. No definite endocarditis was encountered, even though positive blood cultures were found in 67% of patients. Concomitant brain-liver, brain-lung and brain-spleen involvement occurred in 50%, 42% and 8% of cases respectively. Ninety-one percent (91%) of patients were treated with β-lactams, and surgical procedures were performed in 67% of patients. Infections caused by S. anginosus group members are satisfactorily treated with penicillin G and cephalosporins. It is very important to associate surgery to antimicrobial chemotherapy in order to achieve a full or nearly full clinical recovery.

Background: In patients with chronic heart failure (CHF) anaemia is a common finding and may worsen clinical conditions. Moreover, CHF itself could be involved in the pathogenesis of anaemia. Early studies suggested a pathogenic role of inflammation mediators., Objectives: The objectives of the study were to assess the relationship between CHF and haemoglobin (Hgb) plasma levels, and to investigate a possible link between fibrinogen plasma levels and anaemia., Methods: This retrospective study included consecutively hospitalized patients with CHF and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) < 50%. Patients without signs or symptoms of CHF and with LVEF > or = 50% were selected as controls. Patients with secondary anaemia were excluded., Results: 257 patients (72% men) with CHF and 224 controls (65% men) were studied.The average +/- SD of Hgb in CHF patients was 12.38 +/- 1.98 g/dl vs. 13.43 +/- 1.64 g/dl in controls (P < 0.0001). A total of 69 patients (26.7%) had both CHF and anaemia. Plasma fibrinogen concentration was higher in the patients compared with the control subjects (364.83 +/- 123.76 mg/dl vs. 343.44 +/- 135.43 mg/dl; respectively; P = 0.013). Patients with anaemia showed a significantly higher plasma fibrinogen concentration compared to those without anaemia (400.57 +/- 132.36 mg/dl vs. 351.72 +/- 118.13 mg/dl; P = 0.0059). Stepwise logistic regression analysis showed that female gender, creatinine plasma levels, and fibrinogen plasma levels were independently associated with anaemia. No significant relationship between fibrinogen and creatinine plasma concentration was found., Conclusion: Anaemia is common in CHF patients and it is associated with heart failure severity.The increase of fibrinogen plasma levels in CHF patients seems to confirm that chronic inflammation is involved in the pathogenesis of anaemia.

The case of a 61-year-old woman with Whipple's disease-associated sicca complex is reported. Tropheryma whipplei infection was diagnosed by histological and ultrastructural examination of the jejunal mucosa and sequence analysis of the bacterial 16S ribosomal DNA. The role of vitamin A malabsorption in sicca complex secondary to Whipple's disease is discussed.