Showing papers by "Ali Rahman published in 2023"
TL;DR: In this article , a previously asymptomatic individual presented to the hospital with respiratory complaints and was found to have a large lung mass, consistent with neuroendocrine lung cancer with direct compression of the left atrium leading to new-onset atrial fibrillation.
Abstract: Atrial fibrillation remains one of the most common conditions that clinical physicians encounter on a daily basis in the inpatient setting. This arrhythmia brings with it numerous complications if not treated properly and leads to intensive analysis of its primary etiology which is unique to every patient. In this case, we present a previously asymptomatic individual who presented to the hospital with respiratory complaints and was found to have a large lung mass, consistent with neuroendocrine lung cancer with direct compression of the left atrium leading to new-onset atrial fibrillation.
TL;DR: In this article , a 50-year-old patient with thyroid dysfunction was attributed to Graves' disease secondary to pembrolizumab therapy, which is extremely rare and has not been reported in the literature.
Abstract: Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICPis), such as pembrolizumab (Keytruda®), are associated with the development of several immune-related adverse events (irAEs). Thyroid dysfunction is a common endocrine irAE associated with pembrolizumab; however, Graves’ disease induced by pembrolizumab is extremely rare. Few cases of this condition have been reported in the literature. Here, we report the case of a 50-year-old patient who presented with thyrotoxicosis that was attributed to Graves’ disease secondary to pembrolizumab therapy.
TL;DR: In this paper , the authors presented a case of Streptococcus sanguinis endocarditis in a 26-year-old female following orthodontic bracing, where the patient exhibited severe regurgitation with the eccentric posteriorly directed flow, leading to significant cardiac strain, further accentuated by systolic flow reversal.
Abstract: We present a case of Streptococcus sanguinis endocarditis in a 26-year-old female following orthodontic bracing. The rarity and debilitating consequences of endocarditis caused by Streptococcus sanguinis are elaborated. The patient exhibited severe regurgitation with the eccentric posteriorly directed flow, leading to significant cardiac strain, further accentuated by systolic flow reversal in the right superior pulmonary vein. Surgical intervention, including mitral valve replacement, was crucial in addressing the underlying infection, restoring valve function, and preventing further complications. However, a second mitral valve replacement was performed due to recurrent bioprosthesis endocarditis. This case underscores the unique challenges of Streptococcus sanguinis endocarditis, emphasizing the need for a multidisciplinary approach and individualized decision-making to optimize patient care.
TL;DR: In this article , a systematic review and meta-analysis assessed the cardiovascular risk of e-smoking and concluded that using e-cigarettes has a detrimental effect on cardiac health, and that vaping can do more harm than good.
Abstract: Electronic cigarettes may increase the risk of long-term cardiovascular morbidity. To protect the heart, awareness should be raised of the risks and limits of E-cigarette aerosol exposure. Thus, this systematic review and meta-analysis assessed the cardiovascular risk of e-smoking. This systematic review was conducted by using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) statement. We searched PubMed, Embase, Scopus, Web of Science, and Science Direct databases in December 2022 to identify studies investigating e-cigarettes' impact on the heart. The study was supported by meta-analysis and qualitative review. Out of the initial 493 papers, only 15 met the inclusion criteria and were included in the study. The cumulative number of participants in the myocardial infarction (MI) group was 85,420, and in the sympathetic groups in whom the systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), mean blood pressure (MBP), and heart rate (HR) were measured, were 332 cigarette smokers. The control group included the “never use,” “non-smokers,” and “never smoke.” The pooled analysis showed a significant difference between the e-cigarette smokers and the control group regarding the risk of developing MI in former smokers (OR= 0.12; 95% CI: 0.01-1.72, P = 0.12) and never smoked (OR= 0.02; 95% CI: 0.00-0.44, P = 0.01) favoring the control group. The pooled analysis of the included studies showed a significant difference between the e-cigarette smokers with nicotine and the control group regarding the mean difference (MD) of the SBP (MD = 2.89; 95% CI: 1.94-3.84; P < 0.001), the DBP (MD = 3.10; 95% CI: 0.42-5.78; P = 0.02), the MBP (MD = 7.05; 95% CI: 2.70-1.40; P = 0.001), and HF (MD = 3.13; 95% CI: 0.96-5.29; P = 0.005) favoring the control group. We conclude that using e-cigarettes has a detrimental effect on cardiac health. The risk of severe cardiac conditions increases with e-cigarettes. Thus, vaping can do more harm than good. Consequently, the misleading notion that e-cigarettes are less harmful should be challenged.
TL;DR: A 26-year-old male who endorses daily cigarette smoking and marijuana vaping presented to the emergency department with acute onset of left-sided chest pain radiating to the left shoulder as mentioned in this paper .
Abstract: A 26-year-old male who endorses daily cigarette smoking and marijuana vaping presented to the emergency department with acute onset of left-sided chest pain radiating to the left shoulder. Physical examination was unremarkable, but laboratory investigations showed elevated white blood cells, cardiac biomarkers including troponin and creatine kinase, and mildly elevated C-reactive protein levels and erythrocyte sedimentation rate. Electrocardiogram displayed subtle ST-segment elevation in a diffuse pattern, leading to a diagnosis of acute myopericarditis. The patient was treated with anti-inflammatory medication and supportive care and instructed to cease cannabis use.
TL;DR: In this paper , the authors reported a rare case of Lactobacillus casei endocarditis in a 71-year-old female, immunocompromised due to chronic steroid intake, who presented with a productive cough and low-grade fever.
Abstract: Probiotics are microorganisms, typically bacteria, similar to beneficial microbiota found in the human gut, usually consumed as dietary supplements or fermented foods. Although probiotics are generally safe, several cases of bacteremia, sepsis, and endocarditis associated with probiotics have been reported. Here we report a rare case of Lactobacillus casei endocarditis in a 71-year-old female, immunocompromised due to chronic steroid intake, who presented with a productive cough and low-grade fever. Blood cultures grew L. casei resistant to vancomycin and meropenem. Transesophageal echocardiography showed mitral and aortic vegetations; valve replacement was done after successfully removing vegetations. She was treated with a six-week course of daptomycin and recovered.