Fabry Disease: Update, Focusing on Heart Disease by Multimodal Imaging

Fabry disease (FD) is a rare X-linked lysosomal accumulation disorder caused by a deficiency in the enzyme alpha-galactosidase A (Gal A), resulting in excessive storage of glycosphingolipids, particularly globotriaosylceramide (Gb3). This leads to cellular dysfunction in various organs, with cardiovascular compromise being the major cause of morbidity and mortality. This study aimed to provide a comprehensive overview of FD focusing on its genetic, epidemiological, clinical, diagnostic, and therapeutic aspects. This study explored the genetic mutations associated with FD, its epidemiology, clinical phenotypes, cardiac manifestations, diagnostic approaches, and current treatment options. Background: FD is caused by mutations in GLA on the X chromosome, with over 1000 identified variants. Neonatal screening and specific studies have shown an increased incidence of FD. The clinical presentation varies between classic and late phenotypes, with cardiac involvement being a major concern, particularly in late-onset FD. Purpose: This study aimed to summarize the current knowledge on FD, emphasizing cardiac involvement, diagnostic modalities, and treatment options. Methods: A literature review of relevant studies on FD, including genetics, epidemiology, clinical presentation, diagnostic methods, and treatment options, was conducted. Results: Cardiac manifestations of FD included left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH), heart failure, arrhythmias, and sudden death. Diagnostic approaches such as electrocardiography, echocardiography, and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging play crucial roles in the early detection and monitoring of cardiac involvement. Enzyme replacement therapy (ERT) and emerging treatments have shown promise in managing FD, although challenges remain. Conclusions: FD remains a challenging condition in cardiology, with under-diagnosis being a concern. Early detection and specific therapy are essential to improve patient outcomes. Echocardiography and cardiac MRI are valuable tools for diagnosis and follow-up. Despite the advances in treatment, accessibility remains an issue. More research is needed to deepen our understanding of FD and to improve therapeutic strategies.

Mechanical Complications after Myocardial Infarction: A Comprehensive Review

Mechanical complications of myocardial infarction are potentially fatal events that can occur after an acute myocardial infarction. While the introduction of primary percutaneous reperfusion and fibrinolysis has reduced the incidence of these complications to less than 1%. These complications pose significant hemodynamic consequences and necessitate prompt diagnosis. Echocardiography, cardiac magnetic resonance imaging, and computed tomography are valuable tools for establishing an accurate and expedited diagnosis. Consequently, it is imperative to conduct further scientific research to enhance hemodynamic stabilization techniques such as intra-aortic balloon counterpulsation and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, in addition to exploring new surgical procedures that can reduce mortality resulting from mechanical complications. This article aims to provide a comprehensive review of mechanical complications following myocardial infarction and their correlation with multi-imaging, facilitating a better understanding of these complications.

Long Term Follow-Up of Cardiotoxicity in Breast Cancer Treatment: A Case Report

Background: Cardiac toxicity is currently defined as a symptomatic decrease in Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction (LVEF) of more than 5% or an asymptomatic decrease of at least 10% to a value of under 50% in repeated evaluations on conventional transthoracic echocardiogram (TTE), as well as a Global Longitudinal Strain (GLS) value Aims: To highlight using GLS rather than modified Simpson 2D-LVEF for the evaluation of long-term cardiotoxicity. Case Presentation: The case concerns a 73-year-old female patient with a history of breast cancer chemotherapy and anthracyclines-based therapy who presented symptoms of late cardiac toxicity related to the chemotherapeutic treatment. In the following years, the patient remained asymptomatic with a 2D-LVEF of 48%, dilation of the left atrium was found, and the reservoir phase strain was severely decreased. Conclusion: The preferred method for evaluating cardiovascular complications associated with chemotherapy is the TTE, which is performed prior to the start of treatment, during therapy, and in the follow-up. Myocardial deformation as a predictor of cardiotoxicity allows the identification of subclinical heart failure.

Multidisciplinary and evidence-based management of fistulizing perianal Crohn's disease

Perianal symptoms are common in patients with Crohn's disease and cause considerable morbidity. The etiology of these symptoms include skin tags, ulcers, fissures, abscesses, fistulas or stenoses. Fistula is the most common perianal manifestation. Multiple treatment options exist although very few are evidence-based. The phases of treatment include: drainage of infection, assessment of Crohn's disease status and fistula tracts, medical therapy, and selective operative management. The impact of biological therapy on perianal Crohn's disease is uncertain given that outcomes are conflicting. Operative treatment to eradicate the fistula tract can be attempted once infection has resolved and Crohn's disease activity is controlled. The operative approach should be tailored according to the anatomy of the fistula tract. Definitive treatment is challenging with medical and operative treatment rarely leading to true healing with frequent complications and recurrence. Treatment success must be weighed against the risk of complications, specially anal sphincter injury. A full understanding of the etiology and all potential therapeutic options is critical for success. Multidisciplinary management of fistulizing perianal Crohn's disease is crucial toimprove outcomes.

Multi-Image Studies of Atypical Location of Ventricular Aneurysms and Survival: Clinical Cases Series

Background: A left ventricular aneurysm is a mechanical complication of a myocardial infarction that frequently develops on the anterior and apical wall. Survival of 3 to 5 years is 27% and 12%, respectively. Our objective is to report 3 cases of ventricular aneurysms in atypical locations and analyze the survival of these patients. Material and Methods: Three patients with suspicion of ventricular aneurysm after acute myocardial infarction who sought?attention at our institution were included. All underwent transthoracic echocardiograms (TTE), cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR), nuclear cardiology (NC),?coronary angiotomography and cardiac catheterization to assess the location and characteristics of the aneurysms, left ventricular systolic function and the?anatomical and functional condition of the coronary arteries. Results: The mean age of studied patients was 58.33 ± 10.37 years. The locations of the ventricular aneurysms were lateral, inferior and septal. The patients received optimal medical treatment to control heart failure and were discharged in stable condition without early mortality. The mean follow-up was 6.33 years (intervals: 2 - 9) and during this period the patients were in NYHA functional class I/II. Conclusion: Left ventricular aneurysm is a late mechanical complication of an infarction that can develop in an atypical location. Diagnosis is achieved using non-invasive techniques such as TTE, CMR, NC, and coronary angiotomography. No mortality occurred among the patients during medium and long-term follow-up.

Congenitally Corrected Transposition of the Great Arteries: Conduction Anomalies: A Case Report

Introduction: Congenitally corrected transposition of the great arteries (CCTGA) is a rare heart disease that encompasses an atrioventricular and ventriculoarterial discordance and accounts for less than 1 percent of congenital heart diseases. Objective: To present an atypical case of a man with complex congenital heart disease and conduction anomalies. Case Presentation: This is a case of a 34-year-old patient who came to the hospital with 1 week of dyspnea on exertion and episodes of lipothymia. The patient was referred to our hospital after an electrocardiogram from his primary care with evidence of blocked atrial fibrillation. During the initial evaluation blocked atrial fibrillation was confirmed with a rescue ventricular rate of 38 bpm. A magnetic resonance confirmed the presence of the atrioventricular and ventriculoarterial discordance, the aorta had a left anterior position, perimembranous ventricular septal defect with a right to left shunt, biventricular systolic dysfunction, moderate tricuspid, and mitral regurgitation, interventricular septal intramyocardial and biatrial fibrosis, left atrial dilation, and dilation of the pulmonary artery. After pacemaker placement, the patient has an improvement in his clinical symptoms and quality of life. Conclusions: Cardiac arrhythmias are CCTGA’s leading cause of death, mostly ventricular tachycardia, and atrial fibrillation. Right bundle branch block is a previously unreported and potentially very rare presentation of this disease. This, added to the fact that our patient was diagnosed at an advanced age, but without symptoms of heart failure, makes him an atypical case of CCTGA, with new potential treatment options.

Natural History of a Transitional Atrioventricular Septal Defect in an Adult Patient with Down Syndrome

Background: Atrioventricular septal defects (AVSD) are caused by a lack of development in atrioventricular endocardial cushions. Its spectrum varies from partial to transitional, or intermediate forms with a common AV valve and 2 orifices, or even the complete form. Aim: The aim of this study is to present a case of a woman in the fifth decade of life with Down syndrome and a transitional AVSD, diagnosed with echocardiography. Case presentation: This is a patient in the fifth decade of life with Down syndrome, transitional AVSD, and severe pulmonary hypertension. Her vital signs were normal, oxygen saturation of 89% on room air. Auscultation revealed pronounced pulmonary component of the second heart sound, diastolic murmur in second left intercostal space, and moderate holosystolic heart murmur that radiated to axilla. The diagnosis was made with a transthoracic echocardiogram. The patient is receiving only medical treatment and since her last consult she has New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional class II. Conclusion: This case demonstrates the natural history of a patient in her fifth decade of life with down syndrome and complex congenital heart disease, despite having received only medical treatment, she is in functional class II. Echocardiography is the noninvasive technique of choice in the diagnosis and follow-up of patients with congenital heart diseases, as seen in this case.

An Unusual Presentation of Aortic Dissection and Aneurysmatic Disease in Marfan Syndrome: A Case Report

Marfan’s syndrome (MFS) is an autosomal dominant disorder characterized by aortic root dilation, mitral valve prolapse and aortic regurgitation. The typical aneurysm location involves the thoracic aorta (60%). Thoracoabdominal aortic dissections are quite infrequent (10%). A type A aortic dissection can have fatal complications, such as aortic rupture and cardiac tamponade, and a prompt diagnosis is crucial. The present case involves a 46-year-old patient with Marfan’s syndrome who was admitted to the emergency department for dyspnea. The patient presented congestive signs and manifestations suggesting acute heart failure. An initial transthoracic echocardiogram (TTE) showed ventricular hypertrophy and diastolic dysfunction. Additionally, TTE showed plurivalvular regurgitation, pulmonary hypertension (42 mmHg), aortic dilatation, and a dissection flap. Coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) was performed, confirming the suspicion of ascending aortic dissection. The patient underwent a three-stage intervention for the repair of all the defects, with adequate recovery. This was a rare presentation of aortic dissection in MFS, which was a diagnostic challenge for the heart team.