Development of dilated cardiomyopathy with a long latent period followed by viral fulminant myocarditis:A case report

BACKGROUND The clinical course of acute myocarditis ranges from the occurrence of a few symptoms to the development of fatal fulminant myocarditis.Specifically,fulminant myocarditis causes clinical deterioration very rapidly and aggressively.The long-term prognosis of myocarditis is varied,and it fully recovers without leaving any special complications.However,even after recovery,heart failure may occur and eventually progress to dilated cardiomyopathy(DCM),which causes serious left ventricular dysfunction.In the case of follow-up observation,no clear guidelines have been established.CASE SUMMARY We report the case of a 21-year-old woman who presented with dyspnea.She became hemodynamically unstable and showed sustained fatal arrhythmias with decreased heart function.She was clinically diagnosed with fulminant myocarditis based on her echocardiogram and cardiac magnetic resonance results.After 2 d,she was readmitted to the emergency department under cardiopulmonary resuscitation and received mechanical ventilation and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation.An implantable cardioverter defibrillator was inserted for secondary prevention.She recovered and was discharged.Prior to being hospitalized for sudden cardiac function decline and arrhythmia,she had been well for 7 years without any complications.She was finally diagnosed with dilated cardiomyopathy.CONCLUSION DCM may develop unexpectedly in patients who have been cured of acute fulminant myocarditis and have been stable with a long period of remission.Therefore,they should be carefully and regularly observed clinically throughout long-term follow-up.

Anderson-Fabry disease presenting with atrial fibrillation as earlier sign in a young patient:A case report

BACKGROUND Anderson-Fabry disease(AFD)is an X-linked lysosomal storage disorder that results from a deficiency ofα-galactosidase A enzyme activity in which glycosphingolipids gradually accumulate in multi-organ systems.Cardiac manifestations are the leading cause of mortality in patients with AFD.Among them,arrhythmias comprise a large portion of the heart disease cases in AFD,most of which are characterized by conduction disorders.However,atrial fibrillation as a presenting sign at the young age group diagnosed with AFD is uncommon.CASE SUMMARY We report a case of a 26-year-old man who was admitted with chest discomfort.Left ventricular hypertrophy was fulfilled in the criteria by the Sokolow-Lyon index and atrial fibrillation on the 12 Leads-electrocardiography(ECG)that was documented in the emergency room.After spontaneously restored to normal sinus rhythm,relationships between P and R waves,including a shorter PR interval on the ECG,were revealed.The echocardiographic findings showed thickened interventricular septal and left posterior ventricular walls.Based on the clues mentioned earlier,we realized the possibility of AFD.Additionally,we noticed the associated symptoms and signs,including bilateral mild hearing loss,neuropathic pain,anhidrosis,and angiokeratoma on the trunk and hands.He was finally diagnosed with classical AFD,which was confirmed by the gene mutation and abnormal enzyme activity ofα-galactosidase A.CONCLUSION This case is a rare case of AFD as a presentation with atrial fibrillation at a young age.Confirming the relationship between P and Q waves on the ECG through sinus rhythm conversion may help in differential diagnosis of the cause of atrial fibrillation and hypertrophic myocardium.

Successful Treatment of Kounis Syndrome Type I Presenting as Cardiac Arrest with ST Elevation

To the Editor： Kounis syndrome describes a group of symptoms that manifest as unstable vasospastic or nonvasospastic angina or as acute myocardial infarction. It is triggered by the release of inflammatory mediators after an allergic reaction.