Kounis syndrome (KS) is a rare syndrome characterized by the co-occurrence of acute coronary syndromes in the setting of mast cell and platelet activation in response to hypersensitivity reactions. It can be manifested as coronary vasospasms, acute myocardial infarction, or stent thrombosis triggered by drugs, vaccines, foods, coronary stents, and insect bites. It is a life-threatening condition that needs to be adequately recognized for early diagnosis and appropriate treatment. In this case report, we present a 71-year-old patient with a history of arterial hypertension and non-ST elevation myocardial infarction six months earlier that was treated percutaneously with angioplasty plus stent implantation in the circumflex artery, who subsequently presented to the emergency department due to generalized itching associated with tongue swelling, dyspnea, and chest pain after ingestion of ciprofloxacin for the treatment of a urogenital infection. An electrocardiogram showed ST elevation in II, III, and aVF leads, and positive troponin; thus, a coronary arteriography was performed that showed complete thrombotic stent occlusion in the circumflex artery. Consequently, diagnosis of type 4b inferolateral acute myocardial infarction secondary to ciprofloxacin-triggered type III Kounis syndrome was made. The aim of this report is to understand the relationship between the allergic reaction to ciprofloxacin and the acute coronary syndrome, and to create awareness of the importance of early diagnosis and treatment of this potentially fatal syndrome.

Coronary embolism (CE) is a rare cause of non-atherosclerotic acute coronary syndrome (ACS). The clinical presentation is similar to ACS, and the diagnosis is supported by Shibata criteria. Atrial fibrillation is the main reported etiology in CE cases. Management includes percutaneous intervention with thromboaspiration and anticoagulation. The following case is a description of a patient with acute chest pain and recently diagnosed atrial fibrillation with a rapid ventricular response, is described. A thrombotic lesion in the distal right coronary artery of embolic origin, was documented. Successful mechanical thromboaspiration was performed; intravascular ultrasound showed no thrombus, dissection, or atherosclerotic plaque. CE is an underdiagnosed cause of ACS; diagnosis relies on Shibata criteria, and patients experience worse outcomes in follow-up.

A 35-year-old female presented to our emergency department with clinical signs of acute heart failure. Clinical workup identified severe right heart (RH) dilation and dysfunction with a crossing membrane structure in the right atrium. Right heart catheterization confirmed high output heart failure (HOHF), pulmonary hypertension (PH), and left-to-right blood shunting followed by the documentation of multiple liver and pulmonary arteriovenous malformations (AVMs). Hereditary Hemorrhagic Telangiectasia (HHT) diagnosis was made according to clinical criteria and was established as the cause of HOHF because of chronic volume overload from systemic to pulmonary shunts. With this illustrative case, we aim to discuss the broad spectrum of clinical manifestations of HHT and the unusual phenotype of HOHF secondary to HHT. This case also highlights the broad diagnosis of atrial echocardiographic abnormalities and cardiac structural distortion secondary to high output that can be misleading at imaging evaluation.

Acute coronary syndrome (ACS) is a rare complication of infectious endocarditis (IE). We present the case of a patient with a bicuspid aortic valve who presented an acute ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) of the inferior wall secondary to vegetation that generated obstruction of the ostium of the right coronary artery (RCA). A 54-year-old patient with only a history of smoking was admitted for chest pain. An acute ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) in the inferior wall was documented; he underwent an emergent coronary angiography, which showed a mass that obstructed the ostium of the right coronary artery that did not allow its channeling. An angiotomography of the aorta was performed, where dissection was ruled out and the presence of a mass in the right coronary sinus that protruded towards the ostium of the coronary artery was confirmed. In the extension studies, a bicuspid aortic valve, thrombosis in the right brachial artery and in the infrarenal abdominal aorta were documented. The case was taken to a medical meeting and given the embolic and mechanical compromise; it was decided to perform surgery where a mass that invaded the proximal segment of the right coronary artery was resected. The histopathological study documented findings of vegetation; the cultures were positive for Staphylococcus epidermidis, and he finally received antibiotic and anticoagulation treatment.

Objetivo. Diversos estudios han demostrado la asociación entre la fragilidad y peores desenlaces en pacientes con síndrome coronario agudo (SCA); sin embargo, hay una falta de evidencia en Colombia. Este estudio tiene como objetivo evaluar la asociación entre la fragilidad y el riesgo de desenlaces adversos en pacientes mayores de 65 años diagnosticados con SCA. Materiales y métodos. Se realizó una cohorte prospectiva que incluyó a pacientes mayores de 65 años con indicación de arteriografía coronaria debido a diagnóstico de SCA en un hospital de Medellín, Colombia. La fragilidad se evaluó mediante la escala FRAIL. El desenlace primario fue la mortalidad por cualquier causa a los 30 días. Los desenlaces secundarios incluyeron: duración de la estancia hospitalaria y un desenlace compuesto de muerte intrahospitalaria o a los 30 días; nefropatía inducida por contraste (NIC); insuficiencia cardiaca aguda; choque cardiogénico; complicaciones hemorrágicas, y complicaciones vasculares. Resultados. Se incluyeron 112 pacientes. Los pacientes frágiles (n=35, 31,3%) fueron de mayor edad, con un estrato socioeconómico más bajo, un puntaje GRACE más alto y un mayor número de vasos comprometidos en la arteriografía. Se observó una asociación significativa entre la fragilidad y la mortalidad a 30 días (riesgo relativo [RR] 19,00, IC 95%: 5,04-72,61; p<0,001), el desenlace compuesto (RR 4,57, IC 95%: 2,56-8,34; p<0,001), y una mayor estancia hospitalaria (9 días vs. 5 días en el grupo no frágil). Conclusiones. Un número considerable de pacientes mayores de 65 años con SCA eran frágiles. La fragilidad se asoció con desenlaces adversos intrahospitalarios y a 30 días.

Masquerading bundle branch block (MBBB) is a rare presentation of bifascicular blocks. It is the result of a right bundle branch block associated with an advanced left anterior fascicular block due to extensive damage to the conduction system. We present the case of a 75-year-old male with late onset presentation anterior wall myocardial infarction (MI) with ongoing ischemia (which evolved into a ventricular septal defect [VSD]). Electrocardiographically, the MBBB is characterized by a prominent R in V1, left axis deviation and absence of small S waves in I and aVL. Its presence confers a poor prognosis and high risk of progressing to advanced atrioventricular block (AAVB). A mortality rate between 18% and 38.9% has been found and 41.4%–59% of the patients develop AAVB requiring pacemaker implantation. To our knowledge, this is the first reported MBBB case in the setting of an MI complicated with VSD, demonstrating its association with the presence of critical anteroseptal ischemia. The patient rejected any kind of intervention, palliative care was offered, and he died 2 months later.