Publications by authors named "Muhammad Ghallab"

Sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) is a leading cause of mortality in young individuals, often linked to structural heart disease or primary electrical disorders. However, in some cases, the etiology remains unidentified despite extensive diagnostic efforts. This case report describes a 23-year-old male with a family history of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) who experienced a sudden cardiac arrest without prior symptoms and had negative genetic testing.

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Recurrent deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a common complication, particularly in cancer patients. We present a case of a 50-year-old male with a history of a previous DVT. Despite therapeutic anticoagulation with apixaban, the patient developed recurrent DVT involving the common femoral, popliteal, and foreleg veins.

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Non-cardiogenic pulmonary edema (NCPE) is a rare but serious complication of heroin overdose, more frequently observed in fatal cases. This report discusses a 33-year-old male patient with a history of hypertension and heroin use disorder who presented with dyspnea and hypoxia. Upon examination, his vital signs indicated an SpO of 82% on room air, along with tachycardia and tachypnea.

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Hypercalcemia is a common metabolic complication associated with malignancies, particularly in solid tumors, such as lung and breast cancers. However, its occurrence in hematologic malignancies, including diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), is rare. The pathophysiology of hypercalcemia in lymphomas is often related to the secretion of parathyroid hormone (PTH)-related peptide (PTHrP).

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Pneumocephalus is a rare but potentially serious complication of spinal procedures, characterized by the presence of intracranial air. This report presents the case of a 40-year-old female who developed pneumocephalus following a lumbar epidural steroid injection. She presented to the emergency department with a persistent headache, blurred vision, and eye pain, which began shortly after the procedure.

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Article Synopsis
  • Pulmonary embolism (PE) is a serious health concern in the U.S. with high death rates, leading clinicians to suspect it frequently.
  • A 46-year-old woman, despite low risk indicators (Wells score and D-dimer), underwent unnecessary CTPA after showing PE symptoms from a long road trip.
  • The case emphasizes the need to follow established guidelines for diagnosing PE to avoid unnecessary and harmful procedures.
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This case report highlights the atypical presentation of coronary artery vasospasm in a 59-year-old patient presenting with syncope due to ventricular arrhythmia. Despite initially elevated troponin levels and non-significant lesions observed during left heart catheterization, the patient experienced recurrent chest pain and dizziness, prompting further evaluation. Ultimately, coronary vasospasm was identified as the likely differential diagnosis, supported by various diagnostic modalities including electrocardiogram, Zio patch monitoring, transthoracic echocardiogram, cardiac MRI, and CT angiography.

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Article Synopsis
  • - Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) includes a range of liver conditions without heavy alcohol use and can lead to serious issues like cirrhosis; the study aimed to explore its connection to carotid intimal media thickness (C-IMT), a marker for heart disease.
  • - A comprehensive review of existing studies indicated no significant C-IMT differences for mild to moderate NAFLD when compared to controls, but severe NAFLD did show a notable difference, particularly in those with or without metabolic syndrome.
  • - The findings highlight a significant link between NAFLD and increased C-IMT, suggesting the need for C-IMT assessments in NAFLD patients to gauge their cardiovascular
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This article provides a state-of-the-art review on landiolol, a medication that was recently submitted for 7 approvals. Focusing on its pharmacology, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacodynamics, the analysis underscores landiolol's unique attributes compared to conventional beta-blockers, particularly esmolol. As a sympatholytic agent, landiolol exhibits a short half-life, high cardioselectivity, and minimal impact on blood pressure, setting it apart in the realm of arrhythmia treatment.

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Background: Catheter laboratories are high-radiation exposure environments, especially during X-ray procedures like percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty and electrophysiological studies. Radiation exposure poses risks of stochastic (e.g.

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Article Synopsis
  • The study aimed to evaluate the link between non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and various cardiovascular issues, including angina and heart attacks.
  • A thorough review of existing research included 32 studies with over 5.6 million participants, finding that NAFLD significantly increases the risk of several cardiovascular problems.
  • The results highlight the need for better prevention and management strategies for NAFLD, even after considering traditional risk factors for heart disease.
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Congenital long QT syndrome is a cardiac disorder leading to arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death. We present a case of a 55-year-old woman with altered mental status experiencing cardiac arrest caused by congenital long QT syndrome, coincidentally found with complex lung infection. Genetic testing identified a pathogenic mutation in the gene.

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Article Synopsis
  • * The case series illustrates its impact through two cases: one highlighting thoracic aortic dissection and another revealing a right atrial thrombus, both leading to timely interventions.
  • * The text emphasizes the importance of thorough training for healthcare providers to utilize POCUS effectively and safely across various medical fields.
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Article Synopsis
  • BRASH syndrome is a new clinical condition characterized by bradycardia, renal failure, AV blockage, shock, and high potassium levels, complicating patient management.
  • This case study highlights a 56-year-old woman with significant health issues who exhibited atypical symptoms, including severe anemia and thyroid dysfunction, ultimately diagnosed with BRASH syndrome.
  • Successful treatment included managing high potassium levels, correcting thyroid issues, and utilizing renal therapies, emphasizing the need for increased awareness and further research on this syndrome for better patient outcomes.
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Pulmonary nodules are commonly encountered in medical practice, necessitating thorough evaluation due to their diverse etiologies. Identifying the underlying cause is of utmost importance, particularly in patients with a history of extrapulmonary cancer, to differentiate between metastasis and other etiologies. We present a rare case of a 24-year-old male with supraglottic squamous cancer who developed multiple pulmonary nodules, which surprisingly were caused by a rare infectious agent.

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Article Synopsis
  • The review focuses on the treatment of refractory pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), a condition that is difficult to manage, highlighting both existing and emerging therapeutic options.
  • A thorough literature search was conducted to gather information on approved and experimental treatments for high-risk PAH patients, ensuring a comprehensive understanding of the current landscape.
  • Experts suggest that using risk assessments to identify high-risk patients can improve survival rates through earlier and more aggressive treatment options, while new investigational drugs may offer innovative approaches to managing this challenging condition.
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This case report describes a patient with systemic sclerosis (SSc) who presented with a large pericardial effusion and a scleroderma renal crisis (SRC). The patient's clinical presentation, diagnostic workup, and treatment plans are reviewed. The coexistence of these complications presents a challenging clinical scenario requiring an interdisciplinary approach.

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Tracheal stenosis (TS) is an iatrogenic sequela after intubation or tracheostomy that is increasing despite technological improvement and skilled respiratory care in the ICU. According to the studies, the rate of TS varies from 10 to 22%, but only 1-2% of these stenoses are severe and present with inspiratory dyspnea that does not respond to medical management. Bronchoscopy is considered the most appropriate diagnostic test, and laser surgery and tracheobronchial stenting are the most commonly performed procedures for tracheal stenosis.

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This case report presents the clinical course of a 70-year-old female with a history of hypertension who developed sinus pauses following abdominal surgery, ultimately requiring the placement of a pacemaker. The patient initially presented with altered mental status preceded by abdominal pain, which progressed to confusion and obtundation. Examination revealed signs of toxicity, tachycardia, tachypnea, and a distended abdomen with absent bowel sounds.

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Kawasaki Disease (KD) is a self-limited acute vasculitis that mainly affects medium-sized arteries in childhood, with the coronary arteries being one of the main targets. A well-known complication is a coronary aneurysm with myocardial ischemia. We report the case of a 29-year-old female with an insignificant past medical history who presented with sudden cardiac arrest.

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Sarcoidosis is a multisystem disorder of unknown etiology commonly associated with hilar lymphadenopathy and granulomas. Cardiac involvement is less common; however, sarcoidosis is a known cause of restrictive cardiomyopathy. It typically presents as new-onset arrhythmias or heart failure, although cases of sudden cardiac death have been reported.

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Hemostatic system abnormalities have been previously associated with congestive heart failure (CHF). Here, we report a rare case of disseminated intravascular coagulopathy (DIC) in the setting of non-ischemic cardiomyopathy with right atrial and biventricular thrombus. We present a 55-year-old female with a past medical history of bronchial asthma who presented with a six-day history of bilateral leg swelling and dry cough.

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Article Synopsis
  • A 71-year-old female from Colombia visited the ER with a cough, fever, and chills, and had a baseline EKG showing a normal QT interval but other cardiac abnormalities.
  • After receiving azithromycin, she developed a dangerous heart rhythm called torsades de pointes (TdP), highlighting the risks of certain medications in patients with pre-existing conditions.
  • The case emphasizes the need for careful assessment of a patient's cardiac history before prescribing drugs that can affect heart rhythm, especially in those with multiple health issues.
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Takotsubo, or stress cardiomyopathy (SC), is described as a transient systolic dysfunction of the apical segments of the left ventricle mainly triggered by emotional or physical stress resembling the presentation of an acute coronary syndrome in the absence of obstructive coronary artery disease. Reverse Takotsubo SC is a rare variant of SC that presents with basal ballooning instead of apical ballooning seen in classic SC. We present a case of a 74-year-old male who was admitted to the ICU with septic shock.

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