Objective: The aim of the study was to assess the factors associated with increased mortality in patients with acute mesenteric ischemia, emphasizing the importance of an early diagnosis and a prompt surgical intervention in order to avoid lesion progression. Materials and method: A retrospective analytical study was conducted on a study population of 50 male and female patients with acute ischemia of the mesenteric arteries, aged between 36–92 years. Demographic and pathological history characteristics were assessed, together with presented symptoms, laboratory and CT findings, as well as surgical outcome and time-related aspects between presentation in the emergency department and time of surgery, as well as the hospitalization period until discharge or death. Results: Muscular defense (OR = 23.05) and shock (OR = 13.24) as symptoms were strongly associated with a poor prognosis, while elevated values of lactate dehydrogenase (p = 0.0440) and creatine kinase (p = 0.0025) were associated with higher death rates. The time elapsed during investigations in the emergency room was significantly higher in patients who deceased (p = 0.0023), similarly to the total time from the onset of symptoms to the beginning of surgery (p = 0.0032). Surgical outcomes showed that patients with segmental ischemia of the small bowel had significantly higher chances of survival (p <0.0001). Conclusion: Increased mortality rates in patients presenting in the emergency department for acute mesenteric ischemia were observed in patients with occlusion of the superior mesenteric artery, with higher levels of CK and LDH, as well as with longer periods of stay in the emergency department for diagnostic procedures until the commencement of the surgical intervention. Therefore, proper investigations in a timely manner followed by a specific and prompt surgical intervention may avoid unfavorable evolution of patients towards death.

Background: The inflammatory response of the immune system plays a major role in the period following an acute myocardial infarction (MI), as it coordinates the formation of the fibrous scar tissue that replaces the infarcted myocardial cells and ultimately leads to healing and remodeling of the affected zone. Along with other pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines and acute phase proteins, interleukin-6 (IL-6) and C-reactive protein (CRP) are associated with the extent of the infarct size (IS) and may serve as predictors for remodeling and adverse left ventricular (LV) function. Material and methods: A single-center, non-randomized, observational prospective study was conducted, which included 75 patients with primary revascularized ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). High-sensitivity CRP (hs-CRP) serum levels were determined on day 1 and day 5 following the acute event. IL-6 was also determined on day 1. All patients underwent cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR) at 1-month follow-up with determination of LV function and quantification of the scar tissue using late gadolinium enhancement imaging. The patients were divided into 2 groups based on baseline hs-CRP values. Results: Patients with higher baseline hs-CRP levels presented significantly higher infarct size (p = 0.0003), higher transmural extent (p <0.0001), lower LV ejection fraction (p = 0.0024), end-systolic (p = 0.0021) and end-diastolic (p = 0.0065) volumes. Small IS (<10%) recorded the lowest levels of hs-CRP, while IS >20% presented the highest levels of hs-CRP, at baseline and day 5 (p = 0.4 and 0.001). IL-6 levels were also associated with the magnitude of infarct scar: 2.17 pg/mL for IS <10%, 15.52 pg/mL for IS between 10% and 20%, and 24.52 pg/mL for IS >20%, p = 0.002. Conclusion: hs-CRP and IL-6 serum levels following an MI are correlated with IS, transmurality extent of the scar tissue, as well as with altered systolic and diastolic LV function determined by CMR at 1-month follow-up.

We describe the case of a 68-year-old patient who was admitted to the trauma unit with anisocoria after pre-hospital resuscitation upon loss of consciousness. An intracranial bleeding was ruled out. The patient was admitted to the cardiology ward with the initial diagnosis of a syncope due to myocarditis, as myocardial necrosis markers were slightly elevated. The suspicion of an acute aortic dissection (AAD) was raised when the patient developed kidney failure and a progressive aortic regurgitation. He underwent emergency surgery for an acute type A AAD. Renal function recovered completely and, fortunately, the patient was discharged 10 days la

MOVING IMAGE 1. Four-chamber view with concentric pericardial effusion

MOVING IMAGE 2. Subxiphoid view with concentric pericardial effusion

MOVING IMAGE 3. Five-chamber view with aortic regurgitation

Introduction: Cardiac fibroma is a rare benign tumor, although it is considered the second most frequent cardiac tumor in children. It is located in the ventricular myocardium, frequently in the interventricular septum. One third of the cases are asymptomatic, being discovered postmortem. Case presentation: A 10-year-old male child accused severe dyspnea a few minutes before its sudden death. Autopsy examination revealed hypertrophic cardiomegaly, the entire left ventricular wall being replaced by an enlarged tumor mass. On histopathological examination, the tumor was diagnosed as cardiac fibroma. Conclusions: Noninvasive examinations during childhood, such as cardiac ultrasound, increase the early detection of the tumors of the heart, decreasing the number of sudden death cases in young patients, especially children.