371. Case Report: The Curious Case of Obstructive Cardiogenic Shock – Maine Medical Center
May 14, 2024
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CardioNerds discuss a case of obstructive cardiogenic shock in a 42-year-old woman with Tetralogy of Fallot repair. They highlight lactic acidosis, kidney injury, NT-proBNP elevation, and moderate biventricular dysfunction. The patient had right heart catheterization showing elevated pressures and low cardiac index. Intracardiac echocardiography revealed a large mass within the valve apparatus, prompting further evaluation and management.
Complex cardiac cases require a multidisciplinary approach for accurate diagnosis and management.
Cardiogenic shock may be caused by obstructive lesions requiring timely interventions for patient stability.
Hands-on experience, academic tracks, and diverse opportunities enhance cardiology fellowship programs.
Thorough evaluation, including repeat catheterization, is crucial for successful resolution of complex cardiac conditions.
Deep dives
Introduction of Podcast Episode
The podcast episode introduces a case of a 43-year-old female with a history of tetralogy of Fallot repair presenting with dyspnea and severe lower extremity swelling. The case was discussed by a team from Maine Medical Center.
Initial Evaluation and Surgical History
The patient's surgical history included a left-sided lilliput thomas tossing shunt in infancy, RVOT transannular patch repair, RVOT homograph placement in her teenage years, and a recent pulmonary valve replacement due to graft failure. On examination, the patient presented with hypotension, lower extremity edema, and cool extremities.
Physical Examination and Laboratory Findings
The patient exhibited signs of low cardiac output, including jugular venous distension and pitting edema. Laboratory workup revealed elevated lactate, hyponatremia, hyperkalemia, acute kidney injury, and liver injury, indicating a low output state and possible cardiogenic shock, leading to admission to the cardiac intensive care unit.
Rationale for Cardiogenic Shock Diagnosis
The team considered the patient's complex surgical history and clinical presentation to diagnose cardiogenic shock. Despite initially unclear echocardiographic findings, the gradient across the right ventricular outflow tract indicated severe obstruction. The decision to admit to the cardiac intensive care unit was crucial for further evaluation and management.
Interventions and Resolution
Balloon valvuloplasty was performed in the cath lab to alleviate the obstruction and improve hemodynamics, leading to a significant improvement in the patient's condition. Subsequent interventions included a repeat right heart catheterization, which confirmed the resolution of the obstruction. Despite concerns for endocarditis, appropriate interventions were undertaken to address the critical condition.
Follow-up and Secondary Presentation
The patient presented again with similar symptoms of dizziness and hypotension, requiring further evaluation and interventions. Repeat catheterization and interventions were performed to address residual obstruction, leading to a successful resolution and patient recovery, eventually resulting in stable discharge.
Program Director's Insight on the Podcast
Dr. Maxwell Afari, the Cardiology Fellowship Program Director at Maine Medical Center, discussed the unique aspects of their fellowship program. He highlighted the hands-on experience, academic tracks, international rotation opportunities, rural cardiology exposure, and the diverse cohort of fellows. Dr. Afari also welcomed inquiries about the program.
Conclusion of Podcast Episode
The podcast episode featured discussions by healthcare professionals from Maine Medical Center, focusing on a complex case of congenital heart disease and cardiogenic shock. The detailed evaluation, interventions, and successful outcomes highlighted the collaborative and multidisciplinary approach to managing such challenging cases.
CardioNerds Dr. Josh Saef and Dr. Tommy Das join Dr. Omkar Betageri, Dr. Andrew Geissler, Dr. Philip Lacombe, and Dr. Cashel O’Brien from the Maine Medical Center in Portland, Maine to enjoy an afternoon by the famous Portland headlight. They discuss a case of a patient who presents with obstructive cardiogenic shock. Dr. Bram Geller and Dr. Jon Donnelly provide the Expert CardioNerd Perspectives & Review segment for this episode. Dr. Maxwell Afari, the Maine Medical Center cardiology fellowship program director highlights the fellowship program. Audio editing by CardioNerds Academy Intern, student doctor Tina Reddy.
This is the case of a 42 year-old woman born with complicated Tetralogy of Fallot repair culminating in a 29mm Edwards Sapiens (ES) S3 valve placement within a pulmonary homograft for graft failure who was admitted to the cardiac ICU for progressive cardiogenic shock requiring vasopressors and inotropic support. Initial workup showed lactic acidosis, acute kidney injury, elevated NT-proBNP, and negative blood cultures. TTE showed at least moderate biventricular systolic dysfunction. She was placed on furosemide infusion, blood cultures were drawn and empiric antibiotics initiated. Right heart catheterization demonstrated elevated right sided filling pressures, blunted PA pressures with low PCWP, low cardiac index, and low pulmonary artery pulsatility index. Intracardiac echocardiography (ICE) showed a large mass within the ES valve apparatus causing restrictive valve motion with a low gradient across the pulmonic valve in the setting of poor RV function. Angiography revealed a large filling defect and balloon valvuloplasty was performed with immediate hemodynamic improvement. Blood cultures remained negative, she was gradually weaned off of inotropic and vasopressor support, and discharged. Despite empiric treatment for culture negative endocarditis and ongoing anticoagulation, she was readmitted for recurrent shock one month later at which time the pulmonic mass was revisualized on ICE. A valve-in-valve transcatheter pulmonary valve (29mm ES S3) was placed to compress what was likely pannus, with an excellent hemodynamic result and no visible mass on ICE.
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Case Media
Pearls - Obstructive Cardiogenic ShocK
Tetralogy of Fallot is the most common cyanotic defect and can lead to long term complications after surgical repair including chronic pulmonary insufficiency, RV dysfunction, residual RVOT obstruction and branch pulmonary artery stenoses.
Chronic RV failure may be more indicative of a structural defect and therefore require interventional or surgical management.
Valve thrombosis, infective endocarditis and obstructive pannus formation should be considered in the differential of a patient with obstructive shock with a prosthetic valve.
Bioprosthetic pulmonic valve obstruction may be effectively managed with balloon valvuloplasty in patients who present in acute extremis but TCPV will likely provide a more lasting result.
While valvular gradients are typically assessed via echocardiography, invasive hemodynamics can serve as a critical adjunctive tool in its characterization.
Show Notes - Obstructive Cardiogenic ShocK
Notes were drafted by Drs. Omkar Betageri, Philip Lacombe, Cashel O’Brien, and Andrew Geissler.
What are the common therapies and management for Tetralogy of Fallot?
Tetralogy of Fallot is the most common cyanotic defect in children beyond the age of one year
Anatomic Abnormalities: Anterior and Superior deviation of the conal septum creating a SubAo VSD and encroachment on the RVOT.
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