Takotsubo syndrome (TTS) typically presents like an acute coronary syndrome and is commonly associated with acute physical and/or emotional stress. TTS is characterized by transient moderate to severe left ventricular (LV) dysfunction in the absence of obstructive coronary artery disease (CAD). Excessive beta adrenergic stimulation remains the most widely accepted theory to account for development of TTS. Importantly a variety of commonly used pharmacologic agents which enhance catecholaminergic...

First-degree AV block, though considered benign, has been reported to be associated with an increased risk for atrial fibrillation, permanent pacing, heart failure and allcause mortality. It is possible that the extent of PR prolongation indicates the severity of adverse outcome. This study investigated whether the length of PR and its change with heart rate can predict the need for permanent pacing. We retrospectively studied 21 patients with a PR over 270 ms. Nine patients underwent permanent ...

Rivaroxaban is a direct oral anticoagulant with a favorable safety profile when compared to warfarin in respect to bleeding. During post-marketing surveillance, intracranial and retroperitoneal bleedings have been reported; however, hemopericardium has not been frequently described. In this case series, we present three cases of spontaneous hemopericardium where rivaroxaban was thought to be the causative agent. Predisposing factors for rivaroxaban induced hemopericardium might include impaired ...