Pericardial effusion (PE) can occur in inflammatory and infectious diseases; postoperatively, in pulmonary arterial hypertension, renal failure, as well as in malignant diseases that can affect the pericardium and manifest as a paraneoplastic syndrome (1). On the other hand, the presence of blood in the pericardial cavity – hemopericardium – is more commonly seen in aortic dissection, cardiac rupture, trauma, or after invasive procedures (2) and less frequently in malignant cardiac tumors. The late diagnosis of content in the pericardial cavity, often due to the absence of specific symptoms, can lead to delayed detection and preclude radical treatment in the case of tumors or neoplastic heart lesions. However, early diagnosis and tumor resection can significantly improve patients' condition and allow for life-extending chemotherapy (3). This case highlights the critical importance of early detection in pericardial effusion. The purpose of presenting this clinical case is to increase awareness and alertness among family doctors, therapists, cardiologists, cardiothoracic surgeons, and radiologists to exclude neoplastic involvement of the heart when hydro- or hemopericardium is detected.
Introduction. Patients with acute myocardial infarction should be treated with early revascularization. Patients over 73
years have a higher risk of infarct-related cardiogenic shock, which is a leading cause of lethality. Unfortunately, little
is known about myocardial revascularization care for elderly people in Ukraine. We presented a 92-year-old lady with
an acute chest pain case report, which was not revealed by analgesics.
Important clinical findings. Coronary angiography revealed thrombotic occlusion of the distal segment of the left anterior descending artery (LAD) and floated thrombus in LAD mid-segment; stenosis of the left circumflex artery (LCx) close to the first obtuse marginal artery (OM1).
The main diagnosis. Acute myocardial infarction with ST-segment elevation of the left ventricle anterior wall (anteriorSTEMI). Calcific aortic valve disease, severe aortic valve stenosis, significant mitral and tricuspid valve regurgitation,
pulmonary hypertension. Heart failure with reduced LVEF (<40%), NYHA class III symptoms.
Intervention. The decision was to perform urgent stenting in LAD and balloon angioplasty in LCx. Successful hospital discharge was after 14 days.
Conclusions. Take-away lessons: Elderly patients with acute myocardial infarction can be successfully treated in Ukraine. Age and comorbidities are not a contraindication for early myocardial revascularization.