Cherian Verghese - Academia.edu (original) (raw)

Uploads

Papers by Cherian Verghese

The Journal of the Louisiana State Medical Society : official organ of the Louisiana State Medical Society

American Journal of Therapeutics, 2014

Evan syndrome (ES) is a rare hematological disorder that involves 2 or more immune cytopenias. It... more Evan syndrome (ES) is a rare hematological disorder that involves 2 or more immune cytopenias. It usually includes autoimmune hemolytic anemia and autoimmune thrombocytopenia. Although occasionally associated with immune neutropenia, its association with disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) is rare. And, early diagnosis with appropriate intervention is important because mortality from ES is known to be greater than that of isolated immune hemolytic anemia and probably worse in the presence of DIC. Considering that the presence of DIC can make the diagnosis of ES challenging, a strong clinical suspicion is important as early initiation of therapy is critical to reducing the morbidity and mortality associated with this syndrome. We report a case of ES complicated by DIC.

International Medical Case Reports Journal, 2014

Myocardial infarction (MI) due to coronary atherosclerosis in young adults is uncommon; rare caus... more Myocardial infarction (MI) due to coronary atherosclerosis in young adults is uncommon; rare causes such as cocaine abuse, arterial dissection, and thromboembolism should be considered. A 21-year-old football player, and otherwise healthy African American man, developed chest pain during exercise while bench-pressing 400 lbs. Acute MI was diagnosed based on physical examination, electrocardiography findings, and elevated cardiac enzymes. Coronary arteriography showed a thrombus occluding the proximal left anterior descending artery (LAD). Aggressive antiplatelet therapy with aspirin, clopidogrel, and eptifibatide was pursued, in addition to standard post-MI care. This led to the successful resolution of symptoms and dissolution of the thrombus, demonstrated by repeat coronary arteriography. Five months later, he presented with similar symptoms during exercise after lifting heavy weights, and was found to have another acute MI. Coronary arteriography again showed a thrombus occluding the LAD. No evidence of coronary artery dissection or vasospasm was found. Only mild atherosclerotic plaque burden was observed on both occasions by intravascular ultrasound. A bare metal stent was placed at the site as it was thought this site had acted as a nidus for small plaque rupture and thrombus formation. Elevated serum factor VIII activity at 205% (reference range 60%-140%) was found, a rare cause of hypercoagulability. Further workup revealed a patent foramen ovale during a Valsalva maneuver by transesophageal echocardiography. Both events occurred during weight lifting, which can transiently increase right heart pressure in a similar way to the Valsalva maneuver. In light of all the findings, we concluded that an exercise-related increase in factor VIII activity led to coronary arterial thrombosis in the presence of a small ruptured plaque. Alternatively, venous clots may have traversed the patent foramen ovale and occluded the LAD. In addition to continuing aggressive risk factor modification, anticoagulation therapy with warfarin was initiated with close follow-up.

American Journal of Therapeutics, 2004

Highly active antiretroviral therapy is effective in the management of AIDS. It has improved the ... more Highly active antiretroviral therapy is effective in the management of AIDS. It has improved the prognosis of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. However, with increased survival, adverse effects from medications used in HIV treatment have become more apparent. Cardiac complications from HIV infection include arrhythmias, heart failure, and coronary artery disease. Heart failure in HIV disease may be related to the virus itself or to noninfectious reasons. The association of HIV medications with heart failure is controversial as patients with HIV disease often have multiple risk factors for developing heart failure. We present a case of acute onset heart failure in a patient with HIV, coronary artery disease, and hypertension who was recently started on antiretroviral therapy. There was complete resolution of heart failure after cessation of HIV medications. This case highlights the need to consider HIV medications as a cause of deterioration in cardiac function, even in the presence of other well-established risk factors for heart failure.

Annals of Noninvasive Electrocardiology, 2004

The Journal of the Louisiana State Medical Society : official organ of the Louisiana State Medical Society

American Journal of Therapeutics, 2014

Evan syndrome (ES) is a rare hematological disorder that involves 2 or more immune cytopenias. It... more Evan syndrome (ES) is a rare hematological disorder that involves 2 or more immune cytopenias. It usually includes autoimmune hemolytic anemia and autoimmune thrombocytopenia. Although occasionally associated with immune neutropenia, its association with disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) is rare. And, early diagnosis with appropriate intervention is important because mortality from ES is known to be greater than that of isolated immune hemolytic anemia and probably worse in the presence of DIC. Considering that the presence of DIC can make the diagnosis of ES challenging, a strong clinical suspicion is important as early initiation of therapy is critical to reducing the morbidity and mortality associated with this syndrome. We report a case of ES complicated by DIC.

International Medical Case Reports Journal, 2014

Myocardial infarction (MI) due to coronary atherosclerosis in young adults is uncommon; rare caus... more Myocardial infarction (MI) due to coronary atherosclerosis in young adults is uncommon; rare causes such as cocaine abuse, arterial dissection, and thromboembolism should be considered. A 21-year-old football player, and otherwise healthy African American man, developed chest pain during exercise while bench-pressing 400 lbs. Acute MI was diagnosed based on physical examination, electrocardiography findings, and elevated cardiac enzymes. Coronary arteriography showed a thrombus occluding the proximal left anterior descending artery (LAD). Aggressive antiplatelet therapy with aspirin, clopidogrel, and eptifibatide was pursued, in addition to standard post-MI care. This led to the successful resolution of symptoms and dissolution of the thrombus, demonstrated by repeat coronary arteriography. Five months later, he presented with similar symptoms during exercise after lifting heavy weights, and was found to have another acute MI. Coronary arteriography again showed a thrombus occluding the LAD. No evidence of coronary artery dissection or vasospasm was found. Only mild atherosclerotic plaque burden was observed on both occasions by intravascular ultrasound. A bare metal stent was placed at the site as it was thought this site had acted as a nidus for small plaque rupture and thrombus formation. Elevated serum factor VIII activity at 205% (reference range 60%-140%) was found, a rare cause of hypercoagulability. Further workup revealed a patent foramen ovale during a Valsalva maneuver by transesophageal echocardiography. Both events occurred during weight lifting, which can transiently increase right heart pressure in a similar way to the Valsalva maneuver. In light of all the findings, we concluded that an exercise-related increase in factor VIII activity led to coronary arterial thrombosis in the presence of a small ruptured plaque. Alternatively, venous clots may have traversed the patent foramen ovale and occluded the LAD. In addition to continuing aggressive risk factor modification, anticoagulation therapy with warfarin was initiated with close follow-up.

American Journal of Therapeutics, 2004

Highly active antiretroviral therapy is effective in the management of AIDS. It has improved the ... more Highly active antiretroviral therapy is effective in the management of AIDS. It has improved the prognosis of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. However, with increased survival, adverse effects from medications used in HIV treatment have become more apparent. Cardiac complications from HIV infection include arrhythmias, heart failure, and coronary artery disease. Heart failure in HIV disease may be related to the virus itself or to noninfectious reasons. The association of HIV medications with heart failure is controversial as patients with HIV disease often have multiple risk factors for developing heart failure. We present a case of acute onset heart failure in a patient with HIV, coronary artery disease, and hypertension who was recently started on antiretroviral therapy. There was complete resolution of heart failure after cessation of HIV medications. This case highlights the need to consider HIV medications as a cause of deterioration in cardiac function, even in the presence of other well-established risk factors for heart failure.

Annals of Noninvasive Electrocardiology, 2004