Severe Coronary Artery Spasm with Anaphylactoid Shock Caused by Contrast Medium

Kounis syndrome induced by contrast media: A case report and review of literature

Kounis syndrome (KS) is an acute coronary disorder associated with anaphylactic reactions. The purpose of this report is to identify the features of KS triggered by contrast media on the basis of our experience and from literature review.

We have described a case and literature review of KS triggered by injection of contrast media. Including the present case, we reviewed eleven cases of KS. Six cases developed KS in diagnostic radiology departments.

KS could be induced by intravenous injection of contrast media in the radiology department. Radiologists should recognize this critical condition to ensure appropriate management.

[Inferior myocardial infarction complicated by complete heart block and cardiac arrest following a gadolinium injection: A case of Kounis syndrome]

Kounis syndrome is an allergic acute coronary syndrome. It occurs on healthy or pathological arteries. Its complications, although often benign, can lead to cardiac arrest and death. Its triggering factors are multiple and include contrast products used in diagnostic imaging. We report the case of an 81 years old patient affected by hepatocellular carcinoma, who presented a type 2 Kounis syndrome with inferior myocardial infarction, complicated by cardiac arrest related to complete heart block following a gadoteric acid injection.

Anaphylactic Shock Following Nonionic Contrast Medium during Caudal Epidural Injection

Caudal epidural injection is a common intervention in patients with low back pain and sciatica. Even though the complications of fluoroscopically directed epidural injections are less frequent than in blind epidural injections, complications due to contrast media can occur. We report a case of anaphylactic shock immediately after injection of an intravenous nonionic contrast medium (iohexol) during the caudal epidural injection for low back pain and sciatica in a patient without a previous allergic history to ionic contrast media (ioxitalamate). Five minutes after the dye was injected, the patient began to experience dizziness, and the systolic blood pressure dropped to 60 mmHg. Subsequently, the patient exhibited a mild drowsy mental state. About 30 minutes after the subcutaneous injection of 0.2 mg epinephrine, the systolic blood pressure increased to 90 mmHg. The patient recovered without any sequela. Life-threatening complications after injection of intravenous contrast medium require immediate treatment.

Few and nonsevere adverse infusion events using an automated method for diluting and washing before unrelated single cord blood transplantation

Graft dilution and DMSO washing before cord blood (CB) administration using an automated system may offer low incidence of adverse infusion events (AIE), ensuring reproducible cell yields. Hence, we analyzed the incidences and significance of immediate AIE, cellular yield, and engraftment after single CB infusion. One hundred and fifty-seven patients (median age, 20 years; range, 1 to 60) received a single CB unit for treatment of hematologic and nonhematologic malignancies with myeloablative conditioning after graft dilution and washing. The median total nucleated cell (TNC) doses was 3.4 × 10(7)/kg (range, 2 to 26) and the median post-thaw recovery was 84% (range, 45 to 178). The cumulative incidence of neutrophil engraftment at 50 days was 84% (95% confidence interval [CI], 83 to 93). A total of 118 immediate AIE were observed in fifty-two (33%) patients. All reported AIE were transient, graded from 1 to 2 by Common Terminology Adverse Events version 4. The most frequent toxicity was cardiovascular but without any life-threatening reaction. Infused TNC, recipient's weight, and rate of infusion per kilogram were risk factors associated with cardiovascular AIE in multivariate analysis (odds ratio [OR], 1.2 (95% CI, 1.1 to 1.4); P < .001; OR, .94 (95% CI, .9 to .97); P < .001; and OR, 1.5 (95% CI, 1.2 to 1.8); P < .001; respectively). In summary, use of an automated method for graft washing before CB administration showed low incidence of AIE without compromising cell yields and engraftment. Infused TNC dose, recipient's weight, and rate of infusion per kilogram were risk factors associated with infusion reactions.

Use of IABP in contrast media-induced anaphylactic shock: the ultimate lifesaver

Anaphylactic reaction to contrast media during selective coronary angiography is a rare occurrence. It can be occasionally resistant to medical treatment leading to cardiovascular collapse and death. The use of intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) counter-pulsation when the supportive medical treatment fails during anaphylactic shock is not well documented in the literature. We report a case of a severe contrast media-induced anaphylactic shock which failed to respond to the supportive medical management and the timely insertion of IABP for further circulatory support that prevented death in a patient who had an elective diagnostic coronary angiography. The clinical diagnosis of anaphylaxis was challenging at the onset of shock as the typical rash developed after a few minutes.

Peri-operative anaphylaxis

Peri-operative anaphylaxis is an important cause for mortality and morbidity associated with anaesthesia. The true incidence is unknown and is most likely under reported. Diagnosis can be difficult, particularly as a number of drugs are given simultaneously and any of these agents can potentially cause anaphylaxis. This review covers the clinical features, differential diagnosis and management of anaphylaxis associated with anaesthesia. The investigations to confirm the clinical suspicion of anaphylaxis and further tests to identify the likely drug(s) are examined. Finally the salient features of common and rare causes including non-drug substances are described.

Acute intracoronary thrombosis in a normal coronary artery following coronary angiography: thromboaspiration using a guide catheter

A 60-year-old female presented with anterolateral non-ST elevation myocardial infarction and her coronary angiogram revealed severe left system coronary artery disease with a normal right coronary artery. Following coronary angiogram, she developed acute inferior wall and right ventricular ST elevation myocardial infarction with complete atrioventricular block and cardiogenic shock. Repeat coronary angiogram showed large proximal right coronary thrombus causing subtotal occlusion that was successfully aspirated using a guide catheter. The possible causes for intracoronary thrombosis following coronary angiography are discussed here.

Cardiovascular disease and anaphylaxis

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

In severe anaphylaxis, the cardiovascular system is often heavily involved. Preexisting cardiovascular disease may therefore influence the course of anaphylaxis in a negative way.

RECENT FINDINGS

Systemic mastocytosis and elevated baseline serum tryptase are associated with severe and fatal anaphylaxis to hymenoptera stings. This is due to an increased number of cardiac mast cells resulting in high concentrations of cardiotoxic mast cell mediators in cardiac tissue during anaphylaxis. Severe anaphylaxis in coronary heart disease, in particular, is explained by an increased load of cardiac mast cells together with coronary stenosis favouring myocardial hypoxia. Contraindications for the use of medications for cardiac disease in patients with anaphylaxis, especially beta-blockers, have been questioned by epidemiologic studies considering the positive effects of these drugs on much more prevalent cardiac diseases.

SUMMARY

Preexisting cardiovascular disease, mastocytosis and elevated baseline serum tryptase are risk factors for fatal anaphylactic reactions or lasting morbidity due to myocardial or cerebrovascular infarction induced by anaphylaxis. Life-saving cardiac medications like beta-blockers may increase the severity of anaphylaxis. Since life-threatening cardiovascular diseases are much more frequent than anaphylaxis, the relative risk of either disease with and without these drugs must be analyzed carefully together with the cardiologist.