Fever induced Brugada syndrome masquerading as STEMI

Brugada Syndrome (BrS) is an autosomal dominant genetic disease determined by abnormal electrocardiographic (ECG) pattern and causes increased risk of sudden cardiac death. It is characterised by coved-type ST segment elevation in precordial leads V1-V3. There had been many proposed mechanisms explaining the link of sodium channel mutations and its electrophysiology. 

There are various triggering factors like fever, hypokalemia, ischemia, cocaine abuse and medications which unmask the ECG changes and these changes are usually transient. There is increased possibility of this cardiac rhythm to deteriorate into life threatening arrhythmias. Thus it is essential for the clinician to be aware of the conditions. We present such a scenario in which hyperthermia unmasked our patient’s Brugada syndrome.

Possible role for HIF-1β/ARNT in the regulation of vascular function in diabetes and cardiovascular disease

Cardiovascular disease is one of the major causes of morbidity and mortality in diabetic patients. In fact, almost 80% of deaths in diabetics are caused by cardiac complications. Because of the high rate of obesity and sedentary lifestyles inthe United States, the prevalence of diabetes has doubled over the past 30 years. Diabetes is one of the major risk factors that lead to cardiovascular disease (CVD). In fact, from the perspective of cardiovascular medicine, it may be appropriate to say, “Diabetes is a cardiovascular disease.” However, it is still not clear how diabetes promotes cardiac dysfunction