Case 12-2003

Abstract

Presentation of CaseAn 82-year-old man was admitted to the hospital because of dyspnea and peripheral edema.The patient had a long history of hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and depression with mild dementia. He had smoked heavily until 30 years before admission and had chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Fifteen months before the current admission, he was admitted to another hospital because of substernal pain, dyspnea, and sustained ventricular tachycardia. The rhythm did not respond to the administration of adenosine, metoprolol, diltiazem, or lidocaine, but electrical cardioversion restored a normal rhythm. The results of laboratory tests are shown in Table 1.First Admission . . .