Journal of Rare Cardiovascular Diseases (JRCD) is an international, quarterly issued, peer-reviewed, open access, online journal that keeps cardiologists and non-cardiologists up-to-date with rare disorders of the heart and vessels. The Journal publishes fine quality review articles, original, basic and clinical sciences research papers, either positive or negative, case reports and articles on public health issues in the field of rare cardiovascular diseases and orphan cardiovascular drugs.

Background: The present study is a prospective interventional study; the study will be carried out in the Dept. of Biochemistry at Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, Acharya Vinoba Bhave Rural Hospital, Datta Meghe Institute of Higher Education and Research Sawangi (Meghe), Wardha. Participants will be outpatients of this institution. Any participant fulfilling the eligibility criteria will be included in the study. Protocol amendments are not expected. However, if necessary, any modification to the protocol will be reported to the entire investigational team through a conference. All changes will be included in the final manuscript prior to submission. Aim and Objectives: Present study is targeted to correlate atherogenic index of plasma with different stages of breast cancer. Implications: Present study will be helpful to detect the different stages of breast cancer with help of different biomarkers.

Congenital anomalies of the coronary arteries are rare but clinically significant causes of myocardial ischemia in infants. We present the case of a 45-day-old female infant with complete occlusion of the left main coronary artery (LMCA) leading to severe left ventricular systolic dysfunction. The child presented with fever, cough, excessive forehead sweating, and feeding difficulties. Echocardiography revealed severe left ventricular dysfunction, while coronary angiography demonstrated complete occlusion of the LMCA with retrograde filling of the left anterior descending (LAD) artery through inter-coronary collaterals. Surgical angioplasty was advised, but definitive treatment was deferred due to financial constraints. This case highlights the importance of considering coronary artery anomalies in infants presenting with heart failure and ischemic changes on electrocardiography.

Amyloidosis is a rare disorder which can affect multiple organs, with cardiac amyloidosis (CA) being one of its main clinical manifestations. CA has 2 distinct subtypes, AL amyloidosis and transthyretin amyloidosis (ATTR), with different histopathological appearances and subsequently different treatment strategies. The diagnostic methods available include multiple modalities to properly detect CA, ranging from the surface electrocardiogram and simple 2D‐echocardiography to more sophisticated methods such as specific biomarkers, speckle tracking echocardiography, or even bone scintigraphy with radioisotopes. However, the definitive diagnosis is reached with an endomyocardial biopsy or a biopsy from peripheral tissue. CA is a particularly challenging disorder in terms of patient management, which ranges from symptomatic treatment for heart failure symptoms to special medication and multiple drug regimens. For AL amyloidosis, a 3‐drug regimen is used as a first‐line therapy including cyclophosphamide, a proteasome inhibitor, and dexamethasone. For ATTR amyloidosis, specific medications are used such as Tafamidis, depending on the specific stage of the disease. Clinical trials of new drugs are pending with the ultimate goal of improving treatment rates and quality of life in patients with any type of CA. JRCD 2019; 4 (2): 34–41

Renal disease, especially end‐stage renal disease, is associated with possible pericardial involvement. We report the case of a 51‐year‐old patient with a history of end‐stage‐renal disease, currently receiving chronic haemodialysis. The patient was admitted to the ward due decreased exercise tolerance and elevation of inflammatory markers. Features of active exudative‐constrictive pericarditis were detected upon imaging studies (echocardiography, computed tomography). The haemodialysis regimen was intensified and anti‐inflammatory treatment was administered. In the follow‐up examination, the patient presented with improved clinical status and echocardiography revealed a decreased amount of pericardial fluid with no pattern of constriction. The elevation of CRP and evidence of active pericardial inflammation upon contrast enhancement seen in CT may help to identify patients with potentially reversible forms of pericardial con‐ striction. In this group of patients, in addition to intensification of dialysis, anti‐inflammatory therapy should be considered to prevent the need for pericardiectomy. JRCD 2019; 4 (2): 47-50.

We present the case of a young patient with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) and concomitant pulmonary tuberculosis (TB), emphasising the need for an interdisciplinary approach when considering underlying aetiology. A 36‐year‐old male was admitted to the hospital due to signs of acute heart failure (HF). After diagnostic work‐up, which included laboratory examination, echocardiography, and coronary angiography, a diagnosis of DCM was established and therapy was initiated. Despite optimal medical therapy for HF, the patient’s condition did not improve. During further diagnostic workup, pulmonary tuberculosis was identified. A significant reduction in HF signs and symptoms and improvement in left ventricular ejection fraction occurred only after TB was treated with 6 months of therapy. The presented case study illustrates the necessity to perform a complete diagnostic workup to identify reversible causes of DCM. JRCD 2019; 4 (2): 56-58.

Complete atrioventricular block (AVB) is rare during pregnancy. Congenital atrioventricular block is the most common type of heart block in this group of patients. About one‑third of female patients with complete AVB remain asymptomatic until adulthood and may be first diagnosed during pregnancy. We present a case of a 31‑year‑old pregnant woman with complete AVB who was in her final stage of pregnancy. After reviewing the various advantages and disadvantages of feasible approaches with the patient, we decided to use fluoroscopy‑guided temporary backup pacemaker implantation. Estimated radiation skin dose was small and safe. The patient agreed to this treatment plan. Four days prior to scheduled cesarean delivery (39 weeks of gestation), during a one‑day stay in the hospital, the patient underwent single‑chamber temporary pacemaker implantation (using transvenous active fixation lead and external re‑sterilized pacemaker). The abdominal and pelvic regions were covered with a lead shield. The caesarean delivery was uneventful and the baby was healthy with an Apgar score of 10. JRCD 2017; 3 (6): 205–209.

We present a case of cardiac concussion (commotio cordis) resulting from blunt chest trauma injury in a professional athlete. The soccer player received frontal injury to the chest caused by another player’s knee during a training session. A few minutes of spontaneously relapsing unconsciousness ensued and the patient was admitted urgently for observation. Surface electrocardiogram showed dynamic alterations in the precordial leads, cardiac necrotic markers were only mildly elevated and cardiac magnetic resonance could not detect any injury‐related pathology. The athlete received conservative treatment. We discuss the differential diagnosis with cardiac contusion and Brugada syndrome. Electrocardiographic abnormalities persisted during the two‐week follow‐up. The patient successfully continues his professional soccer career. JRCD 2017; 3 (5): 171–175

We present to you the fourth and final issue of Journalof Rare Cardiovascular Diseases (JRCD) for 2017.