INTRODUCTIONA 22-year-old Malay soldier developed dapsone hypersensitivity syndrome 12 weeks after taking maloprim (dapsone 100 mg/pyrimethamine 12.5 mg) for anti-malarial prophylaxis.

CLINICAL PICTUREHe presented with fever, rash, lymphadenopathy and multiple-organ involvement including serositis, hepatitis and thyroiditis. Subsequently, he developed congestive heart failure with a reduction in ejection fraction on echocardiogram, and serum cardiac enzyme elevation consistent with a hypersensitivity myocarditis.

TREATMENTMaloprim was discontinued and he was treated with steroids, diuretics and an angiotensin-converting-enzyme inhibitor.

OUTCOMEHe has made a complete recovery with resolution of thyroiditis and a return to normal ejection fraction 10 months after admission.

CONCLUSIONIn summary, we report a case of dapsone hypersensitivity syndrome with classical symptoms of fever, rash and multi-organ involvement including a rare manifestation of myocarditis. To our knowledge, this is the first case of dapsone-related hypersensitivity myocarditis not diagnosed in a post-mortem setting. As maloprim is widely used for malaria prophylaxis, clinicians need to be aware of this unusual but potentially serious association.

Abdominal Pain ; drug therapy ; Adult ; Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Biopsy ; Dapsone ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Drug Hypersensitivity ; complications ; pathology ; Echocardiography ; Electrocardiography, Ambulatory ; Fever ; drug therapy ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Myocarditis ; diagnosis ; etiology ; Radiography, Thoracic ; Skin ; pathology ; Thyrotoxicosis ; diagnosis ; etiology

INTRODUCTIONPrimary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) in hospitals without on-site cardiac surgery capability, despite receiving only a class IIb recommendation in the ACC/AHA practice guidelines, can be performed effectively and safely. We reviewed the fi rst 3 years of our experience.

MATERIALS AND METHODSThis is a retrospective single centre review of all patients receiving primary PCI for STEMI between 2003 and 2005. Demographic, procedural and outcome data were analysed.

RESULTSThere were 259 patients who underwent primary PCI. The mean age was 55.3 +/- 12.3 years. Median door-to-balloon time was 97.5 minutes and 45.2% and 52.9% had anterior and inferior STEMI, respectively. The majority of patients presented with Killip class I (87.6%); however, 5.8% were in Killip class IV. Single vessel disease was found in 47.1%. Angiographic PCI success (defined as residual stenosis <50% with TIMI 3 fl ow) was achieved in 89.1%. Usage of stents, distal protection and aspiration devices were 97.2%, 27.8% and 34.1 %, respectively; 9.3% required intra-aortic balloon pump insertion. No patients required transfer for emergency coronary bypass surgery as a result of PCI complications. Post-PCI ST resolution >50% was achieved in 80.6%. The mean post-infarct left ventricular ejection fraction was 44.1%. In-hospital, 30-day, 6-month and 1-year mortality rates were 2%, 2.8%, 4.0% and 4.8%, respectively. Clinically driven target lesion revascularisation rate was 2.8% at 1 year.

CONCLUSIONSOur results are comparable to those from on-site surgical centres. This supports the feasibility and safety of primary PCI in cardiac centres without on-site cardiac surgery.

Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary ; Female ; Hospitals ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Myocardial Infarction ; therapy ; Retrospective Studies ; Time Factors