Quantification of the internal mammary artery size in Aboriginal and Torres Strait islanders.

Background: Variation in size of the internal mammary artery has been demonstrated in ethnic groups, but not reported in Aboriginal patients. We hypothesised that the left internal mammary artery is smaller in Aboriginal patients compared to non-Aboriginal patients and aimed to determine the impact on survival following coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery.

Methods: Left internal mammary artery size was compared between Aboriginal (n = 345) and non-Aboriginal (n = 1819) in 2343 patients undergoing CABG at Flinders Medical Centre from January 2010 to June 2021.

Transcatheter mitral valve-in-valve: treatment of rheumatic heart disease in young patients.

Background: Rheumatic heart disease (RHD) in young people presents a complex management problem. In Australia a significant proportion of those affected are Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders. Transcatheter mitral valve-in-valve (TMViV) replacement has emerged as an alternative to redo surgery in high-risk patients with degenerated mitral bioprostheses.

Inferior vena cava filter limb embolization to the right ventricle: a case report.

Background: Inferior vena cava (IVC) filters are used to prevent pulmonary embolism (PE) in patients at a high risk for venous thromboembolism with a contraindication to anticoagulation. Inferior vena cava filters are associated with rare but significant long-term complications such as filter fracture and embolization.

Case Summary: We report the case of a 53-year-old female with an IVC filter inserted 8 years back for the management of recurrent bilateral PE resistant to anticoagulation.