[Echocardiography in patent foramen ovale].

Patent foramen ovale (PFO) is a flap-like opening between the primum and secundum atrial septum at the level of the fossa ovalis that may persist after birth. There is increasing evidence that PFO is the culprit in paradoxical embolic events in patients with ischemic stroke. Although medical or percutaneous treatment of PFO remains controversial, nowadays percutaneous treatment is widespread in clinical practice.

Dissecting intramyocardial hematoma masquerading as a pseudoaneurysm of left ventricular free wall: an unusual case of myocardial rupture.

This report presents a case of left ventricular intramyocardial dissection masquerading as a ventricular pseudoaneurysm. Only serial echocardiograms could lead to the correct diagnosis, and left ventricular angiography could appropriately direct further testing and treatment.

Effect of dexamethasone-eluting stents on systemic inflammatory response in patients with unstable angina pectoris or recent myocardial infarction undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention.

The effect of treatment with steroid-eluting stents on systemic inflammatory response was investigated in patients with unstable angina pectoris or recent myocardial infarction who underwent percutaneous intervention. Compared with controls, dexamethasone-eluting stents significantly reduced C-reactive protein peak levels 48 hours after the procedure; this effect persisted for 7 days and was particularly evident in patients with elevated (>/=3 mg/L) preprocedural C-reactive protein values. Patients receiving a dexamethasone-eluting stent had lower adverse events during follow-up.

New echocardiographic diameter for Amplatzer sizing in adult patients with secundum atrial septal defect: preliminary results.

Anatomical atrial septal defect (ASD) diameter measured by transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) underestimates the Amplatzer septal occluder (ASO) size for ASD closure. The aim of this study is to investigate whether a new echocardiographic diameter (procedural ASD diameter) may enable precise measurements of ASO device size. Fifty adult patients with secundum ASD were evaluated by TEE for percutaneous closure.

Immediate and late results of coronary angioplasty in patients with severe left ventricular dysfunction.

Background: Severe coronary artery disease in patients with a markedly depressed left ventricular function is associated with a poor prognosis. Even though coronary angioplasty (PTCA) has been offered as an alternative to bypass surgery, the role of PTCA in the treatment of patients with severe left ventricular dysfunction has not been well defined. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the immediate and long-term results in patients with severe left ventricular dysfunction < or = 35% who underwent PTCA.

Gender differences in the outcome of interventional cardiac procedures.

Prior studies have reported significant gender differences in the procedural outcomes after elective percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA). Many of these differences have been explained by the presence of more comorbidities and worse clinical characteristics such as older age, unstable angina, congestive heart failure, diabetes mellitus, and hypertension in women than in men. Moreover, women have a smaller vessel diameter, more coronary tortuosity and different plaque composition compared to men that can lead to a higher dissection rate and a greater number of procedural complications.

Intracoronary beta-radiation for the treatment of patients at very high risk for recurrence of in-stent restenosis: a single center experience.

Background: Intracoronary brachytherapy has significantly reduced the recurrence of in-stent restenosis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility, safety and efficacy of intracoronary beta-radiation in patients at very high risk for recurrence of in-stent restenosis.

Methods: We analyzed 42 patients with 50 lesions submitted to catheter-based beta-radiation (Beta-Cath System, Novoste Corporation, Norcross, GA, USA) for in-stent restenosis.

Elective stenting in small coronary arteries: results of the Italian prospective multicenter registry MICROSCOPE.

Background: The role of stent implantation in small coronary arteries is still controversial. The MICROSCOPE study (Ministenting in small coronary arteries, a prospective evaluation) is a multicenter registry addressed to prospectively evaluate the immediate and mid-term clinical and angiographic results of elective stenting of lesions located in coronary arteries with an angiographic reference diameter < or = 2.75 mm.

Transcatheter closure of secundum atrial septal defects with the Amplatzer occluder in adult patients.

Background: Secundum atrial septal defect (ASD) is a common congenital heart disease diagnosed in adulthood. Data regarding the use of the percutaneous occluder device in adult populations are very limited and few studies including the use of the Amplatzer septal occluder (ASO) device in such populations are available. The aim of this study was to evaluAte the immediate and mid-term outcomes of the percutaneous ASD closure with the ASO device in an adult population.