Predictors of Spontaneous Echo Contrast in Left Heart Chambers in Patients with Dilated Cardiomyopathy: Slowing Down Might not Always Mean Enjoying Life.

Introduction: Spontaneous echo contrast(SEC) is usually detected in heart chambers as a result of reduced flow velocity in the cavity. The clinical importance of SEC lies in its association with embolic events. The aim of our study was to determine the frequency of SEC in left heart chambers in sinus rhythm patients with dilated cardiomyopathy and predictors for its emergence.

An echocardiographic clue for ostial left main coronary artery stenosis.

Calcified nodules in human coronary arteries are usually focally distributed. Non-invasive imaging of coronary arteries by bedside emergency transthoracic echocardiography in adults is possible and may become a useful adjunct to other methods of coronary artery examination. Coronary artery stenosis can be identified as localized color aliasing and accelerated flow velocities.

Bronchopericardial fistula, an unusual complication of oxytetracycline sclerosis therapy.

Here we report a rare case of bronchopericardial fistula following intrapericardial instillation of oxytetracycline. A 63-year-old female patient was admitted for management of malignant pericardial effusion secondary to right-sided bronchogenic carcinoma. Medical therapy and recurrent percutaneous catheter drainage failed in resolving the problem, so subxiphoid pericardiostomy and drainage tube insertion was performed.