Acute myocardial infarction caused by left atrial myxoma: Role of intracoronary catheter aspiration.

Acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) caused by left atrial myxoma is very rare. Catheter-based approaches or thrombolytic therapy are mostly the first step in the management of STEMI with less time delay. We report a case of acute anterior/lateral STEMI caused by a left atrial myxoma.

Renal denervation in the treatment of resistant hypertension: Dead, alive or surviving?

Hypertension is one of the most common chronic clinical problems encountered by physicians. The prevalence of resistant hypertension is estimated at 9% in the US. Patients with resistant hypertension have been shown to be at higher risk for adverse cardiovascular events, hence the need for greater efforts in improving the treatment of hypertension.

Giant right atrial mass obliterating the right atrium.

A73-year-old man with past medical history of mechanical aortic valve replacement, metastatic melanoma of unknown primaries with liver metastasis, presented with progressive shortness of breath and dyspnea on exertion. Transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) showed a large homogenous mass completely occupying the right atrial cavity and extending to and nearly obstructing the inflow area of the tricuspid valve. He was treated with chemotherapy.

An objective comparison between bivalirudin and heparin during peripheral vascular interventions.

Patients undergoing percutaneous peripheral interventions are at increased risk for thrombotic complications hence the routine use of periprocedural anticoagulants. There is currently no American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association guidelines for periprocedural anticoagulants use in percutaneous peripheral interventions. Historically, unfractionated heparin has been the most common periprocedural anticoagulant used during percutaneous peripheral interventions.

Central diabetes insipidus as the presenting symptom of granulomatosis with polyangiitis.

Granulomatosis with polyangiitis (Wegener's; GPA) is a necrotizing granulomatous vasculitis that can affect any organ system; however, central nervous system involvement is uncommon. We present 2 cases where central diabetes insipidus was the presenting manifestation of GPA. Pituitary involvement was documented by magnetic resonance imaging.