Pseudoaneurysm formation in infective endocarditis.

Left ventricular pseudoaneurysms that develop in the setting of infective endocarditis are believed to result from remodeling of extravalvular abscesses. The high pressure generated by the left ventricle is thought to dissect into the abscess causing it to form a characteristic sac-like protuberance readily recognized echocardiographically. Left ventricular pseudoaneurysms most often arise from abscesses in the mitral-aortic intervalvular fibrosa and protrude external to the aorta.

Antithrombotic therapy for patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention: a review.

Patients with atrial fibrillation who have risk factors for thromboembolism benefit from chronic oral anticoagulation therapy, and antiplatelet therapy alone is of relatively little benefit for prevention of ischemic stroke and systemic embolism. Patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention with drug-eluting stents require dual antiplatelet therapy with aspirin and a thienopyridine for 3 to 12 months or more prevention of stent thrombosis and recurrent ischemic events. When patients with atrial fibrillation undergo percutaneous coronary intervention, the need to combine dual antiplatelet therapy and warfarin raises the risk of major bleeding complications considerably.