International collaborative systematic review of controlled clinical trials on pharmacologic treatments for acute pericarditis and its recurrences.

Background: Acute pericarditis is common, yet uncertainty persists on its treatment. We thus aimed to conduct a comprehensive systematic review on pharmacologic treatments for acute or recurrent pericarditis.

Methods: Controlled clinical studies were searched in several databases and were included provided they focused on pharmacologic agents for acute pericarditis or its recurrences.

Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials appraising the impact of cilostazol after percutaneous coronary intervention.

Background: Drug-eluting stents reduce the risk of restenosis after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) but may pose a risk of thrombosis. Cilostazol, an oral antiplatelet agent with pleiotropic effects including inhibition of neointimal hyperplasia, could hold the promise of preventing both restenosis and thrombosis. We systematically reviewed randomized clinical trials (RCTs) on the angiographic and clinical impact of cilostazol after PCI.

A collaborative systematic review and meta-analysis on 1278 patients undergoing percutaneous drug-eluting stenting for unprotected left main coronary artery disease.

Background: Cardiac surgery is the standard treatment for unprotected left main disease (ULM). Drug-eluting stent (DES) implantation has been recently reported in patients with ULM but with unclear results. We systematically reviewed outcomes of percutaneous DES implantation in ULM.

The retrograde coronary approach for chronic total occlusions: mid-term results and technical tips & tricks.

Background: Coronary chronic total occlusions (CTO) remain a challenging lesion subset for interventional cardiologists. The retrograde approach is a novel but still incompletely described technique. We report our 5-year-long experience in retrograde percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for CTOs.

Meta-analysis appraising high clopidogrel loading in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention.

Combined antiplatelet treatment with aspirin and clopidogrel is pivotal to minimize periprocedural adverse events in patients who undergo percutaneous coronary intervention. However, there is debate on the best clopidogrel loading dose. The investigators performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of the optimal clopidogrel loading dose.

Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura and percutaneous coronary stenting: a dangerous duo?

Dual antiplatelet therapy is a mainstay in the management of patients undergoing coronary stenting. Whether this is also appropriate in patients with a diagnosis of idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) is unclear. We report the case of a 66-year-old man with ITP admitted for an acute coronary syndrome.

Does a ventriculotomy have deleterious effects following palliation in the Norwood procedure using a shunt placed from the right ventricle to the pulmonary arteries?

Introduction: A recent modification to the Norwood procedure involving a shunt placed directly from the right ventricle to the pulmonary arteries may improve postoperative haemodynamics. Concerns remain, however, about the potential problems produced by the required ventriculotomy.

Methods: We compared 76 patients with hypoplastic left heart syndrome who underwent the Norwood procedure, 35 receiving a modified Blalock-Taussig shunt and the remaining 41 a shunt placed directly from the right ventricle to the pulmonary arteries.

Complete repair of conotruncal defects with an interatrial communication: oxygenation, hemodynamic status, and early outcome.

Background: Complete repair of conotruncal defects frequently uses maintenance of an interatrial communication. Postoperative right ventricular dysfunction may be characterized by elevated right atrial pressure and decreased systemic oxygen saturation owing to right-to-left shunting at the atrial level.

Methods: From January 1996 to December 2005, 112 patients younger than 6 months of age underwent complete repair of tetralogy of Fallot or truncus arteriosus.

Cardiothoracic surgery resident education: update on resident recruitment and job placement.

Background: Applications to cardiothoracic surgery training programs have steadily declined. The application cycle for 2004 marked the first time the number of applicants was lower than the positions offered. This survey reflects on this trend in applications and the perspectives of current and graduating residents.

Right ventricular outflow tract stent as a bridge to surgery in a premature infant with tetralogy of Fallot.

Despite dramatic progress in neonatal cardiac surgery, prematurity and low birth weight remain risk factors for poor outcome. Attempts to delay intervention with supportive therapy have been shown to increase morbidity and mortality. We present a case of an 840 gram, 28-week gestation newborn with tetralogy of Fallot, in whom palliation was achieved with a right ventricular outflow tract stent.