Permanent pacing in patients with recurrence of symptoms and relapse of left ventricular obstruction at midcavity level after alcohol septal ablation.

Treatment of symptom recurrence after initially successful alcohol septal ablation (ASA) in hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy (HOCM) when accompanied by relapse of intracavitary left ventricular pressure gradient (LVG) is guided by the underlying mechanism. We describe our experience with permanent pacing in three patients with relapse of both LVG and symptoms 7 to 12 months after successful ASA. Even though pressure gradient recurrence was observed at midventricular level, we were able to achieve symptomatic improvement and LVG reduction after right ventricular apex pacing in all three cases.

Case report: Percutaneous balloon pericardiotomy using Inoue balloon for patients with massive pericardial effusion.

Two patients presenting with huge pericardial effusion were treated with pericardiotomy, using an Inoue balloon dilating catheter, to prevent recurrences and achieve symptoms relief. The procedure is a modification of an original technique reported by Palacios et al. gaining advantage of the Inoue balloon self positioning abilities and low profile.

Circulating soluble adhesion molecules ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 and their association with clinical outcome, troponin T and C-reactive protein in patients with acute coronary syndromes.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to compare concentrations of soluble intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM-1) and vascular cell adhesion molecule (VCAM-1) in patients with coronary artery disease and healthy control and to evaluate the usefulness of the inflammatory markers as predictors of adverse prognosis in patients with acute coronary syndromes (ACS).

Design And Methods: ELISA was used to measure sICAM-1 and sVCAM-1 levels in 75 patients with ACS, 36 patients with stable angina pectoris (SAP) and 25 healthy subjects. hsCRP was measured with immunoturbidimetric assay, cardiac troponin T-with electrochemiluminescence immunoassay.