A pilot randomized controlled trial comparing CABG surgery performed with total arterial grafts or without.

Objective: To date only a few randomized controlled studies have compared grafting strategies in patients with multi-vessel coronary disease. This study represents a pilot RCT designed to test the feasibility of a trial comparing conventional CABG performed with a LIMA-LAD plus saphenous vein grafts (LIMA+SVG) and CABG performed with total arterial grafting (TAG).

Methods: Consenting patients undergoing non-redo isolated CABG surgery at a single institution were randomized to TAG or LIMA+SVG groups.

Transfemoral aortic valve implantation for severe aortic stenosis in a patient with dextrocardia situs inversus.

Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVR) has grown rapidly over the past 10 years. Device and delivery catheter systems have evolved to facilitate the procedure and reduce the risk of associated complications, including those related to vascular access. It is important to understand the utility of the TAVR equipment in patients with more challenging anatomy to select the most appropriate technique for this complex procedure.

Canadian Cardiovascular Society position statement on radiation exposure from cardiac imaging and interventional procedures.

Exposure to ionizing radiation is a consequence of many diagnostic and interventional cardiac procedures. Radiation exposure can result in detrimental health effects because of deterministic (eg, skin reaction) and stochastic effects (eg, cancer). However, with the levels experienced during cardiac procedures these risks can be difficult to quantify.

Canadian Cardiovascular Society/Canadian Association of Radiologists consensus training standards for cardiac computed tomography.

With the goal of optimizing patient care, standards for training in cardiac computed tomography have been developed collaboratively by the Canadian Association of Radiologists and the Canadian Cardiovascular Society. These standards apply to both radiologists and cardiologists.

The impact of diffuseness of coronary artery disease on the outcomes of patients undergoing primary and reoperative coronary artery bypass grafting.

Objective: Diffuse coronary artery disease jeopardizes myocardium, increasing surgical mortality in primary coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). We sought to determine the impact of diffuseness on pre- and post-discharge outcomes for both primary and reoperative CABG (REOP).

Methods: Using a validated system for measuring diffuseness of coronary disease, preoperative angiograms were scored for primary CABG (n=792) and REOP cases (n=268) performed 1997-2004.

Early MRI in the management of clinical scaphoid fracture.

The incidence of MRI detected scaphoid and other wrist fractures was determined in a clinical setting in patients with suspicion of scaphoid injury and negative initial radiographs. The influence on subsequent patient management was examined. Patients attending Accident and Emergency over a 25 month period with suspected scaphoid fracture and normal scaphoid series plain films were referred for wrist MRI.