Cardiogenic shock and coronary endothelial dysfunction predict cardiac allograft vasculopathy after heart transplantation.

Cardiac allograft vasculopathy remains one of the major causes of death post-heart transplantation. Its etiology is multifactorial and prevention is challenging. The aim of this study was to prospectively determine factors related to cardiac allograft vasculopathy after heart transplantation.

Global risk score for choosing the best revascularization strategy in patients with unprotected left main stenosis.

Background: Coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) is recommended for patients with unprotected left main stenosis (ULMS). Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is only recommended in specific anatomic conditions as in patients with low/mid SYNTAX score (SS). The aim of this study was to assess if the clinical and anatomic global risk classification (GRC) can enhance the indication of both revascularization therapies.

Troponin repercussion of defibrillation at the end of cardiopulmonary bypass.

Background And Aim Of The Study: Cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) is a relatively common procedure in cardiac surgery. At the end, the heart is electrically defibrillated if not already beating. External and internal cardioversion by specific catheters do not raise plasma troponin concentration, but the possible repercussion on troponin of the direct cardioversion of the heart has not been documented.

Surgical treatment of left ventricular free wall rupture after myocardial infarction: case series.

Aim: To analyze the results of surgical treatment of left ventricular free wall rupture after acute myocardial infarct in a case series.

Method: From 1984 to 2001, 25 patients (10 women and 15 men) were surgically treated in our Center for left ventricular free wall rupture after acute myocardial infarction. Their mean age was 62 years (range, 42-80).