Coronary angioplasty on an impassable calcified stenosis using a buddy balloon technique.

We report our experience in coronary angioplasty on a calcified lesion that was not passable with balloon catheters despite an adequate preangioplasty lumen size on angiogram and intravascular ultrasonography study. The angioplasty was successfully performed with a simple and inexpensive buddy balloon technique.

Left ventricular performance in patients with severe acute respiratory syndrome: a 30-day echocardiographic follow-up study.

Background: Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) is characterized by an overaggressive immune response. Myocardial performance may be impaired in cytokine-mediated immune reactions.

Methods And Results: Forty-six patients with established clinical diagnosis of SARS were studied prospectively.