Frequency of abnormal fractional flow reserve measurements among major coronary arteries.

Background: Fractional flow reserve(FFR) is a validated tool for evaluating functional severity and guiding the revascularization of angiographically moderate coronary artery lesions.

Objective: To study if there is a higher frequency of positive FFR measurements in the left anterior descending(LAD) versus other major coronary arteries and also evaluate the differences in the total length of the stent placed.

Methods: A retrospective cohort study including all subjects (January 2011 to December 2015) who had fractional flow reserve (FFR) measured during coronary catheterization was conducted.

Syphilis as a Cause of Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm.

In 2009, we described morphologic findings in 22 patients having resection of an ascending aortic aneurysm in the previous 11 years at the Baylor University Medical Center, and histologic examination of the aneurysmal wall disclosed classic findings of syphilitic aortitis. The major purpose of that extensively illustrated report was to describe the characteristic gross features of the aneurysm such that syphilitic aortitis might be better recognized at operation and appropriate antibiotics administered postoperatively. The aim of the present study was to emphasize that syphilis remains a major cause of ascending aortic aneurysm.

Computed Tomographic and Morphologic Features of Syphilis of the Aorta.

This report describes certain computed tomographic and morphologic features of syphilitic aortitis in 2 patients in whom the process involved the entire thoracic aorta.

Electrocardiographic Total 12-Lead QRS Voltage in Patients Having Operative Resection of Syphilitic Aortic Aneurysm.

Electrocardiographic voltage has been used to determine the presence of left ventricular hypertrophy for about 70 years. Varying electrocardiographic criteria have been applied. We have found total 12-lead QRS voltage to be most useful in this regard.

Successful MitraClip® implantation after angioplasty of a chronic inferior vena cava filter thrombosis.

The MitraClip® has increasing use for severe, high surgical risk mitral regurgitation (MR). The MitraClip® is implanted percutaneously across the interatrial septum. Given the large diameter of the device delivery system, the femoral vein is the best option for central venous access.

Maternal use of cyclobenzaprine (Flexeril) may induce ductal closure and persistent pulmonary hypertension in neonates.

A full-term male infant presented shortly after birth with respiratory distress. An echocardiogram done within the first hour of life showed an elevated pulmonary artery pressure, an associated right ventricular hypertrophy without a patent ductus arteriosus. The patient was treated for persistent pulmonary hypertension with favorable response.

Periprocedural adverse events in cell therapy trials in myocardial infarction and cardiomyopathy: a systematic review.

Background: Cell therapy (CTh) is a promising novel therapy for myocardial infarction (MI) and ischemic cardiomyopathy (iCMP). Recognizing adverse events (AE) is important for safety evaluation, harm prevention and may aid in the design of future trials.

Objective: To define the prevalence of periprocedural AE in CTh trials in MI and iCMP.