Sacubitril/Valsartan Improves Cardiac Function in Dialysis Patients.

Heart failure (HF) is characterized by the activation of adverse neurohormonal systems and a high mortality rate. Noteworthy, HF is a well-known complication of chronic kidney disease (CKD), especially in end-stage kidney disease (ESKD), where dialysis patients are seven to eight times more likely to encounter cardiac arrest than the general population. Therefore, it is important to develop efficient treatments to improve cardiac function in dialysis patients and eventually reduce the cardiovascular death toll.

Ethnicity of Symptomatic Coronary Artery Disease Referred for Coronary Angiography in the Galilee: Prevalence, Risk Factors, and a Case for Screening and Modification.

Background: Coronary artery disease (CAD) has known risk factors. Individual risks related to specific ethnicities are complex and depend on genetic predisposition and lifestyle.

Objectives: To compare the nature and prevalence of risk factors in Arab and non-Arab ethnic patients with symptomatic obstructive CAD referred for coronary angiography.

Left Circumflex Coronary Artery as the Culprit Vessel in ST-Segment-Elevation Myocardial Infarction.

The prevalence of the left circumflex coronary artery (LCx) as the culprit vessel in ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) is reportedly lowest among that of the 3 main epicardial arteries, and has not been described for non-STEMI (NSTEMI) and stable angina pectoris. We sought to define the distribution of culprit arteries in these clinical presentations and suggest mechanisms for the differences. We reviewed 189 coronary angiograms of patients with STEMI, 203 with NSTEMI, and 548 with stable angina (n=940), and compared distributions of stenotic and culprit coronary arteries (lesions prompting intervention).

The need for maximal sterile barrier precaution in routine interventional coronary procedures; microbiology analysis.

Background: Maximal sterile barrier precautions (MSBP) including head coverings and face masks are advocated for use in invasive procedures, including coronary interventions. The rationale for MSBP assumes it is an obligatory measure for infection prevention. However, in many coronary catheterization laboratories, head coverings/face masks are not used in daily practice.

Takotsubo cardiomyopathy caused by epinephrine-treated bee sting anaphylaxis: a case report.

Introduction: Stress-induced cardiomyopathy (Takotsubo) after bee stings in patients who have received catecholamines is rare. Endogenous as well as exogenous administration of catecholamines is thought to trigger stress-induced cardiomyopathy.

Case Presentation: A 37-year-old healthy white woman was stung by an unknown Hymenoptera that resulted in an anaphylactic reaction.

Fenestrated atrial septal defect percutaneously occluded by a single device: procedural and financial considerations.

A 45-year-old patient presented with a cerebrovascular attack and was subsequently found to have a multi-fenestrated atrial septal defect. Various therapeutic options for percutaneous transcatheter closure with their respective benefits and flaws are discussed, as well as procedural and financial considerations. The decision making process leading to a successful result using a single occlusive device is presented, alongside a review of the literature.

Unprotected left main stenting, short- and long-term outcomes.

Background: Coronary bypass surgery is recommended for the treatment of left main coronary stenosis. Recently a percutaneous approach has been described as a feasible option.

Objectives: To present the in-hospital and long-term clinical and angiographic outcome of a consecutive group of patients undergoing stenting for unprotected left main coronary artery (LMCA) disease, and to compare the clinical and angiographic outcomes of drug-eluting stent (DES) versus metal stent (BMS).

Culprit only versus complete coronary revascularization during primary PCI.

Background: Primary percutaneous intervention (PCI) is the treatment of choice for acute ST elevation myocardial infarction. Currently it is recommended to treat only the culprit artery during the acute procedure. Only few reports describe the results of simultaneous non-culprit vessel PCI.