Congenital absence of the pericardium: A rare and challenging diagnosis.

This article describes a patient who presented to the ED after multiple episodes of syncope. His physical examination was unremarkable and an initial workup was negative. Transthoracic echocardiography and chest CT confirmed the diagnosis of congenital complete absence of the pericardium, a rare developmental abnormality most common in men.

Racial Variation in the Complexity of Coronary Artery Disease in Patients with Acute ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction.

Background: Racial variations in presentation of patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) have been suggested.

Methods: This was a retrospective analysis of a tertiary center from 2012 to 2016. We included patients presenting with acute STEMI who received primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

Outcomes of Surgical Ablation in Patients With Atrial Fibrillation Undergoing Cardiac Surgeries.

Background: Surgical ablation procedure is commonly performed in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) undergoing cardiac surgeries; however, the evidence regarding its impact on in-hospital cardiovascular outcomes is controversial.

Methods: We queried the Nationwide Inpatient Sample Database for patients with AF who underwent cardiac surgeries from 1998 to 2013. We performed a propensity-score matching including 21 various baseline characteristics to compare those who underwent surgical ablation with those who had not.

Clopidogrel Versus Newer P2Y12 Antagonists for Percutaneous Coronary Intervention in Patients with Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest Managed with Therapeutic Hypothermia: A Meta-Analysis.

Introduction: The impact of therapeutic hypothermia (TH) on outcomes of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and the optimal antiplatelet treatment remains debatable.

Methods: Electronic databases were searched for randomized trials and observational studies to evaluate the available clinical evidence comparing the use of clopidogrel versus newer P2Y12 antagonists in cases of TH after PCI. The primary outcome was in-hospital definite stent thrombosis while the secondary outcomes were in-hospital mortality and major bleeding.

Meta-analysis of randomized trials on percutaneous patent foramen ovale closure for prevention of migraine.

Background: The role of percutaneous patent foramen ovale (PFO) closure for prevention of migraine is controversial.

Methods: We performed a computerised search of MEDLINE, EMBASE and COCHRANE databases through December 2017 for randomised trials evaluating PFO closure versus control in patients with migraine headaches (with or without aura). The main study outcome was the reduction in monthly migraine attacks after PFO closure compared with the control group.

Single Coronary Artery Anomaly: A Case Report and Review of Literature.

Introduction: Single coronary artery is a rare anomaly, which is usually associated with other cardiac congenital abnormalities.

Case Report: A 56-year-old female presented with unstable angina. The patient reported complaints of typical chest pain on exertion few months prior to presentation, which progressed to become at rest.

Meta-Analysis of Randomized Trials of Intracoronary Versus Intravenous Glycoprotein IIb/IIIa Inhibitors in Patients With ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction Undergoing Primary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention.

The efficacy and safety of glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitors via intracoronary (IC) route versus the intravenous (IV) route are not well known. We conducted this meta-analysis of randomized trials evaluating the role of IC versus IV glycoprotein IIb/IIIa in patients undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention. The analysis included 14 trials with a total of 3,754 patients.

Impact of Left Atrial Appendage Exclusion on Cardiovascular Outcomes in Patients With Atrial Fibrillation Undergoing Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting (From the National Inpatient Sample Database).

Left atrial appendage (LAA) exclusion is performed by some surgeons in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) who undergo coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). However, the available evidence regarding the efficacy and safety of this procedure remains mixed. We queried the Nationwide Inpatient Survey Database for the 10-year period from 2004 to 2013.