Case report: diagnosis of chronic Chagas cardiomyopathy using a multimodality imaging approach.

Background: In the USA, ∼300 000 people are affected by Chagas heart disease, a growing, but commonly overlooked, public health issue. Chagas as a potential aetiology of dilated cardiomyopathy remains under-recognized. We present a case where multimodality imaging was essential in the diagnosis and management of Chagas heart disease.

STEMI interventions--a review of relevant clinical trials.

Major advances have been made in primary reperfusion and adjunctive therapies for STEMI. Mechanical reperfusion therapy has become the preferred reperfusion strategy for patients with STEMI. Outcomes have improved with the use of stents, platelet inhibitors, and with increased experience, and there is a promise that outcomes can become even better with new methods to enhance myocardial reperfusion and reduce reperfusion injury and with new anticoagulants and drug-eluting stents.