Three-dimensional echocardiographic documentation of pacemaker lead perforation presenting as acute pericarditis.

Myocardial perforation is a rare complication of permanent pacemaker insertion and is usually detected during the first month after implantation. Pericardial effusion often occurs at the same time, and as a consequence may generate difficulties in the diagnostic workup due to the various aetiologies of its origin. Computed tomography has been used for the documentation of lead perforation, but its diagnostic accuracy in comparison to echocardiographic examination has not been validated.

The paradoxical association of common polymorphisms of the renin-angiotensin system genes with risk of myocardial infarction.

Background: The insertion/deletion polymorphism of the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) and the A1166C polymorphism of the angiotensin-II AT1 receptor (AT1R) have been extensively investigated as possible risk factors for myocardial infarction (MI).

Design And Methods: Genetic association, case-control study, specifically designed to investigate the association of the above-mentioned polymorphisms with risk of MI in a homogeneous, low coronary risk, Caucasian population. The study population consisted of 1603 consecutive patients with acute MI who were recruited from nine clinics, located in three cities, and 699 unrelated adults who were randomly selected from the city catalogues.