Modified septal myectomy using a curved knife for left ventricular septal hypertrophy.

An 86-year-old woman presented with chest pain and discomfort. Echocardiography revealed severe aortic valve stenosis and asymmetric septal hypertrophy. Aortic valve replacement and myectomy were performed using a curved knife.

Association between aortic valve calcification and myocardial ischemia, especially in asymptomatic patients.

Unlabelled: Aortic valve calcification (AVC) is recognized as a manifestation of systemic arteriosclerosis. However, it is unclear whether AVC is associated with myocardial ischemia. Stress myocardial perfusion SPECT (MPS) is widely used for the diagnosis of myocardial ischemia.

Beneficial effects of valsartan on target lesion revascularization after percutaneous coronary interventions with bare-metal stents.

Background: Angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARB) have been shown to reduce cardiovascular events in patients at risk. The effect of valsartan on outcomes after percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI) with bare-metal stents (BMS) was investigated.

Methods And Results: The prospective, randomized study included 191 patients at 5 participating institutions, who were randomly assigned to either a 40-80 mg valsartan add-on or non-ARB treatment.

Characterization of noncalcified coronary plaques and identification of culprit lesions in patients with acute coronary syndrome by 64-slice computed tomography.

Objectives: We sought to characterize noncalcified coronary atherosclerotic plaques in culprit and remote coronary atherosclerotic lesions in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) with 64-slice computed tomography (CT).

Background: Lower CT density, positive remodeling, and adjacent spotty coronary calcium are characteristic vessel changes in unstable coronary plaques.

Methods: Of 147 consecutive patients who underwent contrast-enhanced 64-slice CT examination for coronary artery visualization, 101 (ACS; n = 21, non-ACS; n = 80) having 228 noncalcified coronary atherosclerotic plaques (NCPs) were studied.

Plasma levels of oxidized low density lipoprotein are associated with stable angina pectoris and modalities of acute coronary syndrome.

The role of plasma levels of oxidized low density lipoprotein (OxLDL) in the development of coronary heart disease (CHD) has not been fully elucidated. We examined the relationship among plasma levels of OxLDL, measured by an enzyme immunoassay using an antibody against OxLDL (FOH1a/DLH3) and apolipoprotein B, CHD, and modalities at the onset of acute coronary syndrome (ACS). A total of 115 individuals who underwent coronary angiography were studied.