[Peripartum cardiomyopathy].

Peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCM) is a rare disorder in which left ventricular dysfunction and symptoms of heart failure occur in the peripartum period in previously healthy women. Incidence of PPCM ranges from 1 in 1300 to 1 in 15,000 pregnancies. The etiology of PPCM is unknown, but viral, autoimmune, and idiopathic causes may contribute.

Percutaneous coronary angioplasty in a patient with anomalous single coronary artery arising from the right sinus of Valsalva.

We describe a 74-year-old female patient with unstable angina. The coronary angiogram showed the presence of a single coronary artery arising from the right sinus of Valsalva, which is a very uncommon congenital anomaly, with subocclusive atherosclerotic plaques at the proximal and distal right coronary artery. The stenoses were treated through percutaneous coronary angioplasty and insertion of taxol-eluting stents, with complete relief of symptoms and without evidence of myocardial ischemia at 6-months follow up.

Diagnostic value of the head-up tilt test and the R-test in patients with syncope.

The diagnostic value of the head-up tilt test (HUTT) in discovering vasovagal syndrome depends on the pre-test probability. An accurate anamnesis and clinical examination screens the patients indicated for the HUTT. In patients with unexplained syncope, the R-test is an alternative procedure to discover its cause.