[Anomalous origin of the coronary arteries: five case reports and review of the literature].

Background: Although individual patient outcomes are highly variable, coronary artery anomalies may be associated with sudden cardiac death or acute coronary syndrome.

Methods: We report 5 cases of anomalous origin of coronary arteries: a single coronary artery originating from the right sinus of Valsalva, a case of isolated anomalous right coronary artery originating separately from the left sinus of Valsalva, a case of right coronary artery originating between the right and left sinus of Valsalva, a case of anomalous left circumflex artery originating from the right sinus of Valsalva, and a case of anomalous left anterior descending coronary artery originating from the right sinus of Valsalva.

Results: Although in one case the right coronary artery runned between the aorta and the right pulmonary artery, no significant alterations due to coronary artery compression or atheromatous lesions at the anomalous coronary ostia were observed.

Moderate exercise training improves functional capacity, quality of life, and endothelium-dependent vasodilation in chronic heart failure patients with implantable cardioverter defibrillators and cardiac resynchronization therapy.

Background: The objective of this study was to determine the effects of a moderate exercise training program on functional capacity, quality of life, and hospital readmission rate in chronic heart failure patients with implantable cardioverter defibrillators and cardiac resynchronization therapy.

Methods And Results: We studied 52 men (mean age 55+/-10 years, ejection fraction 31+/-7%) in chronic heart failure II (n=29) and III (n=23) NYHA functional class with ischemic cardiomyopathy who received implantable cardioverter defibrillators with or without cardiac resynchronization therapy. Patients were randomized into two groups.