Prolonged inflation of coronary angioplasty balloon as treatment for subocclusive dissection of the coronary sinus during implantation of a coronary sinus pacing lead.

Cardiac resynchronization therapy with biventricular stimulation is an accepted treatment procedure for patients with severe heart failure (NYHA class III/IV), low left ventricle ejection fraction, and left bundle branch block, in spite of optimal medical treatment (Smith, S. C. Jr, Feldman, T.

Severe complications of inflammatory bowel disease.

Patients who have inflammatory bowel disease occasionally develop severe complications or emergency situations that require expert and expedited medical care, including toxic colitis, fistulas, abdominal abscesses, malignancy, primary sclerosing cholangitis, and pouchitis. Morbidity and mortality rates of Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis are increased over the expected rates in the unaffected population. Knowledge of the presenting features, natural history, and treatment of these complications should to lead to early and effective therapy and better outcomes.

[Circadian variations in proinflammatory cytokine concentrations in acute myocardial infarction].

Introduction And Objectives: The concentration of certain proinflammatory cytokines has been found to be elevated in patients with acute coronary syndrome. Many studies have shown that coronary ischemic accidents do not show a uniform distribution throughout the day, but instead exhibit rhythmic variations. The objective of this study is to determine whether there is a circadian pattern of variation in the concentrations of proinflammatory cytokines in patients with acute myocardial infarction.

Decreased nocturnal melatonin levels during acute myocardial infarction.

Acute myocardial infarction is accompanied by an increase in cellular oxidative stress in the pericardial coverings of the heart. Melatonin is a highly potent and efficient radical scavenger. Little research has been carried out concerning the relationship between this antioxidant and acute myocardial infarction in humans.