Isolated intracranial Rosai-Dorfman disease: report of two cases and a review of the literature.

Rosai-Dorfman disease (RDD) is a rare but well-recognized idiopathic histioproliferative disease affecting the systemic lymph nodes. It is characterized by an unusual proliferation of histiocytic cells. Intracranial localization is a rare manifestation of RDD.

Right atrial appendage thrombus found in a patient in normal sinus rhythm with normal right ventricular systolic function.

A 79-year-old woman underwent transesophageal echocardiography to evaluate the severity of her mitral regurgitation prior to urgent bypass. Evaluation of the right-sided chambers was notable for a mass in the right atrial appendage (RAA). Surgical excision and pathologic examination proved this to be a thrombus.

Frequency of congenitally bicuspid aortic valves in patients ≥80 years of age undergoing aortic valve replacement for aortic stenosis (with or without aortic regurgitation) and implications for transcatheter aortic valve implantation.

The purpose of the present report was to determine the frequency of a congenitally bicuspid aortic valve in patients ≥80 years of age old with aortic stenosis (AS) severe enough to warrant aortic valve replacement. Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) has traditionally been reserved for patients ≥80 years of age with severe AS involving a 3-cuspid aortic valve. Traditionally, AS involving a 2-cuspid aortic valve has been a contraindication to TAVI.

Effect of coronary bypass and valve structure on outcome in isolated valve replacement for aortic stenosis.

Reports differ regarding the effect of concomitant coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) in patients who undergo aortic valve replacement (AVR) for aortic stenosis (AS), and no reports have described the effect of aortic valve structure in patients who undergo AVR for AS. A total of 871 patients aged 24 to 94 years (mean 70) whose AVR for AS was their first cardiac operation, with or without first concomitant CABG, were included. Patients who underwent mitral valve procedures were excluded.

Aortic medial elastic fiber loss in acute ascending aortic dissection.

The cause of acute aortic dissection continues to be debated. One school of thought suggests that underlying aortic medial cystic necrosis is the common denominator. The purpose of the present study was to determine if there was loss and, if so, how much loss of medial elastic fibers in the ascending aorta in patients with acute aortic dissection with the entrance tear in the ascending aorta.