Clinical Safety and Efficacy of New-Generation Single-Layer Polytetrafluorethylene Covered Coronary Stents.

Background: Early-generation "sandwich-design" polytetrafluorethylene (PTFE) covered coronary stents (CS) are associated with a high frequency of adverse events. New-generation single layer PTFE-CS offers the potential to enhanced procedural efficacy and improves clinical safety. Data from a dedicated study, concerning outcomes after treatment with single-layer PTFE-CS in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention are scant.

The impact of downstream coronary stenosis on fractional flow reserve assessment of intermediate left main coronary artery disease: human validation.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine the impact of downstream coronary stenosis in the left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) or left circumflex coronary artery (LCx) on the assessment of fractional flow reserve (FFR) across an intermediate left main coronary artery (LMCA) stenosis in humans with the pressure wire positioned in the nondiseased downstream vessel.

Background: Accurate assessment of intermediate LMCA disease is critical for guiding decisions regarding revascularization. In theory, FFR across an intermediate LMCA stenosis will be affected by downstream disease, even if the pressure wire is positioned in the nondiseased downstream vessel.

Depth of valve implantation, conduction disturbances and pacemaker implantation with CoreValve and CoreValve Accutrak system for Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation, a multi-center study.

Background: Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation (TAVI) is now considered an indispensable treatment strategy in high operative risk patients with severe, symptomatic aortic stenosis. However, conduction disturbances and the need for Permanent Pacemaker (PPM) implantation after TAVI with the CoreValve prosthesis still remain frequent.

Methods And Results: We aimed to evaluate the implantation depth, the incidence and predictors of new conduction disturbances, and the need for PPM implantation within the first month after TAVI, using the new Accutrak CoreValve delivery system (ACV), compared to the previous generation CoreValve (non-ACV).

Single bolus intravenous regadenoson injection versus central venous infusion of adenosine for maximum coronary hyperaemia in fractional flow reserve measurement.

Aims: The aim of this study was to compare the hyperaemic effect of a single bolus regadenoson injection to a central venous adenosine infusion for inducing hyperaemia in the measurement of fractional flow reserve (FFR).

Methods And Results: One hundred patients scheduled for FFR measurement were enrolled. FFR was first measured by IV adenosine (140 µg/kg/min), thereafter by IV bolus regadenoson injection (400 µg), followed by another measurement by IV adenosine and bolus injection of regadenoson.

Coronary spasm after the topical use of cocaine in nasal surgery.

Background: Cocaine is a frequently used recreational drug which imposes important health problems with even life-threatening cardiotoxicity. The therapeutic use of cocaine is nowadays restricted to topical anesthesia in ophthalmological and nasal surgery but the possible hazards of this local anesthesia are not always fully appreciated.

Case Report: A 51-year old male patient with moderate cardiovascular risk profile underwent elective nasal surgery and cocaine was used as a local anesthetic.

Transesophageal echocardiography for cardiac thromboembolic risk assessment in patients with severe, symptomatic aortic valve stenosis referred for potential transcatheter aortic valve implantation.

Stroke is a devastating complication after transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) and might partially be related to cardiac embolization. The aim of this single-center prospective study was to determine the incidence of intracardiac thrombi and left atrial spontaneous echo contrast (SEC), both known predictors of cardiac embolic stroke, in patients referred for potential TAVI. One hundred four consecutive patients with severe symptomatic aortic valve stenosis and at high or very high risk for surgery were included and underwent transesophageal echocardiography.

Intercostal artery pseudoaneurysm: a rare complication of transaortic transcatheter aortic valve implantation.

In this case report, we present an 86-year old patient with an intercostal pseudoaneurysm after transaortic transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI). This new technique of a transaortic approach is considered a possible alternative to the more usual transfemoral, trans-subclavian or transapical access site, mainly in patients with extensive peripheral arterial disease. A mini-thoracotomy or mini-sternotomy is needed to access the ascending aorta.

Acalculous cholecystitis and tamponade: an unusual combination?

Although pericardial effusion is a well-known feature of Churg-Strauss syndrome, cardiac tamponade has rarely been encountered. The present report describes a case of Churg-Strauss syndrome that presented as an acute cholecystitis and was complicated by tamponade. Histopathological exam of both pericardium and gall bladder was conclusive for Churg-Strauss syndrome.

Effect of Morris water maze diameter on visual-spatial learning in different mouse strains.

The Morris water maze task is a widely used tool to assess hippocampus-dependent learning and memory in rodents. Performance depends upon several factors including not only the traits of the experimental animals, but also apparatus and protocol characteristics. The present study aimed at investigating the effect of maze diameter on acquisition and probe trial performance in three commonly used strains: C57Bl/6, BALB/c, and 129/SvEvBrd mice.