Cellularity and structure of fresh human coronary thrombectomy specimens; presence of cells with markers of progenitor cells.

Acute coronary syndromes and acute myocardial infarctions are often related to plaque rupture and the formation of thrombi at the site of the rupture. We examined fresh coronary thrombectomy specimens from patients with acute coronary syndromes and assessed their structure and cellularity. The thrombectomy specimens consisted of platelets, erythrocytes and inflammatory cells.

Angiosarcoma in a pregnant woman presenting with pericardial tamponade--a case report and review of the literature.

Although asymptomatic pericardial effusions are relatively common in pregnancy, their true incidence is not known. Symptomatic effusions are, however, rare in pregnancy. The authors present a rare case of pericardial tamponade complicating pregnancy with resulting diagnosis of angiosarcoma.

Hemorrhagic pheochromocytoma associated with systemic corticosteroid therapy and presenting as myocardial infarction with severe hypertension.

Pheochromocytomas classically present with paroxysms of hypertension and adrenergic symptoms including headaches, palpitations, tremor, and anxiety. However, these tumors can be clinically silent and occasionally present only when catecholamine release is up-regulated by exogenous stimuli. In addition, the clinical presentation of pheochromocytoma can mimic a number of more common medical conditions, including migraine headaches, cardiac arrhythmias, and myocardial infarction, making diagnosis difficult.

Examination of gender bias in the evaluation and treatment of angina pectoris by cardiologists.

One hundred fifty-eight patients (76 men and 82 women) presenting to an outpatient cardiology clinic with a new complaint of angina were prospectively followed to determine if there was a gender bias in the management of suspected coronary artery disease when physicians trained in cardiology managed their care. Overall, there were no differences in the percentage of women who underwent noninvasive evaluation, invasive evaluation, and treatment of suspected coronary artery disease compared with men.