Takayasu Arteritis Causing Aortitis and Aortic Regurgitation: A Totally Tubular Case Report.

• Echocardiography is the first-line test to diagnose the presence and cause of AR. • Acute aortic syndromes should be excluded in patients with AR and a thickened aortic root. • Multimodal imaging with cardiac CT and MRI complement TTE and TEE to diagnose secondary causes of AR.

The Parable of the Errant Chest Drain in the Heart: Is There Only 1 Option?

Accidental intraventricular placement of a pericardiocentesis catheter is a rare but well-recognized complication. Failure to achieve adequate hemostasis in the ventricular wall on removal of the catheter can potentially result in fatal consequences. Here we describe a case in which a chest drain (10.

Autopsy translates in Arabic to al-tashreeh. Could this term influence its acceptability?

It is not unusual for laypersons to object on the conduct of an autopsy of a loved one for fear of disfigurement or burial delays. In this paper, we discuss a new possible reason for objection among Arabic speaking communities related to the language. The Arabic word for autopsy is "al-tashreeh" which, when examining its other linguistic uses, might result in wrong inferences among laypersons.

The association between prior use of aspirin and/or warfarin and the in-hospital management and outcomes in patients presenting with acute coronary syndromes: insights from the Global Registry of Acute Coronary Events (GRACE).

Background: The role of acetylsalicylic acid (ASA [aspirin]) and warfarin in secondary prevention after acute coronary syndromes (ACS) is well established. However, there are sparse data comparing the presentation and outcomes of patients who present with ACS while on ASA and/or warfarin therapy and those on neither.

Methods: Using data from the Canadian Global Registry of Acute Coronary Events (GRACE), we stratified 14,090 ACS patients into 4 groups according to prior use of antithrombotic therapies and compared in-hospital management and outcomes.

Impact of platelet glycoprotein IIb/IIIa receptor inhibitors on renal function in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction treated with primary or rescue percutaneous coronary intervention.

Aims: Worsening renal function in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) is associated with adverse clinical outcomes. We hypothesised that platelet glycoprotein IIb/IIIa receptor inhibitors (GPI) may decrease the rate of renal function deterioration in these patients through attenuation of platelet aggregation and the possible improvement of renal rheology and haemodynamics.

Methods And Results: Based on prospectively collected data, we analysed rates of renal function deterioration in 603 consecutive patients (mean age 58+/-13 years, males 82%) with STEMI treated with primary or rescue PCI.

Iraq War mortality estimates: a systematic review.

Background: In March 2003, the United States invaded Iraq. The subsequent number, rates, and causes of mortality in Iraq resulting from the war remain unclear, despite intense international attention. Understanding mortality estimates from modern warfare, where the majority of casualties are civilian, is of critical importance for public health and protection afforded under international humanitarian law.

Diabetes and coronary artery bypass surgery: an examination of perioperative glycemic control and outcomes.

Objective: To determine the adequacy of perioperative glycemic control in diabetic patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) and to explore the association between glycemic control and in-hospital morbidity/mortality.

Research Design And Methods: Retrospective cohort study of consecutive patients with diabetes undergoing CABG between April 2000 and March 2001 who survived at least 24 h postoperatively.

Results: Of the 291 patients in this study, 95% had type 2 diabetes and 40% had retinopathy, nephropathy, or neuropathy at baseline.