Clinical Characteristics, Management, and Outcomes of Suspected Poststroke Acute Coronary Syndrome.

Background: Acute coronary syndrome (ACS) can complicate acute ischemic stroke, causing significant morbidity and mortality. To date, literatures that describe poststroke acute coronary syndrome and its morbidity and mortality burden are lacking.

Methods: This is a single center, retrospective study where clinical characteristics, cardiac evaluation, and management of patients with suspected poststroke ACS were compared and analyzed for their association with inpatient mortality and 1-year all-cause mortality.

Percutaneous Embolectomy of Serpentine Thrombus from the Right Atrium in a 51-Year-Old Man.

Treatment of large, fresh thrombi in the vascular system can be challenging. AngioVac, a cardiopulmonary pump system, has been used to remove large thrombi and even some tumors by a percutaneous route. We report here a case of a 51-year-old man who presented with a large thrombus (7.

Echocardiographic strain and mortality in Black Americans with end-stage renal disease on hemodialysis.

End-stage renal disease (ESRD) presents a significant health burden and is associated with high cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. This is particularly true in African Americans who generally have higher rates of cardiovascular mortality. Outcomes in ESRD are related to extent of cardiovascular disease, but markers for outcome are not clearly established.

Tricuspid Annular Plane Systolic Excursion and Its Association with Mortality in Critically Ill Patients.

Background: Transient left ventricular dysfunction can occur under conditions of extreme emotional or physiological stress. There is little data on right ventricular function in such situations.

Methods: One hundred twenty patients admitted to an ICU with a noncardiac illness were studied.

Prognostic value of prolonged QTc interval in patients with acute pulmonary embolism.

Background/objectives: Acute pulmonary embolism (PE) can be a life-threatening condition. Right ventricular function evaluated by echocardiography, brain natriuretic peptide levels and several patterns on the electrocardiogram have been utilized to guide treatment and prognosis. Case reports described heart rate corrected QT (QTc) prolongation as an ECG finding associated with PE.

Calcification of the mitral valve and annulus: systematic evaluation of effects on valve anatomy and function.

Background: Mitral annular calcification (MAC) is common in chronic kidney disease. It is associated with cardiovascular events and can cause valvular dysfunction, but it has not been systematically characterized. The aim of this prospective study was to assess the prevalence and distribution of MAC, its effects on leaflet motion, and its association with mitral stenosis and mitral regurgitation (MR) in a hemodialysis population.

Postoperative right ventricular failure after left ventricular assist device placement is predicted by preoperative echocardiographic structural, hemodynamic, and functional parameters.

Background: Right ventricular failure (RVF) after left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation results in significant morbidity and mortality. Preoperative parameters from transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) that predict RVF after LVAD implantation might identify patients in need of temporary or permanent right ventricular (RV) mechanical or inotropic support.

Methods And Results: Records of all patients who had preoperative TTE before implantation of a permanent LVAD at our institution from 2008 to 2011 were screened, and 55 patients (age 54 ± 16 years, 71% male) were included: 26 had LVAD implantation alone with no postoperative RVF, 16 had LVAD implantation alone but experienced postoperative RVF, and 13 had initial biventricular assist devices (BIVADs).