Venous-Left Atrial Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation Configuration Use in Right Ventricular Failure and Tricuspid Ring.

Mechanical circulatory support devices are used to support the heart in cardiogenic shock. We present a case of demonstrating the feasible use of left ventricular assistive device with reverse configuration to support severe right ventricular failure in a patient with recent tricuspid annuloplasty ring.

Myocardial infarct size and sex-related angiographic differences in myocardial infarction in nonobstructive coronary artery disease.

Background: Myocardial infarction in nonobstructive coronary artery disease (MINOCA) is a recently described infarct subtype. There are few studies that examine coronary artery disease (CAD) extent, MI size and type, and treatment differences at hospital discharge compared to myocardial infarction in obstructive coronary artery disease (MICAD), or that explore sex-specific MINOCA attributes of coronary anatomy and infarct size.

Methods: Our study population consisted of a single tertiary-center of consecutive patients that had coronary angiography for acute MI between 2005 and 2015.

Distal radial artery access among cases with radial artery occlusion for primary percutaneous intervention.

Radial artery access is associated with lower bleeding risks and higher patient satisfactions compared with femoral access. It is currently the preferred access for coronary catheterization and interventions, and increasingly used for peripheral and cranial vascular interventions. Herein, we present a patient who had a recent procedures included right transradial right vertebral artery and peripheral vascular interventions.

Percutaneous closure of right coronary to superior vena cava fistula.

Coronary artery to superior vena cava (SVC) fistula is a very rare congenital anomaly of the heart. It typically follows the course of sinoatrial-nodal branch. It can originate from the right coronary or circumflex artery.

An update on the CardioMEMS pulmonary artery pressure sensor.

Heart failure (HF) is one of the most important healthcare issues due to its prevalence, high morbidity and mortality, as well as its economic burden. A shift in the healthcare model towards reducing inpatient hospitalizations might have a significant impact on HF-related costs and quality of life. Recently, wireless monitoring has begun to be an essential part of the management in the patient with HF.

Right ventricular failure following placement of a percutaneous left ventricular assist device.

Right ventricular (RV) dysfunction following surgical implantation of a left ventricular assist device (LVAD) is a well-documented phenomenon, and it is associated with poor outcomes. We are reporting a 25-year-old male patient who presented to the hospital with flu-like symptoms, hypotension and acute hypoxic respiratory failure. The patient's Laboratory data was significant for elevated troponin, and his Chest X-ray showed acute pulmonary edema.

Effect of digitalis level on readmission and mortality rate among heart failure reduced ejection fraction patients.

Introduction: Digitalis has been used for over 200 years to treat patients with heart failure, and evidence supports its use to improve clinical symptoms and quality of life, but not survival. The objective of this retrospective study was to evaluate the effects of digitalis on readmission and mortality in patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) who were receiving current guideline recommended medical therapy.

Methods: We reviewed medical record data from a retrospective cohort study of 1047 patients admitted to the hospital from 2005 to 2014 with decompensated HFrEF.

Patent foramen ovale closure versus medical therapy in cases with cryptogenic stroke, meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Background: PFO is more common in cases with cryptogenic stroke compared to cases with no stroke or stroke of identified etiology. Several randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing PFO closure with medical therapy have been published with controversial findings.

Methods: PubMed, Embase and Cochrane library databases were searched for RCT comparing PFO closure with medical therapy including antiplatelet therapy (aspirin or clopidogrel or combination) or anticoagulation.

Cardiac amyloidosis: pathogenesis, clinical context, diagnosis and management options.

Amyloidosis covers a group of disorders that can manifest in virtually any organ system in the body and is thought to be secondary to misfolding of extracellular proteins with subsequent deposition in tissues. The precursor protein that is produced in excess defines the specific amyloid type. This requires histopathological confirmation using Congo-red dye with its characteristic demonstration of green birefringence under cross-polarized light.

Ultrafiltration versus intravenous loop diuretics in patients with acute decompensated heart failure: a meta-analysis of clinical trials.

Background Intravenous loop diuretics are the first-line therapy for acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF) but many patients are discharged with unresolved congestion resulting in higher re-hospitalization and mortality rates. Ultrafiltration (UF) is a promising intervention for ADHF. However, studies comparing UF to diuretics have been inconsistent in their clinical outcomes.

Aerobic anaerobic exercise training effects on the cardiovascular system.

Physical exercise is one of the most effective methods to help prevent cardiovascular (CV) disease and to promote CV health. Aerobic and anaerobic exercises are two types of exercise that differ based on the intensity, interval and types of muscle fibers incorporated. In this article, we aim to further elaborate on these two categories of physical exercise and to help decipher which provides the most effective means of promoting CV health.

Association between serum vitamin D levels and gastric cancer: A retrospective chart analysis.

Aim: To determine whether there is an increased risk of gastric adenocarcinoma associated with vitamin D deficiency (VDd).

Methods: A retrospective case control study was performed of all patients diagnosed with gastric adenocarcinoma between 2005 and 2015. After we excluded the patients without a documented vitamin D level, 49 patients were included in our study.

Morbidity and Mortality of Congestive Heart Failure in Trauma Patients.

Background: Cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in heart failure (HF) patients comprise a major health and economic burden, especially when readmission rate and length of stay (LOS) are considered. With increasing average life expectancy, HF prevalence continues to rise. Diseases such as diabetes mellitus, hypertension and ischemic heart disease continue to be the leading causes of HF.

Risk factors for coronary artery disease and acute coronary syndrome in patients ≤40 years old.

Objective: In this study, we assessed the risk factor profile in premature coronary artery disease (CAD) and acute coronary syndrome for adults ≤40 years old.

Methods: A retrospective chart analysis of 397 patients ≤40 years old admitted from 2005 to 2014 for chest pain and who underwent coronary arteriography.

Results: Of 397 patients that had undergone coronary arteriography, 54% had CAD while 46% had normal coronary arteries.

Primary squamous cell carcinoma of the rectum: a case report and literature review.

Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the rectum is a rare occurrence with an incidence rate of 0.1-0.25% per 1,000 cases.

Coronary artery disease in patients with body mass index ≥30 kg/m(2): a retrospective chart analysis.

Objective: In this study, we evaluated obesity as a single risk factor for coronary artery disease (CAD), along with the synergistic effect of obesity and other risk factors.

Methods: A retrospective study of 7,567 patients admitted to hospital for chest pain from 2005 to 2014 and underwent cardiac catheterization. Patients were divided into two groups: obese and normal with body mass index (BMI) calculated as ≥30 kg/m(2) and <25, respectively.

Amyloidosis of the gastrointestinal tract and the liver: clinical context, diagnosis and management.

Amyloidosis is a group of disorders that can manifest in virtually any organ system in the body and is thought to be secondary to misfolding of extracellular proteins with subsequent deposition in tissues. The precursor protein that is produced in excess defines the specific amyloid type. This requires histopathological confirmation using Congo red dye with its characteristic demonstration of green birefringence under cross-polarized light.

Morbidity and mortality of infective endocarditis in a hospital system in New York City serving a diverse urban population.

Infective endocarditis (IE) is a severe illness associated with significant morbidity and mortality. The primary purpose of this study was to evaluate morbidity and mortality of IE in a hospital serving the most diverse area in New York City. An analysis of 209 patients admitted to the hospital from 2000 to 2012 who were found to have IE based on modified Duke criteria.

Serum vitamin D levels correlate to coronary artery disease severity: a retrospective chart analysis.

Background: The pro-atherosclerotic nature of vitamin D deficiency has been shown to increase cardiovascular events. We further emphasized and evaluated the severity of coronary artery disease (CAD) with varying levels of vitamin D in relation to age, gender, ethnicity and baseline confounders.

Methods: A retrospective, single-center study of 9,399 patients admitted between 2005 and 2014 for chest pain who underwent coronary angiography.

Hepatic sarcoidosis: pathogenesis, clinical context, and treatment options.

Sarcoidosis is typically characterized as a non-caseating granulomatous disease that has the ability to affect multiple different organ systems. Although extra-thoracic sarcoidosis can occur in the presence and also without lung involvement, isolated extra-pulmonary disease is rare. The liver is the third most commonly affected organ system after the lungs and lymph nodes.

Avoiding transthoracic echocardiography and transesophageal echocardiography for patients with variable body mass indexes in infective endocarditis.

Background: Echocardiography has been a popular modality used to aid in the diagnosis of infective endocarditis (IE) with the modified Duke criteria. We evaluated the necessity between the uses of either a transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) or transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) in patients with a body mass index (BMI) greater than or equal to 25 kg/m(2) and less than 25 kg/m(2).

Methods: A single-centered, retrospective study of 198 patients between 2005 and 2012 diagnosed with IE based on modified Duke criteria.