Long-term clinical outcomes after deployment of femoral vascular closure devices in coronary angiography and percutaneous coronary intervention: an observational single-centre registry follow-up.

Objectives: There are few data evaluating the long-term effect of femoral vascular closure devices (FCDs) on patients' clinical outcome. We aim to evaluate the incidence of peripheral vascular disease (PVD) in patients who received FCD following its deployment in coronary angiography and percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) procedures.

Design And Setting: Observational study of a single-centre registry.

Type A aortic intramural hematoma: clinical features and outcomes in Chinese patients.

Background: The purpose of this study was to describe the clinical characteristics and clinical outcomes for Chinese patients with type A intramural hematoma (IMH).

Methods And Results: We studied 90 patients with Stanford type A acute aortic syndrome who presented to our institution from 1998 to 2005 and evaluated the presentation, management, and clinical outcomes of acute IMH by comparing these patients with those diagnosed with classical aortic dissection (AD). A total of 34 patients had IMH and they tended to be older (69.

Long term clinical outcomes after deployment of femoral vascular closure devices in coronary angiography and percutaneous coronary intervention.

Background: We evaluated the long term clinical outcomes of femoral vascular closure devices following its deployment in coronary angiography and percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) procedures.

Methods: From June 2000 to September 2004, 265 patients who received femoral vascular closure devices after coronary angiography and PCIs were enrolled into the study. Patients' medical records were reviewed and vascular complications within 1 year of follow-up period were recorded.

Dual coronary fistulas complicated with significant left to right heart shunt in an elderly patient.

Dual coronary artery fistula is a rare clinical entity and their clinical significance remains unknown. We hereby report a case of right coronary artery and left anterior descending artery fistula to pulmonary artery complicated with clinical significant left to right shunt (1.6:1) who remained clinically well at the age of 85 without percutaneous or surgical closure.

New-onset heart failure after permanent right ventricular apical pacing in patients with acquired high-grade atrioventricular block and normal left ventricular function.

Introduction: Emerging data have suggested that right ventricular (RV) apical pacing results in progressive left ventricular (LV) dysfunction and contributes to the development of heart failure (HF). This study aimed to investigate the prevalence and clinical predictors for the development of new-onset HF after long-term RV apical pacing in patients with acquired atrioventricular (AV) block who require permanent pacing.

Methods: We studied the clinical outcomes after long-term RV apical pacing for acquired AV block in 304 patients without a prior history of HF.

Cardiac resynchronization therapy optimization by ultrasonic cardiac output monitoring (USCOM) device.

Objectives: We investigated the accuracy and feasibility of a 2D echo-independent ultrasonic continuous wave Doppler cardiac output monitoring device (USCOM) operated by trained nurse for the atrio-ventricular interval (AVI) optimization in cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT).

Background: CRT is of proven benefit in patients with advanced chronic heart failure and ventricular conduction delay. Appropriate AVI selection is critical to optimize hemodynamic in CRT.

Emerging trends of community acquired infective endocarditis.

Background: To obtain epidemiological information and to evaluate the emerging trend of incidence and clinical features of community acquired infective endocarditis (IE) in Hong Kong.

Methods: Population-based survey in a regional hospital in Hong Kong which served 0.55 million population over an 11-year period was conducted.

The incremental benefit of rate-adaptive pacing on exercise performance during cardiac resynchronization therapy.

Objectives: The purpose of this research was to investigate the effect of using rate-adaptive pacing and atrioventricular interval (AVI) adaptation on exercise performance during cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT).

Background: The potential incremental benefits of using rate-adaptive pacing and AVI adaptation with CRT during exercise have not been studied.

Methods: We studied 20 patients with heart failure, chronotropic incompetence (<85% age-predicted heart rate [AP-HR] and <80% HR reserve), and implanted with CRT.

Smoking, alcohol drinking and non-fatal coronary heart disease in Hong Kong Chinese.

Purpose: To examine whether smoking, alcohol drinking and other risk factors were associated with non-fatal coronary heart disease (CHD) in Hong Kong Chinese.

Methods: A case control study was carried out with 598 CHD hospital cases (431 men, 167 women) and 1100 community controls (663 men, 437 women). Standardized questionnaires were used and blood lipids were measured using standard methods.