A New Inherited Syndrome Causing Sudden Cardiac Death with Distinct ST-Segment Depression and Ankyrin-2-Mutation.

Introduction: Sudden cardiac death (SCD) is a serious threat. In individuals under the age of 35 years sudden arrhythmic death is the most frequent cause. In younger persons, genetically determined cardiac diseases (eg, cardiomyopathies and ion-channel diseases) account for an important proportion of these cases.

Rationale and design of the VAST-AF trial: A randomized controlled, blinded, clinical trial to evaluate transcutaneous vagal nerve stimulation for the prevention of persistent atrial fibrillation recurrence.

Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most prevalent cardiac arrhythmia and is linked to significant symptoms and an elevated risk of heart failure, thromboembolism and disabling stroke. Not only do patients suffer from AF and the concomitant complications, but it is a great economic burden for healthcare systems all over the world. Despite remarkable progress in the field of AF, the basic mechanisms of AF development remain unresolved.

Comparative Case-Control analysis of a dedicated self-expanding Biolimus A9-eluting Bifurcation stent versus provisional or mandatory side branch intervention strategies in the treatment of coronary bifurcation lesions.

Background: In a number of coronary bifurcation lesions, both the main vessel and the side branch (SB) need stent coverage.

Objectives: To analyze the procedural performance and the impact on radiation times (RT) and contrast medium consumption (CMC) of the Axxess™ stent system (Biosensors, Switzerland) treating de novo bifurcation lesions (DBL).

Methods: One hundred and ten consecutive prospectively enrolled cases (Axxess Group) and 110 age, sex, and lesion location matched controls undergoing mandatory (Group A, n = 56) or provisional (Group B, n = 54) SB intervention were analyzed.

A systematic diagnostic and therapeutic approach for the treatment of patients after cardio-pulmonary resuscitation: a prospective evaluation of 212 patients over 5 years.

A literature on systematic treatment protocols for patients after resuscitation for cardiac arrest is lacking. We evaluated a systematic protocol, including ECG, echocardiogram, urgent cardiac catheterisation ("STEMI-like" workflow), CT scans, laboratory findings, IABP, hypothermia, and cMRI, prospectively over 5 years. The primary endpoint was the Cerebral Performance Category Scale (CPCS).

Incidence, predictors, and outcome of inadvertent malposition of transvenous pacing or defibrillation lead in the left heart.

Aims: Inadvertent lead malposition (ILM) in the left heart is a potential cause of thromboembolism and, therefore, a complication of heart rhythm device implantation [HRDI: pacemaker, implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD), cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT)]. The aim of the study was to report the incidence and clinical outcome of ILM.

Methods And Results: Postoperative lateral and posterior-anterior chest X-rays of all consecutive patients undergoing HRDI from 2007 through 2012 were retrospectively analysed.

Characteristics and outcome of congenital left ventricular aneurysm and diverticulum: Analysis of 809 cases published since 1816.

Background: Congenital left ventricular aneurysm (LVA) or diverticulum (LVD) is rare cardiac anomalies. We aimed to analyse the clinical characteristics and outcome in all ever published patients.

Methods: MEDLINE, Web of science, Google and EMBASE, and reference lists of relevant articles were searched for publications reporting on LVA or LVD patients.

Patients ≥ 75 years with acute coronary syndrome but without critical epicardial coronary disease: prevalence, characteristics, and outcome.

Objective: Absence of significant epicardial coronary artery disease (CAD) in patients with acute onset of chest pain and elevation of myocardial necrosis markers is occasionally observed. The aim of this study was to analyse the clinical characteristics and outcome of such patients with advanced age.

Methods: We retrospectively analysed 4,311 patients with acute onset of chest pain plus necrosis marker elevation.

Acute coronary syndrome without critical epicardial coronary disease: prevalence, characteristics, and outcome.

Background: Absence of significant epicardial coronary artery stenosis in patients with acute onset of chest pain and elevation of myocardial necrosis markers is occasionally observed. The aim of this study was to retrospectively analyze the clinical characteristics and the outcome of such patients.

Methods: All patients with myocardial infarction (MI) but without significant coronary artery stenosis (≥50%) on angiography from May 2002 to April 2011 were compared with patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention due to non-ST-elevation MI (NSTEMI).

Incidence of adverse cardiac events 5 years after polymer-free sirolimus eluting stent implantation: Results from the prospective Bad Berka Yukon Choice™ registry.

Objectives: Drug-eluting stents (DES) constitute a major achievement in preventing re-stenosis, concerns remain regarding the increased inflammatory responses associated with the polymers used. This analysis focuses on outcomes in patients receiving the polymer-free sirolimus-eluting stent system YUKON-Choice (Yukon-DES, Translumina, Germany).

Methods: From 01/2006-09/2008 all patients receiving Yukon-DES (≥2.

Treatment of coronary bifurcation lesions: stent-covering of the side branch with and without PCI of the side branch: a retrospective analysis of all consecutive patients.

Background: Treatment of coronary bifurcation lesions is a complex problem.

Methods: This retrospective single-center study included all consecutive patients with PCI of coronary bifurcations with stent covering of the side branch (SB) between January 2008 - August 2011.

Results: Our study group (n = 98) was group A (n = 64, 65.

Acute coronary syndrome without significant stenosis on angiography: characteristics and prognosis.

The characterization of patients who have acute coronary syndrome (ACS) without critical stenosis is unclear. First, we wanted to learn more about the angiographic and demographic characteristics of patients with non-ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction who were not in need of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) or coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). Second, we wanted to look for further cardiac events during follow-up.

Prevalence and outcome of congenital left ventricular aneurysms and diverticula in an adult population.

Objectives: We sought to investigate the prevalence and clinical outcome of congenital left ventricular aneurysms (LVAs) and diverticula (LVD) in a large adult population.

Methods: We retrospectively studied the left ventricular angiograms of 12,271 consecutive patients undergoing cardiac catheterization at our institution and analyzed the medical records of the patients.

Results: The overall prevalence of LVA/LVD was 0.

Incidence and outcome of femoral vascular complications among 18,165 patients undergoing cardiac catheterisation.

Background: Arteriovenous fistulas (AVF) and arterial pseudoaneurysms (PSA) are potentially harmful complications of diagnostic and interventional cardiac catheterisation. Incidence, risk factors and clinical outcome are not well defined yet, although important for stratification and treatment.

Methods: A total of 18,165 consecutive patients undergoing cardiac catheterisation were enrolled in our prospective registry.

Tako-Tsubo-like cardiomyopathy: specific ECG findings, characterization and clinical findings in a European single center.

Objectives: A newly discovered heart syndrome mimicking acute coronary syndrome has been termed 'Tako-Tsubo cardiomyopathy' (TTC). Differentiation from acute myocardial infarction using the ECG is an important issue in clinical practice.

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed patients admitted for cardiac catheterization between September 2003 and September 2006.

A new vascular closure device for the transradial approach: the D Stat Radial system.

Background: The transradial approach is associated with low complication rates. The D Stat Radial vascular closure system offers hemostatic pressure locally at the puncture site with residual venous flow.

Methods: We prospectively included 113 consecutive patients presenting between August 2006 and December 2006.

Percutaneous thrombin injection for treatment of iatrogenic femoral artery pseudoaneurysms: a case for caution.

The case of a patient who developed a femoral artery pseudoaneurysm following cardiac catheterization is described. After 2 failed attempts of ultrasound-guided compression repair, the patient underwent percutaneous thrombin injection with, beside of complete closure of the pseudoaneurysm, a severe limb ischemia due to distal thrombin migration with consecutive clot formation finally resulting in thigh amputation of the affected leg. Indications, advantages, and disadvantages of various options for the treatment of iatrogenic femoral artery pseudoaneurysms (vascular surgery, ultrasound-guided compression, percutaneous thrombin injection, and other nonsurgical treatment modalities), as well as risk factors for distal migration of liquid thrombin after percutaneous injection, are discussed in this report.

[Congenital left ventricular aneurysms and diverticula. Pathophysiology, clinical relevance, and treatment].

A congenital left ventricular aneurysm or diverticulum is a rare cardiac malformation described in 418 cases since the first description in 1816, being associated with other cardiac, vascular or thoracoabdominal abnormalities in about 75%. It appears to be a developmental anomaly, starting in the 4th embryonic week. Diagnosis can be made after exclusion of coronary artery disease, local or systemic inflammation or traumatic causes as well as cardiomyopathies.

Safety and efficacy of a new filter-based protection system for aorto-coronary bypass graft interventions: the ev3 Spider device.

Purpose: Treatment of aorto-coronary bypass grafts without a protection devices is associated with a high incidence of ischemic events. The Spider(R) system is a new protection device.

Methods And Results: We included 40 consecutive patients with 50 lesions and stenosis > 50% in bypass grafts.

Direct coronary stenting versus predilatation followed by stent placement.

Direct stenting without antecedent dilatation may reduce procedural time, costs, and radiation exposure, and may result in less vessel injury. The purpose of this investigation was to compare immediate and long-term clinical and angiographic outcomes of direct stenting with stent placement after initial balloon dilation. Three hundred thirty-five symptomatic patients with single or multiple coronary lesions (diameter reduction 60% to 95%) of < or =30 mm length and with a vessel diameter of 2.