Rapidly Progressive Coronary Aneurysm: A Rare Case of Isolated Coronary Vasculitis With Recurrent Myocardial Infarction.

Isolated coronary arteritis without systemic involvement in adults is exceedingly rare. A 60-year-old patient developed recurrent non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarctions for 1 year. After an initial coronary angiogram that was normal, serial angiograms showed de novo aneurysm formation.

Acute coronay syndrome in a patient with severe hemophilia A: Dificult decisions.

Hemophilia A is an inherited coagulation disease characterized by factor VIII (FVIII) deficiency and is associated with high hemorrhagic risk, especially in its severe forms. As the average life expectancy of patients with hemophilia has increased, so has the prevalence of acute coronary events. There is however limited experience in dealing with them.

Heart and brain interactions in heart failure: Cognition, depression, anxiety, and related outcomes.

Background: Cognitive impairment, anxiety and depression are common in heart failure (HF) patients and its evolution is not fully understood.

Objectives: To assess the cognitive status of HF patients over time, its relation to anxiety and depression, and its prognostic impact.

Methods: Prospective, longitudinal, single center study including patients enrolled in a structured program for follow-up after hospital admission for HF decompensation.

Clinical impact of MultiPoint pacing in responders to cardiac resynchronization therapy.

Background: Cardiac resynchronization therapy demonstrated benefits in heart failure. However, only 60-70% are responders and only 22% are super-responders. MultiPoint pacing (MPP) improves structural remodeling, but data in responder patients is scarce.

Predictors of coronary artery disease in cardiac arrest survivors: coronary angiography for everyone? A single-center retrospective analysis.

Objective: To identify predictors of coronary artery disease in survivors of cardiac arrest, to define the best timing for coronary angiography and to establish the relationship between coronary artery disease and mortality.

Methods: This was a single-center retrospective study including consecutive patients who underwent coronary angiography after cardiac arrest.

Results: A total of 117 patients (63 ± 13 years, 77% men) were included.

Non-invasive telemonitoring improves outcomes in heart failure with reduced ejection fraction: a study in high-risk patients.

Aims: Non-invasive telemonitoring (TM) in patients with heart failure (HF) and reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (HFrEF) may be useful in the early diagnosis of HF decompensation, allowing therapeutic optimization and avoiding re-hospitalization. We describe a TM programme in this population and evaluate its effectiveness during a 12 month period.

Methods And Results: We conducted a single-centre study of patients discharged from hospital after decompensated HF, allocated into three groups: prospective TM programme, prospective HF protocol follow-up programme (PFP) with no TM facilities, and retrospective propensity-matched usual care (UC).

The CTo-aBCDE score: A new predictor of success in chronic total occlusions.

Introduction: Patient selection for percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in chronic total occlusions (CTOs) is crucial to procedural success. Our aim was to identify independent predictors of success in CTO PCI in order to create an accurate score.

Methods: In a single-center observational registry of CTO PCI, demographic and clinical data and anatomical characteristics of coronary lesions were recorded.

Modified snare technique improves left ventricular lead implant success for cardiac resynchronization therapy.

Background: Left ventricular (LV) lead placement is the most challenging aspect of cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) device implantation, with a failure rate of up to 10% due to complex coronary anatomies. We describe a modified snare technique for LV lead placement and evaluate its safety and efficacy in cases when standard methods fail.

Methods And Results: A prospective study was conducted of patients indicated for a CRT implant.

Protocol-based follow-up program for heart failure patients: Impact on prognosis and quality of life.

Introduction: Heart failure is associated with high rates of readmission and mortality, and there is a need for measures to improve outcomes. This study aims to assess the impact of the implementation of a protocol-based follow-up program for heart failure patients on readmission and mortality rates and quality of life.

Methods: A quasi-experimental study was performed, with a prospective registry of 50 consecutive patients discharged after hospitalization for acute heart failure.

Hidden hospital mortality in patients with sepsis discharged from the intensive care unit.

Objective: To evaluate the impact of the presence of sepsis on in-hospital mortality after intensive care unit discharge.

Methods: Retrospective, observational, single-center study. All consecutive patients discharged alive from the intensive care unit of Hospital Vila Franca de Xira (Portugal) from January 1 to December 31, 2015 (N = 473) were included and followed until death or hospital discharge.

Omalizumab induced Takotsubo syndrome: case report.

Background: Omalizumab is a humanized monoclonal anti-immunoglobulin E antibody, approved for the treatment of spontaneous chronic urticaria, with high efficacy and an excellent safety profile. Although its adverse effects are rare, allergic reactions and cardiovascular events were previously described.

Case Summary: The authors describe the case of a 75-year-old woman, followed at the outpatient dermatology clinic due to spontaneous chronic urticaria, treated with omalizumab 300 mg every 4 weeks.