Clinically irrelevant circulating human leukocyte antigen antibodies in the presence of ventricular assist devices.

Introduction: Identification of anti-human leukocyte antigen (HLA) antibodies by single-antigen beads (SAB) allows for prediction of donor-specific crossmatches (virtual crossmatches), thus facilitating the allocation of organs from deceased donors. However, the clinical relevance of HLA antibodies identified by SAB has been less than clear. This study demonstrates that sera from cardiac transplant candidates with a ventricular assist device (VAD) or infection may contain clinically irrelevant antibodies that bind to the beads but not to lymphocytes.

[Multisite validation of CDT measurement by the %CDT TIA and the Tina Quant %CDT kits].

The measurement of CDT (Carbohydrate Deficient Transferrin) is an essential biological tool in the diagnosis and follow-up of alcohol abuse. It is also employed as a marker of abstinence for the restitution of driving licences. However, the precision of measurement, and the between laboratory homogeneity of the results are still discussed.

Left hemiparesis from atrial myxoma emboli.

Atrial Myxomas are benign primary tumors of the heart, arising mainly from the left atrium. Clinical signs and symptoms produced by atrial myxomas may be non-specific or result in mechanical obstruction of cardiac function, arrhythmias, and embolization. The authors present a case of a 60-year-old woman who developed total left hemiparesis resulting from left atrial myxoma embolization causing complete occlusion of the right middle cerebral artery.

Successful surgical repair of aortic dissection presenting with complete heart block.

Acute dissection of the ascending aorta can present with complete heart block if the dissecting hematoma involves the interatrial septum near the atrioventricular node. We report a case of acute type A dissection presenting with complete heart block treated with emergency grafting of the ascending aorta, aortic valve replacement, and coronary artery bypass grafting. The patient survived, although complete heart block persisted requiring permanent pacemaker implantation.