Percutaneous transcatheter aortic valve closure successfully treats left ventricular assist device-associated aortic insufficiency and improves cardiac hemodynamics.

Objectives: This study sought to assess the effectiveness of a novel percutaneous method to treat left ventricular assist device (LVAD)-associated severe aortic insufficiency (AI) in a series of patients determined to be poor reoperative candidates.

Background: The increased use of continuous-flow LVAD in advanced heart failure has led to marked changes in the management of patients with this condition. However, secondary AI can become a significant complication.

Acute postoperative shingles after thoracic sympathectomy for hyperhidrosis.

Shingles secondary to reactivation of a previous varicella-zoster virus infection has been reported to develop within surgical wounds and after trauma. We report the case of a 17-year-old girl with history of chicken pox in childhood who had acute postoperative shingles develop along the T3-T4 dermatomes after thoracic sympathectomy for hyperhidrosis. The possible causes and precipitating factors are discussed.