Compensatory accessory pathway for complete atrioventricular block: 28-year follow-up.

We report a case of atrioventricular (AV) block diagnosed 28 years ago compensated by a functional accessory pathway. During follow-up, the accessory pathway conduction properties at rest deteriorated while the refractory properties were unchanged. At 46 years, the patient became symptomatic from bradycardia and a dual-chamber pacemaker was implanted.

[Should we advise our patients to drink wine?].

No study has shown that moderate wine consumption has any adverse effect on cardiovascular risk. Binge drinking induces a risk of thrombosis. The continuation of moderate wine consumption is reasonable and probably beneficial as secondary prevention.

Assessment of anti-ischemic and antianginal effect at trough plasma concentration and safety of trimetazidine MR 35 mg in patients with stable angina pectoris: a multicenter, double-blind, placebo-controlled study.

Objective: The study aimed to assess, at trough plasma concentration, the anti-ischemic and antianginal efficacy and tolerability of trimetazidine modified release (MR) 35 mg taken twice daily by patients with stable angina pectoris.

Design: This multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, international study started with a run-in period of 3 weeks with atenolol 50 mg/day and placebo, followed by a 6-month treatment period with once daily atenolol 50 mg and twice daily trimetazidine MR 35 mg or placebo.

Patients: The study involved 223 patients with stable angina pectoris (class II or III of the Canadian Cardiovascular Society [CCS] classification).

Acute Myocardial Infarction During Transesophageal Echocardiography.

We describe the occurrence of acute myocardial infarction during transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) in a patient with atrial fibrillation and underestimated angina. Such a case has not been previously reported in the literature. This case illustrates one of the possible complications of TEE, leading us to suggest systematic sedation in patients with angina in whom TEE is envisaged.