Mitral leaflet separation index in assessing the severity of mitral stenosis.

Determining the severity of mitral stenosis (MS) is important for both prognostic and therapeutic reasons. The mitral valve area (MVA) can be measured by planimetry, pressure half-time, continuity equation, and proximal isovelocity surface area methods. In this study, we propose a novel yet simple, independent measure of MS severity-the mitral leaflet separation (MLS) index.

Comparison of efficacy and adverse effect profile of high dose versus standard dose atorvastatin in acute ST elevation myocardial infarction patients.

Objective: To compare the efficacy and adverse effects of high and standard dose atorvastatin in ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients.

Design: A prospective, single-centre, randomised, double blind study.

Setting: A tertiary care centre in Kerala, India, from January to June 2009.

Congenital subclavian arteriovenous malformation causing cardiac failure in an adult.

Congenital arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) of the thoracic region are rarely reported in adults. The authors report an unusual case of a 30-year-old man who presented with a large congenital AVM and heart failure. The diagnosis was made using transthoracic Doppler echocardiography and computed tomography.