Vulnerable carina anatomy and ostial lesions in the left anterior descending coronary artery after floating-stent treatment.

Introduction And Objectives: Percutaneous coronary intervention for ostial lesions of the left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) remains a complex procedure. The aim of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of a method of treatment that we have termed the floating-stent approach.

Methods: The study involved 71 patients with ostial LAD lesions who underwent implantation of a drug-eluting stent in the LAD, which totally or partially covered the ostium of the circumflex artery.

Safety and predictors of complications with a new accelerated dobutamine stress echocardiography protocol.

Background: This study sought to document the safety of a new accelerated dobutamine-atropine stress echocardiography protocol and to analyze its complications.

Methods: Dobutamine-atropine stress echocardiography studies were performed using an incremental dobutamine infusion protocol from 20 to 40 microg/kg/min in 3-minute stages and followed by atropine.

Results: A total of 962 patients were included.

[Percutaneous closure of large atrial septal defects].

Background: Percutaneous occlusion of secundum type atrial septal defect with an Amplatzer device is an effective treatment alternative. However, there is little information about the use of this treatment for large defects.

Patients And Method: We retrospectively analyzed the initial and follow-up findings in 31 patients aged 41 18 years who had large atrial septal defects (>= 30 mm diameter).

Dobutamine stress echocardiography in the diagnosis of coronary artery disease in women with chest pain: comparison with different noninvasive tests.

Background: Diagnosis of coronary artery disease(CAD) in women remains elusive. The classical diagnostic armamentarium has been found to be very limited. Dobutamine stress echocardiography has emerged as a powerful test in assessing CAD in the general population, but most studies failed to include women.

Effectiveness of percutaneous device occlusion for atrial septal defect in adult patients with pulmonary hypertension.

Background: Adult patients with atrial septal defect (ASD) and pulmonary hypertension have a more advanced degree of disease, frequently having functional class deterioration and atrial arrhythmias when they are aged >40 years. Surgery at this age prolongs life expectancy and limits functional deterioration. Although percutaneous ASD device occlusion is an accepted alternative to surgery, there is limited information on the immediate and long-term effects of device occlusion in middle-aged and elderly patients with ASD and pulmonary hypertension.

[Atrial hematoma in cardiac postoperative patients and the diagnostic use of transesophageal echocardiography].

The formation of atrial hematomas with a mass effect in patients who have undergone cardiac surgery originates a clinical and hemodynamic syndrome that is difficult to assess. Hypotension with high right atrial pressure and equalization of pulmonary wedge pressure is not always present due to the irregular distribution of the hematoma in cardiac chambers. Transesophageal echocardiography is a useful diagnostic procedure for atrial hematomas, differentiating them from other similar clinical and hemodynamic situations like left ventricular or prosthetic valve dysfunction.

[Highly aggressive early prosthetic endocarditis by S. epidermidis].

Prosthetic valve endocarditis is considered to be 15% of all infectious endocarditis in developed countries, more frequently during the first 45 days after surgery. Between 45 and 60% of patients with prosthetic valve endocarditis present periannular involve. The aortic valve injury and early symptoms onset after surgery are related with a higher power of aggressive prosthetic endocarditis invasion.