Concomitant Purulent Pericarditis and Pleuritis Due to Following Endobronchial Biopsy for Pulmonary Sarcoidosis.

The authors present a very rare case of bacterial purulent pericarditis due to 2 weeks following an endobronchial ultrasound bronchoscopy. On his presentation, he was in cardiac tamponade, for which he underwent an emergent pericardiocentesis with purulent drainage. Similar organisms grew in his left pleural effusion.

Watchman FLX Implantation for Challenging Left Atrial Appendage Anatomy: Case-Based Discussion.

Left atrial appendage (LAA) occlusion devices provided an acceptable and valid alternative to anticoagulation among patients with atrial fibrillation who carry high bleeding risk. Watchman device is non-inferior to oral anticoagulation to prevent cerebrovascular accidents. The presence of a longer distal portion of the older generation Watchman led to exclusion of patients with prohibitive anatomy of the LAA such as chicken-wing morphology or shallow LAA.

Large Cystic Intracardiac Mass Overlying Left Atrial Appendage Occlusion Device: A Case Report and Literature Review.

• The Watchman device is a possibility for patients with an elevated risk of stroke or bleeding. • Device-related infection is extremely uncommon. • Patient screening and selection prior to Watchman implantation are of vital importance.

Mechanical Circulatory Support for the Failing Heart: Continuous-Flow Left Ventricular Assist Devices.

Background: Heart transplantation remains the definitive therapy for patients with advanced heart failure; however, owing to limited donor organ availability and long wait times, continuous-flow left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) have become standard therapy.

Methods: This review summarizes the history, progression, function, and basic management of LVADs. Additionally, we provide some clinical pearls and important caveats for managing this unique patient population.