Value Set Hub: Software for developing and curating high-quality value sets.

Terminology value sets are central to research studies using real-world patient data. We describe the considerable challenges that arise when researchers develop value sets for their studies or reuse those made by others. We present Value Set Hub (VS-Hub), software to overcome these challenges, describing its design, implementation, features, use in the field, lessons learned, and future directions.

Macro-reentrant Single-loop Biatrial Flutter Appearing as Typical Atrial Flutter: Case Study and Review.

Biatrial flutter is a rare form of macro-reentrant atrial tachycardia that involves both the right and left atria. Single-loop biatrial flutter is typically associated with scarring of the septum from prior ablation or surgery and is generally made up of two interatrial connections-that is, the coronary sinus and Bachmann's bundle. Entrainment and high-density mapping allow for rapid diagnosis and development of a treatment strategy.

Early experience treating tricuspid valve endocarditis with a novel extracellular matrix cylinder reconstruction.

Objective: The short-term outcomes were evaluated in patients treated for tricuspid valve endocarditis using a novel extracellular matrix (ECM) cylinder reconstruction technique.

Methods: Patients with clinically significant tricuspid regurgitation whose valves were not repairable by conventional techniques underwent valve replacement with a cylindrical construct sewn out of CorMatrix ECM (CorMatrix Cardiovascular, Roswell, Ga). The cylinders were sized to the native valve dimensions and attached distally to the papillary muscles using polypropylene sutures and ECM pledgets, and proximally to the annulus using a running suture.

Repair of intervalvular fibrous body rupture during aortic valve replacement.

The intervalvular fibrosa, the structure that connects the mitral and the aortic valves, can be injured during aortic valve replacement. Although this complication is rare, it may require complex and extensive repair. Herein, we describe management of a damaged aortic-mitral curtain and fibrous body during tissue aortic valve replacement in a patient with mixed connective tissue disorder.

The hemodynamic signs of constrictive pericarditis can be mimicked by tricuspid regurgitation.

A case with clinical and hemodynamic findings consistent with constrictive pericarditis is reported. At surgery, the pericardium was not thickened or adherent to the epicardial wall. As suggested by echocardiography, a diagnosis of severe tricuspid regurgitation was confirmed.

Nonobstructive membranes of the left atrial appendage cavity: report of three cases.

A membranous structure causing functional stenosis at the mouth of the left atrial appendage (LAA) has been reported. In this study we describe the presence of nonobstructive membranes traversing the cavity of the LAA found incidentally on transesophageal echocardiography (TEE).

Survival in Infarct Related Intramyocardial Dissection Importance of Early Echocardiography and Prompt Surgery.

Infarct related intramyocardial dissection, an unusual mechanical complication associated with recent inferior/inferoposterior myocardial infarction, is characterized by a septal defect and a dissection tract that originates on the left side of the interventricular septum, extends beyond the septum into the right ventricular free wall, and subsequently re-enters the right ventricle. The utility of echocardiography for diagnosis has been described. Despite aggressive therapy, the prognosis of intramyocardial dissection is reported to be dismal.