Needle fragment embolism into the right ventricle: a rare cause of chest pain case report and literature review.

Chest pain in young adults is usually self-limited and of benign etiology. However, rare causes of chest pain must be considered in patients for whom initial diagnostic tests are negative, particularly if unusual risk factors are identified. The authors present a rare case describing a 27-year-old male intravenous drug user who developed transient chest pain most likely secondary to pericardial irritation caused by a needle fragment that embolized from a peripheral vein to his right ventricle.

Cardiac rhabdomyosarcoma.

Cardiac sarcoma is a very rare neoplasm and is difficult to diagnose. The case of a 51-year-old man with a left atrial tumour, locally recurrent three months after its surgical removal, is presented. Computed tomography showed metastatic spread to the lung parenchyma.

[Plasma homocysteine levels in patients with indications for cardiac revascularization].

The amino acid homocysteine is a further possible risk factor for the development of atherosclerosis. The authors examined at the First Medical Clinic, Second Medical Faculty Charles University in the course of 1994-1996 59 patients with manifest IHD who were examined by coronarography and because of a major finding were indicated for revascularization surgery. This group was compared with a control group of subjects of equal age without major findings on the coronary circulation.

[Direct myocardial revascularization by antero-lateral minithoracotomy].

The authors present the case of successfully treated patient with CAD, operated from left anterolateral minithoracotomy. Angiographic control two years later presents fully patent anastomosis without any signs of stenosis.

Atrial septal defect in adults.

Background: The value of operation of atrial septal defect (ASD) in adults, especially after 40 years, is still discussed.

Methods And Results: In 1994-95 57 adults with unoperated ASD were examined clinically, echocardiographically and in 75% by catheterization. Type primum was present in 11%, type secundum in 77% and sinus venosus in 11%.