Type A aortic intramural hematoma: clinical features and outcomes in Chinese patients.

Background: The purpose of this study was to describe the clinical characteristics and clinical outcomes for Chinese patients with type A intramural hematoma (IMH).

Methods And Results: We studied 90 patients with Stanford type A acute aortic syndrome who presented to our institution from 1998 to 2005 and evaluated the presentation, management, and clinical outcomes of acute IMH by comparing these patients with those diagnosed with classical aortic dissection (AD). A total of 34 patients had IMH and they tended to be older (69.

Long term clinical outcomes after deployment of femoral vascular closure devices in coronary angiography and percutaneous coronary intervention.

Background: We evaluated the long term clinical outcomes of femoral vascular closure devices following its deployment in coronary angiography and percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) procedures.

Methods: From June 2000 to September 2004, 265 patients who received femoral vascular closure devices after coronary angiography and PCIs were enrolled into the study. Patients' medical records were reviewed and vascular complications within 1 year of follow-up period were recorded.

Alleviation of pulmonary hypertension by cardiac resynchronization therapy is associated with improvement in central sleep apnea.

Background: Recent studies have demonstrated that cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) reduces sleep apnea in heart failure (HF); however, the mechanism of benefit remains unclear.

Methods: Overnight polysomnography (PSG) was performed in consecutive HF patients who were scheduled for CRT implant. Patients with sleep apnea defined by an apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) of >10/hour were recruited and underwent echocardiogram examination at baseline and 3 months after CRT.