Multiple accessory pathways coexisting with a persistent left superior vena cava: a case report.

Background: Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome is characterized by a short PR interval (delta-wave), long QRS complex, and the appearance of paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia. Patients with Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome usually have one accessory pathway, whereas cases with multiple accessory pathways are rare. Persistent left superior vena cava is a vascular anomaly in which the vein drains into the right atrium through the coronary sinus at the junction of the left internal jugular and subclavian veins due to abnormal development of the left cardinal vein.

Reduction of bleeding complications on puncture site after percutaneous coronary intervention using a 6.5-French sheathless guiding catheter.

Background: Reducing complications at the puncture site after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is important. The diameter of a 6.5-French (Fr) sheathless guiding catheter (GC) is smaller by approximately 2-Fr compared to a 6-Fr conventional sheath.

Suppression of acute heart failure rehospitalization by biventricular pacing in wide QRS and mid-range ejection fraction.

We present a 66-year-old male patient with heart failure, mid-range ejection fraction and QRS widening suffering from recurrent hospitalization due to acute heart failure. We measured intra-cardiac pressure by cardiac catheterization to clearly demonstrate the augmentation of afterload by a vasoconstricting drug induced increase of left ventricular end-diastolic blood pressure and pulmonary capillary wedge pressure with pulmonary arterial V-wave augmentation (indicator of worsening of mitral regurgitation). Because the patient was considered as refractory to optimal medication, cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) was performed.