Intracardiac echography for left atrial appendage closure: A step-by-step tutorial.

Objectives: We sought to provide a practical educational tool for the utilization of intracardiac echography (ICE) in the left atrium for the percutaneous closure of the left atrial appendage (LAA).

Background: Although transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) is the gold-standard imaging technique for LAA closure, ICE is stepping in to support noncoronary cardiology interventions by improving workflow and case turnover and may be more adequate for frail patients with significant and multiple comorbidities.

Methods: This article discusses the utility of ICE for LAA closure, its advantages compared to TEE, contraindications to TEE use and offers an extensive illustration of the main steps of the procedure.

Atrial fibrillation in acute pulmonary embolism: prognostic considerations.

Aims: Although it is accepted that atrial fibrillation (AF) may be both the contributing factor and the consequence of pulmonary embolism (PE), data on the prognostic role of AF in patients with acute venous thromboembolism are scarce. Our aim was to study whether AF had a prognostic role in patients with acute PE.

Methods: Retrospective cohort study involving 270 patients admitted for acute PE.

Cardiovascular risk assessment of pulmonary embolism with the GRACE risk score.

Despite the existence of several risk scores, the accurate prediction of the prognosis in pulmonary embolism (PE) remains a challenge. The Global Registry of Acute Coronary Events (GRACE) risk score has a high diagnostic performance for adverse outcomes in acute coronary syndrome. We aimed to assess the applicability and extend the use of the GRACE risk score to PE.

Perforation of the right ventricle during cardiac resynchronisation therapy upgrade not related to a coexisting persistent left superior vena cava.

Right ventricle (RV) perforation is a complication that may arise during device implants. We present the case of a patient undergoing cardiac resynchronisation therapy upgrade that was complicated with an RV perforation. The lead was successfully repositioned with a good final outcome.

Corrected ASD: case closed?

Ellis-van Creveld syndrome (EvC) is a rare autosomal recessive chondroectodermal dysplasia, associated with mutations in the EVC1 and EVC2 genes (4p16). The management of EvC is multidisciplinary, and early diagnosis is of the utmost importance for efficient and timely treatment. The main prognostic determinant is presence of a heart defect.