Robotic-assisted off-pump sole transmyocardial revascularization: case report.

Thoracoscopic transmyocardial revascularization (TMR) has been recently demonstrated. We report 2 patients who underwent robotic-assisted thoracoscopic off-pump sole TMR. A 2-inch minimally invasive left anterolateral thoracotomy was made.

Improved patient outcomes when transmyocardial revascularization is used as adjunctive revascularization.

Background: Transmyocardial revascularization (TMR) has been recently used to treat patients with angina for whom angioplasty/stenting and/or coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) is no longer an option.

Methods: A retrospective review of 255 consecutive patients who required CABG was done. Group 1 patients (n = 219) underwent complete revascularization with CABG alone.

Nongenital dermatologic disease in HIV-infected women.

Background: Dermatologic disease in HIV-infected women has not been adequately characterized.

Objective: The main purposes of this study were to characterize nongenital dermatologic disease in HIV-infected women and correlate these diagnoses with CD4 lymphocyte count to compare these findings with those in published reports of men.

Methods: This study was a retrospective chart review of female patients with dermatologic diagnoses followed up at an HIV clinic in New York City, seen by either a dermatologist (49 patients) and/or a primary care practitioner (114 patients).

Alternative medicine and dermatology.

Because of increasing interest in the treatment and prevention of disease using nonconventional modalities, particularly in Western countries, it is important for practitioners of traditional Western medicine to remain open-minded about the use of alternative treatments. If the patient perceives the physician to be disapproving of the use of alternative treatments, she may not divulge the use of such treatments to the physician, even though alternative treatments can lead to adverse effects and to drug-herb interactions. The demographics and the reasons why patients seek alternative treatment are discussed.

Chronic actinic dermatitis associated with human immunodeficiency virus infection.

Chronic actinic dermatitis is a photodistributed, eczematous dermatitis that preferentially affects elderly men and persists for months to years. Its occurrence in individuals infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) has been described in five patients. We report four additional cases of this uncommon, chronic photodermatosis associated with HIV infection.