CardioMems® device implantation reduces repeat hospitalizations in heart failure patients: A single center experience.

Introduction: Hospital readmission for congestive heart failure remains one of the most important economic burdens on healthcare cost. The implantation of a wireless pressure monitoring device (CardioMEMS®) had led to nearly 40% reduction in readmission rates in the landmark CHAMPION trial. We aim to study the effectiveness of this wireless device in reducing heart failure admissions in a real-world setting.

Differential effect of regadenoson versus dipyridamole on heart rate in patients with left bundle branch block: How does it affect the results of pharmacological nuclear stress testing?

Background: Myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) stress test is performed either using exercise as a stress modality or through the use of pharmacological vasodilator agents in those who cannot exercise. Regadenoson and dipyridamole are some of the most common vasodilator agents used. We aim to study the effect of these agents on the heart rate and the imaging results.

Transcervical Carotid Artery Stenting Without Flow Reversal: A Report of Two Cases.

BACKGROUND The use of a carotid artery stent (CAS) is a management option for high-risk patients with carotid artery stenosis. An access site for CAS that involves the transcervical approach may be performed percutaneously or may require a cutdown, and usually includes a flow-reversal system to reduce the risk of embolization. Two cases are presented where the transcervical approach to CAS incorporated a distal filter for embolic protection, with a successful outcome.

Impact of CardioMEMS device placement on lifestyle modifications: a "pseudo-placebo" effect beyond the expected?

Introduction Congestive heart failure is a leading cause of cardiovascular mortality and morbidity in the United States and places a significant economic burden on the health care system. The CHAMPION trial showed significant reductions in heart failure hospitalizations and length of stay as well as improvements in quality of life among patients who underwent implantation of the CardioMEMS device (CardioMEMS Inc., Atlanta, GA, USA).

Accelerated ambulation after vascular access closure device.

Background: Patients who are candidates to receive an Angioseal® (St. Jude Medical) device for arteriotomy closure are allowed to ambulate 20 min after the deployment of the device. More frequently, however, patients are kept on bed rest for several hours following Angioseal® deployment.

Leriche syndrome: The inferior mesenteric artery saves the lower extremity.

Leriche syndrome presents as a triad of claudication, erectile dysfunction, and decreased distal pulses. This syndrome is a well-recognized entity in the current literature; however, our case report illustrates that even with a severe ostial lesion of the inferior mesenteric artery, the vessel was able to provide perfusion to bilateral lower extremities. The patient presented with symptoms of progressive pain in his right leg that limited his physical activity and he also complained of paresthesia, pallor, and cold skin with black discoloration of his toes bilaterally.

The relationship between chest pain duration and the incidence of acute myocardial infarction among patients with acute chest pain.

Objective: Eight to ten million individuals are evaluated for chest pain (CP) in Emergency Departments (ED) in the United States each year. CP characteristics are an important factor used to help determine a diagnosis. We studied the relationship between the duration of CP and the diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) in patients evaluated in the ED.