Long-term outcomes after endovascular aortic treatment in patients with thoracic aortic diseases.

Background: Endovascular treatments for thoracic aortic diseases have been adopted rapidly, and long-term studies are relevant for durability evaluation.

Objective: To evaluate the long-term results of a prospective observational study of endovascular treatment in patients with thoracic aortic diseases who underwent percutaneous implantation of self-expandable endoprostheses.

Methods: Procedural success was defined as the absence of endoleak into the aneurysm or dissection-induced false lumen, no migration, and no conversion to open surgery.

Late Diagnosis of Anomalous Aortic Origin of a Coronary Artery from the Inappropriate Sinus of Valsalva during Investigation of Chest Pain.

In this work are reported two cases of anomalous aortic origin of a coronary artery (AAOCA), with the left main coronary artery (LMCA) arising at the right sinus of Valsalva in a 77-year-old woman and in a 79-year-old man submitted to angiography after positive ischemic tests. The origin of the LMCA or the left descendant artery (LDA) from the right sinus of Valsalva has a prevalence of 0.2%, the origin of the circumflex artery (CXA) from the right sinus 0.

Risk factors for mortality of patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft surgery.

Introduction: Coronary artery bypass grafting is a safe procedure performed worldwide with low rates of mortality and morbidity in general population.

Objective: To investigate risk factors for mortality of patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting coronary artery bypass grafting surgery.

Methods: A total of 1,628 consecutive patients undergoing on-pump coronary artery bypass grafting were retrospectively studied from December 1999 to February 2012.

Management of multivessel coronary disease after primary angioplasty: staged reintervention versus optimized clinical treatment and two-year follow-up.

Objective: In the clinical scenario of ST-segment elevation acute myocardial infarction, several patients with multivessel coronary atherosclerotic disease are discharged without a defined strategy to monitor the residual atherosclerotic lesions. The clinical endpoints evaluated were cardiovascular death, symptoms of angina pectoris, rehospitalization for a new acute coronary syndrome, and the necessity of reintervention during the two-year follow-up.

Methods: This observational, prospective, and historical study included multivessel coronary atherosclerotic disease patients who were admitted to a tertiary care university hospital with ST-segment elevation acute myocardial infarction and underwent primary percutaneous coronary intervention with stent implantation only at the culprit lesion site; these patients were monitored in the outpatient clinic according to two treatments: the Clinical Group - CG (optimized pharmacological therapy associated with counseling for a healthy diet and cardiac rehabilitation) or the Intervention Group - IG (new staged percutaneous coronary intervention or surgical coronary artery bypass graft surgery combined with the previously prescribed treatment).

Sensitivity, specificity and predictive values of linear and nonlinear indices of heart rate variability in stable angina patients.

Background: Decreased heart rate variability (HRV) is related to higher morbidity and mortality. In this study we evaluated the linear and nonlinear indices of the HRV in stable angina patients submitted to coronary angiography.

Methods: We studied 77 unselected patients for elective coronary angiography, which were divided into two groups: coronary artery disease (CAD) and non-CAD groups.

Obstructive coronary disease in patients with chronic liver disease awaiting liver transplantation.

Background: Advanced liver failure (ALF) usually presents hypocholesterolemia. Nevertheless, some patients with ALF develops major coronary obstructive diseases with consequent increased risk or contraindication to liver transplantation.

Objective: To analyze the contribution of classical risk factors for coronary artery disease (CAD) in patients with ALF with and without obstructive coronary disease.

[Echocardiographic monitoring of balloon atrial septostomy].

Objective: To assess balloon atrial septostomy monitored with echocardiography.

Methods: From August 1997 to January 2004, 31 infants with congenital heart diseases indicated for balloon atrial septostomy underwent the procedure with exclusive echocardiographic monitoring. Success was defined as the obtainment of an atrial septal defect diameter > 4 mm and ample mobility of its margins.