There is Nothing More Invisible than the Obvious: A Case Summary and Literature Review.

Bioprosthetic valvular failure (BVF) is a pathological entity arising from a variety of conditions affecting prosthetic heart valves. It may present with an extremely varied pattern, and the identification of the exact etiology is vital to provide a prompt and adequate treatment. It is established that infective endocarditis mainly affects patients with intracardiac devices such as pacemakers or prosthetic valves, and it represents one of the principal mechanisms of BVF.

Multi-valve Libman-Sacks's endocarditis-related multiple, massive and fatal systemic embolization. A case report and a review of diagnostic work-up.

We reported a case of non-bacterial thrombotic endocarditis (NBTE) in a 37-year-old woman who presented with signs and symptoms of cardio-embolic cerebral stroke caused by a prothrombotic state due to underlying advanced uterine cancer. Multimodal imaging, including 3D-ecocardiography, as well as laboratory and cultural tests, were critical in making the diagnosis. After starting anticoagulation therapy with low molecular weight heparin (LMWH), the patient underwent surgical aortic valve replacement due to worsening aortic valve function, initial left ventricle enlargement, increasing dimensions, and mobility of vegetations.

Lipomatous Atrial Septal Hypertrophy, an Unexpected Giant Interatrial Mass: A Case Report and Literature Review.

Lipomatous atrial septal hypertrophy (LASH) is a histological cardiac benign lesion finding with high prevalence in healthy population, usually detected during imaging procedures for other indications. Nevertheless, it could become clinically significant if it compromises venous return and diastolic left ventricular filling, up to becoming an anatomical substrate for atrial tachyarrhythmias. We present a case of LASH diagnosed in a 54-year-old female patient admitted to our emergency department after ground fall and collateral finding of positive blood cultures leading to transesophageal echocardiography.

A giant and double-walled left atrial ball thrombus complicating a mitral stenosis: case report-a truck tire into the heart.

Background: High thromboembolic risk associated with rheumatic mitral stenosis has been well established, especially in concomitant atrial fibrillation; however, the presence of left atrium ball thrombus is an uncommon finding.

Case Summary: A 75-year-old woman with a history of mild rheumatic mitral stenosis was admitted to Emergency Department with cardiogenic shock and high ventricular rate atrial fibrillation. Emergency electrical cardioversion was performed-before trans-oesophageal echocardiography (TOE)-due to haemodynamic deterioration which restored sinus rhythm.

Different mechanisms of mitral regurgitation in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy: A clinical case and literature review.

Background: Abnormalities of the mitral valve (MV) apparatus are typical features of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). These abnormalities include leaflet elongation, thick leaflets, displacement of papillary muscle, and systolic anterior motion (SAM) of the MV anterior leaflet. Mitral valve chordal rupture associated with HCM is a rare but serious issue capable of change the clinical apparence and the prognosis of the patient.

Urine alkalinisation to prevent contrast-induced acute kidney injury: the prospective, randomised, controlled, open-label TEATE trial.

Background: Contrast-induced acute kidney injury (CI-AKI) is prognostically relevant in invasive cardiological and radiological procedures. The administration of sodium bicarbonate has controversial effects. It has been hypothesised that bicarbonate is ineffective when unable to achieve adequate urine alkalinisation.

PrevenTion of contrast-inducEd nephropAThy with urinE alkalinization: the TEATE study design.

: Intravascular administration of iodinated contrast media is an essential tool for the imaging of blood vessels and cardiac chambers, as well as for percutaneous coronary and structural interventions. Along with the spreading of diagnostic and interventional procedures, the increasing incidence of contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) has become an important and prognostically relevant problem. CIN is thought to be largely dependent on oxidative damage, and is a considerable cause of renal failure, being associated with prolonged hospitalization and significant morbidity/mortality.