Acute Coronary Syndrome Mimicking Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy or Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy Mimicking Acute Coronary Syndrome?

A healthy 66-year-old female presented to the emergency department with acute chest pain, T-wave inversion in the anterior leads, and elevated troponin-I. Coronary angiography showed a stenosis in the midportion of the left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD), which did not wrap the left ventricle (LV) apex. LV angiography demonstrated a large LV apical akinetic systolic ballooning with a 45% ejection fraction.

Short halt in vaping modifies cardiorespiratory parameters and urine metabolome: a randomized trial.

Propylene glycol and glycerol are e-cigarette constituents that facilitate liquid vaporization and nicotine transport. As these small hydrophilic molecules quickly cross the lung epithelium, we hypothesized that short-term cessation of vaping in regular users would completely clear aerosol deposit from the lungs and reverse vaping-induced cardiorespiratory toxicity. We aimed to assess the acute effects of vaping and their reversibility on biological/clinical cardiorespiratory parameters [serum/urine pneumoproteins, hemodynamic parameters, lung-function test and diffusing capacities, transcutaneous gas tensions (primary outcome), and skin microcirculatory blood flow].

Fourth generation e-cigarette vaping induces transient lung inflammation and gas exchange disturbances: results from two randomized clinical trials.

When heated by an electronic cigarette, propylene glycol and glycerol produce a nicotine-carrying-aerosol. This hygroscopic/hyperosmolar aerosol can deposit deep within the lung. Whether these deposits trigger local inflammation and disturb pulmonary gas exchanges is not known.

Differential Effects of E-Cigarette on Microvascular Endothelial Function, Arterial Stiffness and Oxidative Stress: A Randomized Crossover Trial.

Propylene glycol and glycerol are electronic cigarettes vehicles allowing liquid vaporization and nicotine transport. The respective effects of these different constituents on the cardiovascular system are unknown. We assessed the differential effects of vehicles (propylene glycol and glycerol) and nicotine on microcirculatory function, arterial stiffness, hemodynamic parameters and oxidative stress.

Drug-Eluting Resorbable Magnesium Scaffold Implantation in ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction: A Pilot Study.

Objectives: To assess feasibility and short-term clinical outcomes associated with resorbable magnesium scaffold (RMS) implantation in the setting of primary percutaneous coronary intervention for ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI).

Background: RMS implantation has demonstrated favorable clinical outcomes in stable coronary artery disease patients. However, to date, data are lacking in the setting of STEMI.

Transcatheter left atrial appendage occlusion for stroke prevention in patients with atrial fibrillation: results from the Belgian registry.

Aims: This study aimed to assess the safety and efficacy at midterm follow-up of left atrial appendage occlusion (LAAO) using different devices, in real life in Belgium.

Methods And Results: Between June 2009 and November 2016, 457 consecutive patients (63% male, 75±12 yrs, CHA2DS2-VASc 4±0.6, HAS-BLED 3.

Left superior pulmonary vein connected to superior vena cava vein in a patient with situs inversus totalis: A challenging diagnosis.

We herein describe the previously unreported combination of partial anomalous venous connection to the superior vena cava combined with situs inversus totalis. Following peripheral contrast injection, bubbles appeared initially in the left atrium allowing the diagnosis of a supra-atrial connection to be made using transthoracic echocardiography, but this timing was not anymore reproduced during transesophageal echocardiography performed minutes later. Cardiac computed tomography allowed the final diagnosis to be made.

Efficacy and safety of biodegradable polymer biolimus A9-eluting stent versus durable polymer everolimus-eluting stent in diabetic patients: a prospective non-randomized single-centre long-term comparison.

Objective: Biodegradable polymer drug-eluting stents may improve biocompatibility and reduce the risk of very late stent thrombosis (ST) but outcomes are nevertheless unknown in diabetic patients. The purpose of this study was to assess the long-term efficacy and safety of the biodegradable polymer biolimus A9-eluting stent (BP-BES) in comparison with the current reference durable polymer everolimus-eluting stent (DP-EES) in diabetic patients.

Methods And Results: 119 BP-BES and 178 DP-EES were implanted respectively in 105 and 146 diabetic patients presenting similar clinical and peri-procedural characteristics.

Long-term follow-up of DDD and VDD pacing: a prospective non-randomized single-centre comparison of patients with symptomatic atrioventricular block.

Aims: This prospective non-randomized single-centre registry compared clinical outcome, pacing parameters, and long-term survival in patients receiving VDD or DDD pacemaker (PMs) for symptomatic atrioventricular (AV) block.

Methods And Results: Single-lead VDD (n= 166) and DDD (n= 254) PMs were implanted in 420 successive patients with isolated AV block between January 2001 and December 2009. At the end of the follow-up period [median 25 (1-141) months], there was no difference in the incidence of atrial fibrillation [11.