A new perspective on aortic pressure for transcatheter closure of patent ductus arteriosus in the pediatric population.

Background: Hemodynamic assessment is not routinely performed when closing a patent ductus arteriosus (PDA). Significant PDA flow causes a drop in the aortic pressure distal to the shunt. Closure of PDA should increase distal systemic blood flow and significantly elevate distal aortic pressure, changing the systolic pressure gradient (ΔP) between the proximal and distal aorta.

Direct left ventricular wire pacing during transcatheter aortic valve implantation.

Background: Rapid ventricular pacing is used during balloon aortic valvuloplasty, balloon‑expandable transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI), and for postdilatation. Right ventricular (RV) lead pacing has been regarded as a gold standard. Direct left ventricular (LV) wire pacing has recently been considered safe and effective in TAVI interventions.

Creatine kinase-MB and red cell distribution width as predictors of contrast-induced nephropathy after percutaneous coronary intervention in acute myocardial infarction.

Introduction: Contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) is acute kidney injury (AKI), caused by administration of iodinated contrast media. The reported risk factors of CIN are: pre-existing renal dysfunction, admission anemia, diabetic nephropathy, old age, dehydration, high volume and osmolarity of administered contrast media. Patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) have threefold higher risk of developing CIN.