Subclavian embolization associated to carotid-subclavian bypass and stent-graft repair of acute type-B dissection.

Intentional closure of the left subclavian artery (LSA) during an endovascular procedure can be complicated by retrograde filling of the excluded aorta, increasing the risk of aneurysm expansion and sudden rupture. Retrograde coil embolization of the LSA, as alternative to open subclavian ligature, is a safe and effective method of rapid false lumen sealing in patients requiring coverage of the LSA and carotid-subclavian bypass, even in the setting of acute aortic syndromes.

Stent graft repair of descending aortic dissection in patients with Marfan syndrome: an effective alternative to open reoperation?

Objective: Aneurysms or dissections can involve multiple aortic segments in patients with Marfan syndrome, requiring staged replacement of the entire aorta. The optimal treatment of descending aortic dissection in these patients is a major challenge. We investigated the feasibility and outcomes of endovascular repair of the descending aorta in patients already submitted to open aortic root/arch surgery.

Endovascular treatment for acute traumatic transection of the descending aorta: focus on operative timing and left subclavian artery management.

Objective: The operative timing and management of acute traumatic aortic rupture are matters of debate. We reviewed our experience with endovascular repair of acute traumatic aortic rupture, focusing on these topics.

Methods: From 1998 to 2007, 31 patients were referred to our institute for acute traumatic rupture of the descending aorta.

Role and effectiveness of cardiovascular magnetic resonance in the diagnosis, preoperative evaluation and follow-up of patients with congenital heart diseases.

The substantial advances in the medical and surgical treatment of congenital heart diseases have dramatically improved patients' life expectancy, as well as increased the number of those needing lifelong monitoring to identify complications and residual defects. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is an ideal imaging modality for the follow-up of these young patients owing to its noninvasiveness, high reproducibility and morphological and functional accuracy. This paper describes the most appropriate MRI techniques and sequences for the study of cardiovascular heart diseases on the basis of an analysis of MRI studies carried out between January 2003 and June 2006 on 274 patients affected by all of the main congenital cardiovascular malformations, as well as a review of the literature.

Interventional techniques in the treatment of aortic dissection.

Acute aortic dissection continues to be one of the most catastrophic cardiovascular events. While there is a general consensus on immediate surgical repair when the ascending aorta is involved, the optimal treatment strategy for type B aortic dissection (B-AD) remains controversial. Recently, endovascular treatment with percutaneous stent-graft implantation, originally used for aortic aneurysm exclusion, has acquired an important role in the treatment of B-AD.

Congenital diseases of the thoracic aorta. Role of MRI and MRA.

Aortic malformations may be associated with other congenital heart abnormalities or may present independently, as incidental findings in asymptomatic patients. For more than 30 years, conventional imaging techniques for detection and assessment of congenital anomalies of the aorta have been chest X-ray, echocardiography and angiography. In recent times, considerable interest in congenital aortic diseases has been shown, due to technical progresses of noninvasive imaging modalities.

[Intracellular potassium in normal and pathological pregnancy. II. Experimental results].

Intraerythrocyte potassium was determined on samples from 198 physiologic, 88 hypertensive and 92 diabetic pregnant women. An increasing trend was observed during puerperium after the day 3, but a significant difference among the groups was not detected. These results may be due to a wider involvement of other cations (sodium, calcium) in the pathophysiology of pregnancy.