[Rescue maneuver for entrapped stent in the coronary tree].

We describe two patients in whom stents dislodged from the unexpanded balloon during angioplasty and remained trapped in the coronary tree. In one patient the stent was located in the curvature of the circumflex artery and, in the other patient, it was detected in the distal left main artery. Retrieval of the undeployed stents was accomplished in the first case after advancing a low profile balloon through the stent and, in the second case, after placing a second guidewire exterior to the stent.

Anomalous left coronary artery arising from the right sinus of Valsalva causing angina pectoris.

We present a patient with an anomalous left coronary artery arising from the right sinus of Valsalva with effort angina. Diagnosis was made by coronary angiography. The course of the proximal segment was assessed with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Transesophageal atrial pacing stress echocardiography: difficulties in the performance and the interpretation of the test.

Introduction: Transesophageal atrial pacing stress echocardiography (TEAPSE) has been proposed as an alternative stress echo test in selected patients with known or suspected coronary artery disease. The purpose of this study was to determine: (1) whether TEAPSE could serve as a suitable provocative stress test in patients with stroke and (2) to investigate whether the pseudohypertrophy during TEAPSE that has been observed in experimental studies is also seen in the clinical setting.

Methods: TEAPSE at increasing heart rates was performed in 29 patients with stroke.

Stent implantation in variant angina refractory to medical treatment.

Background: Vasospastic angina usually responds well to medical treatment.

Hypothesis: The present study describes our experience in patients who received a coronary stent because of recurrent variant angina refractory to medical treatment and evaluates stent implantation as an alternative treatment.

Materials And Methods: Between March 1998 and February 2005, recurrent variant angina was diagnosed in 22 patients admitted to our coronary care unit.