Right ventricular failure predicted from right bundle branch block: cardiac magnetic resonance imaging validation.

Background: Right ventricular (RV) failure has proven to be independently associated with adverse outcomes. Electrocardiographic parameters assessing RV function are largely unknown, making echocardiography the first line for RV function assessment. It is however, limited by geometrical assumptions and is inferior to cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMRI) which is widely regarded as the most accurate tool for assessing RV function.

Ventricular standstill complicating left heart catheterization in the presence of uncomplicated right bundle branch block.

We report the unusual occurrence of complete heart block during attempted right coronary artery cannulation in a patient with pre-existing uncomplicated right bundle branch block (RBBB). This complication occurred due to accidental impingement of the Judkin's right coronary catheter on the left bundle when it transiently slipped across the aortic valve. The block resolved without any complication.

Coronary angioplasty in a patient with dextrocardia.

This report, concerning the procedures applied to a patient with dextrocardia, describes how such a patient was able to undergo a normal diagnostic catheterization. These data should be added to the limited data on interventional procedures in patients who have this anomaly.

Esophageal-atrial fistula.

We report an unusual case of an esophageal-atrial fistula in a patient with CREST (calcinosis, Raynaud's phenomenon, esophagitis, sclerodactyly, telangiectasia) variant of scleroderma. An ulcer in Barrett's esophagus perforated into the left atrium and led to systemic embolization and cerebral abscess. A review of similar reports of esophageal-atrial fistula reveals a symptom complex that includes chronic esophageal pathology, gastrointestinal bleeding, and neurological signs.