Nonbacterial Thrombotic Endocarditis: Presentation, Pathophysiology, Diagnosis and Management.

Initially described in 1936, non-bacterial thrombotic endocarditis (NBTE) is a rare entity involving sterile vegetations on cardiac valves. These vegetations are usually small and friable, typically associated with hypercoagulable states of malignancy and inflammatory diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus. Diagnosis remains challenging and is commonly made post-mortem although standard clinical methods such as echocardiography (transthoracic and transesophageal) and magnetic resonance imaging may yield the clinical diagnosis.

Endovascular Therapies for Type B Aortic Dissection.

Aortic dissection is a life-threatening condition resulting from a tear in the intimal layer of the aorta, requiring emergent diagnosis and prompt multi-disciplinary management strategy for best patient outcomes. While type A dissection involving ascending aorta is best managed surgically due to high early mortality, Type B Aortic Dissection (TBAD) involving descending aorta generally has better outcomes with conservative management and medical therapy as a primary strategy is favored. However, there has been a recent paradigm shift in the management of TBAD due to late aneurysmal degeneration of TBAD, increasing morbidity and mortality in the long term.