Robotic totally endoscopic coronary artery bypass grafting for spontaneous coronary artery dissection.

Background: Patients with spontaneous coronary artery dissection may require surgical revascularization. Reports on the surgical management of this pathology are primarily limited to classic coronary artery bypass grafting via sternotomy on cardiopulmonary bypass, although a limited number of reports of alternatives also exist.

Methods: We describe a case of robotic completely endoscopic coronary surgery using the daVinci® Si™ system in a patient with spontaneous coronary artery dissection.

Cuff and aortic pressure differences during dobutamine infusion: a study of the effects of systolic blood pressure amplification.

Background: Central aortic systolic blood pressures (SBPs) differ from and are preferable to cuff pressures when calculating cardiac work, left ventricular wall stress, and rate-pressure product. Despite the widespread use of dobutamine, differences between aortic and brachial SBP (pulse amplification) and pulse transmission during dobutamine infusion have not been previously studied. This study assessed these differences and used applanated radial pulses with the Sphygmocor (AtCor Medical, Sydney, Australia) device to investigate the effects of dobutamine on arterial pulse transmission and pulse amplification.

Myocardial stunning after electroconvulsive therapy in patients with an apparently normal heart.

Myocardial stunning refers to contractile dysfunction that persists after an ischemic episode and restoration of coronary blood flow. In this article, 2 cases of myocardial stunning after electroconvulsive therapy in patients with an apparently normal heart are presented. The incidence of this condition is unknown.

Leptin as a common link to obesity and hypertension.

Leptin is a recently isolated circulating peptide hormone that is primarily synthesized and secreted by adipocytes. One of the major functions of this hormone is the control of energy balance by binding to receptors in the hypothalamus, leading to reduction in food intake, elevation in temperature and energy expenditure. In addition, increasing evidence suggests that leptin, through both direct and indirect actions, may play an important role in cardiovascular and renal functions.

Leptin as a common link to obesity and hypertension.

Leptin is a recently isolated circulating peptide hormone that is primarily synthesized and secreted by adipocytes. One of the major functions of this hormone is the control of energy balance by binding to receptors in the hypothalamus, leading to reduction in food intake, elevation in temperature and energy expenditure. In addition, increasing evidence suggests that leptin, through both direct and indirect actions, may play an important role in cardiovascular and renal functions.