Quantitative flow ratio to predict long-term coronary artery bypass graft patency in patients with left main coronary artery disease.

Purpose: Fractional flow reserve (FFR) has been demonstrated in some studies to predict long-term coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) patency. Quantitative flow ratio (QFR) is an emerging technology which may predict FFR. In this study, we hypothesised that QFR would predict long-term CABG patency and that QFR would offer superior diagnostic performance to quantitative coronary angiography (QCA) and intravascular ultrasound (IVUS).

Comparison of diagnostic performance between quantitative flow ratio, non-hyperemic pressure indices and fractional flow reserve.

Background: Quantitative flow ratio (QFR) is an estimate of fractional flow reserve (FFR) and is derived from 3-dimensional quantitative coronary angiography. The DILEMMA score is an angiographic technique developed to predict FFR. Unlike other diastolic indices such as instantaneous wave-free ratio (iFR), diastolic pressure ratio (dPR) and dPR, neither QFR nor DILEMMA score require pressure wires.

Oral vancomycin desensitisation to treat Clostridium difficile infection in a vancomycin allergic patient.

The prevalence of Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) is increasing worldwide. Oral vancomycin is an effective and frequently used treatment. However, patients with CDI who are allergic to intravenous vancomycin cannot receive oral vancomycin due to the risk of anaphylaxis if given the oral form.

Woman with chest pain and shortness of breath since age 18.

We present an interesting case of a 38-year-old woman who presented with a history of left-sided chest pain, dyspnoea and palpitations. The symptoms have been occurring since age 18, and were previously diagnosed as costochondritis. Because of the suspicious history, the patient underwent further cardiac investigations.