Early and Mid-Term Outcomes of Femoro-Ilio-Caval Vein Stent Implantation.

Objective: We sought to investigate mid-term clinical outcomes and identify risk factors in one of the largest comprehensive series reported of femoro-ilio-caval (FIC) vein stent placement.

Background: Endovascular intervention with balloon angioplasty and stenting of the iliac and common femoral veins has become first-line treatment for symptomatic deep venous outflow obstruction.

Methods: We conducted a single-center, retrospective analysis of 180 patients who underwent FIC stent implantation between May 2017 and May 2019; 327 procedures were performed.

Intravascular shockwave lithotripsy as a treatment modality for symptomatic mesenteric ischemia.

Chronic mesenteric ischemia has traditionally been treated with either open surgical revascularization or endovascular therapy. Endovascular surgery has typically been preferred due to the lower rates of peri-procedural and post-procedural morbidity, yet this comes at the expense of long-term durability. Intravascular shockwave lithotripsy is a technique utilized to modify intimal and medial calcified plaque in order to improve vessel expansion and patency.

Ozaki procedure complicated by postpericardiotomy syndrome and cardiac tamponade.

Aortic valve replacement has long been the standard of care for many aortic valve diseases. Neo sinus reconstruction and aortic valve reconstruction with native pericardium, known as the Ozaki procedure, is a relatively new technique with early studies showing good mid-term durability and hemodynamics without the need for life-long anticoagulation. We present the case of a 56-year-old male presenting with aortic valve endocarditis and severe aortic insufficiency who underwent successful aortic valve reconstruction via the Ozaki procedure complicated by postpericardiotomy syndrome and cardiac tamponade.

Intra-aortic balloon pump entrapment without rupture: a case series.

Intra-aortic balloon pump is an invasive procedure used in critically unwell population and carries risks of possible complications. The most common complications include thrombocytopenia and fever, occurring approximately 50 and 36% of the time. Rare complications include vascular tears, limb ischemia, occurring approximately 1-2% of the time and balloon rupture and/or entrapment approximately 0.

Advances in trans-ulnar intervention: a successful trans-ulnar artery approach for left subclavian artery stenosis.

Techniques for vascular intervention have been evolving in the past decades. Trans-radial artery access (TRA) has been emerging and is favorable over trans-femoral access in recent years due to the lower risk of bleeding complications, vascular injury, early mobilization, shorter hospitalization and lesser cost. TRA has its own limitations such as radial artery stenosis, dissection, spasm and crossover.

Association between serum vitamin D levels and gastric cancer: A retrospective chart analysis.

Aim: To determine whether there is an increased risk of gastric adenocarcinoma associated with vitamin D deficiency (VDd).

Methods: A retrospective case control study was performed of all patients diagnosed with gastric adenocarcinoma between 2005 and 2015. After we excluded the patients without a documented vitamin D level, 49 patients were included in our study.

Risk factors for coronary artery disease and acute coronary syndrome in patients ≤40 years old.

Objective: In this study, we assessed the risk factor profile in premature coronary artery disease (CAD) and acute coronary syndrome for adults ≤40 years old.

Methods: A retrospective chart analysis of 397 patients ≤40 years old admitted from 2005 to 2014 for chest pain and who underwent coronary arteriography.

Results: Of 397 patients that had undergone coronary arteriography, 54% had CAD while 46% had normal coronary arteries.

Primary squamous cell carcinoma of the rectum: a case report and literature review.

Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the rectum is a rare occurrence with an incidence rate of 0.1-0.25% per 1,000 cases.

Coronary artery disease in patients with body mass index ≥30 kg/m(2): a retrospective chart analysis.

Objective: In this study, we evaluated obesity as a single risk factor for coronary artery disease (CAD), along with the synergistic effect of obesity and other risk factors.

Methods: A retrospective study of 7,567 patients admitted to hospital for chest pain from 2005 to 2014 and underwent cardiac catheterization. Patients were divided into two groups: obese and normal with body mass index (BMI) calculated as ≥30 kg/m(2) and <25, respectively.

Morbidity and mortality of infective endocarditis in a hospital system in New York City serving a diverse urban population.

Infective endocarditis (IE) is a severe illness associated with significant morbidity and mortality. The primary purpose of this study was to evaluate morbidity and mortality of IE in a hospital serving the most diverse area in New York City. An analysis of 209 patients admitted to the hospital from 2000 to 2012 who were found to have IE based on modified Duke criteria.

Serum vitamin D levels correlate to coronary artery disease severity: a retrospective chart analysis.

Background: The pro-atherosclerotic nature of vitamin D deficiency has been shown to increase cardiovascular events. We further emphasized and evaluated the severity of coronary artery disease (CAD) with varying levels of vitamin D in relation to age, gender, ethnicity and baseline confounders.

Methods: A retrospective, single-center study of 9,399 patients admitted between 2005 and 2014 for chest pain who underwent coronary angiography.

Avoiding transthoracic echocardiography and transesophageal echocardiography for patients with variable body mass indexes in infective endocarditis.

Background: Echocardiography has been a popular modality used to aid in the diagnosis of infective endocarditis (IE) with the modified Duke criteria. We evaluated the necessity between the uses of either a transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) or transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) in patients with a body mass index (BMI) greater than or equal to 25 kg/m(2) and less than 25 kg/m(2).

Methods: A single-centered, retrospective study of 198 patients between 2005 and 2012 diagnosed with IE based on modified Duke criteria.

Isolated supra-cardiac partial anomalous pulmonary venous connection causing right heart failure.

Right heart failure (RHF) has been overlooked as left heart failure has predominated. One of the many causes of RHF is partial anomalous pulmonary venous connection (PAPVC), an extremely rare entity in nature. Physicians should consider the unusual causes of RHF after ruling out the common causes.

Refractile foreign material deposits and alveolar hemorrhage in crack cocaine smoker.

Recreational use of alkaloid free-base cocaine, also known as crack cocaine, has reached epidemic proportions in the United States. Inhalation of crack cocaine is known to cause a variety of pulmonary complications. Herein we present a case of diffuse alveolar hemorrhage (DAH) and particulate foreign matter deposition in the setting of crack cocaine inhalation.

Coronary Artery Disease in Young Adults.

Coronary heart disease (CHD) sustains a significant negative impact on hospital admissions and deaths worldwide. The prevalence of CHD in young adults is difficult to establish accurately, as these asymptomatic patients typically do not undergo diagnostic studies. In this article, the authors will focus on young adults with CHD emphasizing common and uncommon risk factors, current management and review of previous studies.