An Incidental Case of a Rare Ventricular Septal Defect (VSD): Does Infective Endocarditis Ger-Bode Well?

The Gerbode defect is a rare ventricular septal defect (VSD) between the left ventricle (LV) and right atrium (RA). We describe a challenging case of a rare acquired Gerbode defect from infective endocarditis. A 73-year-old male presented for left lower extremity edema and shortness of breath with exertion.

Cardiac sarcoidosis presenting as constrictive pericarditis.

In patients with cardiac sarcoidosis, the sarcoid granulomas usually involve the myocardium or endocardium. The disease typically presents as heart failure with ventricular arrhythmias, conduction disturbances, or both. Constrictive pericarditis has rarely been described in patients with sarcoidosis: we found only 2 reports of this association.

An in-vitro evaluation of effect of EDTAC on root dentin with respect to time.

Background: The present study was devised to evaluate the effects of 17% EDTAC on smear layer removal and on the dentin structure after irrigation with 1 minute and 10 minutes.

Materials & Methods: One hundred extracted mandibular molars with two separate mesial canals were selected; mesiobuccal canal was instrumented to size 30 file with crown down technique. One half of each root (either mesial or distal) was randomly selected and prepared for scanning electron microscopic (SEM) evaluation that was then cut longitudinally into two equal segments.

Feasibility and safety of same-day discharge after implantable cardioverter defibrillator placement for primary prevention.

Background: In the current age of ever-increasing healthcare costs, it is of utmost importance to adopt strategies that reduce hospital stay and cost, while still maintaining patient safety. In this study we review our approach of same-day discharge following implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) placement for primary prevention of sudden cardiac death (SCD).

Methods: We conducted a retrospective chart review of 415 consecutive patients who underwent ICD implantation for prevention of SCD between 2007 and 2010.

A forgotten devil; Rupture of mitral valve papillary muscle.

Background: Papillary muscle rupture is one of the catastrophic mechanical complications following myocardial infarction. Rupture leads to acute mitral valve regurgitation, pulmonary edema, and cardiogenic shock. Survival is dependent on prompt recognition and surgical intervention.