Isolated cardiac sarcoidosis masquerading as right ventricular outflow tract ventricular tachycardia.

A 67-year-old man with coronary artery disease (CAD) and left anterior descending artery (LAD) stent presented with symptomatic monomorphic ventricular tachycardia (VT) at a rate of 190 bpm requiring cardioversion. ECG showed left bundle branch block pattern and inferior axis, suggestive of a right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT) focus rather than left ventricular scar due to LAD territory myocardial infarction (MI). Echocardiography showed normal wall motion.

Randomized controlled trial of remote ischemic preconditioning and atrial fibrillation in patients undergoing cardiac surgery.

Aim: To study whether remote ischemic preconditioning (RIPC) has an impact on clinical outcomes, such as post-operative atrial fibrillation (POAF).

Methods: This was a prospective, single-center, single-blinded, randomized controlled study. One hundred and two patients were randomized to receive RIPC (3 cycles of 5 min ischemia and 5 min reperfusion in the upper arm after induction of anesthesia) or no RIPC (control).

Predictors of Medical Management in Patients Undergoing Elective Cardiac Catheterization for Chronic Ischemic Heart Disease.

Background: Compared with medical therapy, percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) does not reduce mortality or myocardial infarction in patients with stable angina. Therefore, PCI should be guided by refractory anginal symptoms and not just lesion characteristics.

Hypothesis: We hypothesized that angiographic lesion characteristics and stress test results would have a greater role in the decision to proceed with PCI than would symptom severity.

Informed Decision Making for Percutaneous Coronary Intervention for Stable Coronary Disease.

Importance: Patients with stable coronary disease undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) are frequently misinformed about the benefits of PCI. Little is known about the quality of decision making before angiography and possible PCI.

Objective: To assess the quality of informed decision making and its association with patient decisions.

Primary testicular lymphoma with cardiac involvement in an immunocompetent patient: case report and a concise review of literature.

Primary testicular lymphoma (PTL) is a rare testicular tumor representing less than 9% of all testicular cancers. PTL usually tends to spread to or relapse at nodal structures or extra-nodal sites such as contralateral testes, central nervous system, skin, lung, pleura, waldeyer's ring and soft tissues. We present a case of PTL with huge left atrial mass, an extremely unusual site of involvement.

ST segment elevation myocardial infarction as a presenting feature of thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura.

Myocardial infarction with ST segment elevation (STE) on electrocardiography (ECG) is a common presentation in emergency rooms across the world. Myocardial injury and necrosis are infrequently the initial presentation in patients with thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP). A 48-year-old woman presented with STE myocardial infarction from outside hospital for primary percutaneous coronary intervention.

Ethnic differences in the self-recognition of obesity and obesity-related comorbidities: a cross-sectional analysis.

Background: Obesity and its related co-morbidities place a huge burden on the health care system. Patients who know they are obese may better control their weight or seek medical attention. Self-recognition may be affected by race/ethnicity, but little is known about racial/ethnic differences in knowledge of obesity's health risks.

Patients' and cardiologists' perceptions of the benefits of percutaneous coronary intervention for stable coronary disease.

Background: It is unclear whether patients understand that percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) reduces only chronic stable angina and not myocardial infarction (MI) or associated mortality.

Objective: To compare cardiologists' and patients' beliefs about PCI.

Design: Survey.

Covert cryptococcal meningitis in a patient with systemic lupus erythematous.

Background: Cryptococcal meningitis is a rare but well-recognized illness with a high mortality rate in immunosuppressed patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The diagnosis of cryptococcal meningitis in these patients can be challenging, especially in the emergency department (ED), as the clinical presentation may be non-specific, which can lead to delayed treatment.

Objective: To recognize risk factors associated with the development of cryptococcal meningitis infection in patients with SLE and to provide an update on the clinical presentation, prognosis, and therapeutic options.

Bivalirudin use during PCI for stent thrombosis in a patient with subacute intracranial hemorrhage.

Caring for patients at high risk is inherent to the practice of interventional cardiology. Recognizing high-risk situations, minimizing risk and employing preventive techniques proactively to avoid complications cannot be over-emphasized within this dynamic field. This case demonstrates real-world concerns and decision-making regarding severe bleeding risk, rescue angioplasty, stent thrombosis, appropriate usage of intravascular ultrasound and differences in stent design.

Severe triple vessel coronary artery disease and aneurysms in a young white man: disease progression of childhood Kawasaki disease.

Kawasaki disease usually affects younger age groups, but cardiac sequelae of 'missed' (incomplete) childhood Kawasaki disease may first present in adult life. We report a case of a 28-year-old white man presenting with ST elevation myocardial infarction and later found to have triple vessel coronary artery aneurysmal disease, probably secondary to childhood Kawasaki disease for which he underwent cardiac bypass surgery. The patient has remained well and asymptomatic at 1-year follow-up.