Acute myocardial ischemia associated with latent left ventricular outflow tract obstruction in the absence of left ventricular hypertrophy.

Left ventricular outflow tract obstruction (LVOTO) is a recognized feature in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, but can occur in other clinical scenarios such as acute myocardial ischemia. In some patients, LVOTO may only be detectable with provocation testing such as exercise stress. Accurate and timely diagnosis, therefore, relies on recognizing an echocardiographic substrate in which LVOTO may occur, such as ventricular hypertrophy.

Incidence, duration and causes of intensive care unit admission following pulmonary resection for malignancy.

Background: We assessed the overall incidence and duration of ICU admission following pulmonary resection and attempted to identify patients requiring prolonged ICU stay.

Methods: Analysis of prospectively collected data on all patients undergoing pulmonary resection for suspected malignant disease that subsequently required ICU admission between March 2002 and October 2003.

Results: Of 170 patients 52 (30%) needed intensive care post-operatively: 21 (12%) for less than 24 h and 31 (18%) for more, for which group the average length of stay was 11.