Left Atrial Myxoma Presenting as an Embolic Shower: A Case Report and Review of Literature.

Myxomas are the most common primary cardiac neoplasms. Multimodality imaging is essential for proper diagnosis and treatment. The cardiovascular manifestations depend on myxomas location and size.

A Randomized Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Study Comparing Intracoronary Versus Intravenous Abciximab in Patients With ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction Undergoing Transradial Rescue Percutaneous Coronary Intervention After Failed Thrombolysis.

The risk and benefit ratio of glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitors with dual oral antiplatelet therapy after failed thrombolysis and rescue percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is unclear. Using a randomized placebo-controlled, double-blind design, we compared intravenous (IV) and intracoronary (IC) abciximab delivery in 74 patients referred for rescue transradial PCI. The primary angiographic end points were the final thrombolysis in myocardial infarction flow and myocardial blush grades.

Effects of hypertonic saline solution on body weight and serum creatinine in patients with acute decompensated heart failure.

Aim: To test the safety and effectiveness of hypertonic saline solution (HSS + F) as a strategy for weight loss and prevention of further deterioration of renal function.

Methods: Patients admitted with acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF) who received HSS + F were included in the study. After a period of a standard ADHF treatment, our patients received an intravenous infusion of furosemide (250 mg) combined with HSS (150 mL of 3% NaCl) twice a day for a mean duration of 2.

Acute effects of cinacalcet on arterial stiffness and ventricular function in hemodialysis patients: A randomized double-blinded crossover study.

Background: Serum calcium concentration (Ca) plays an essential role in a vascular muscle tone and myocardial contractility. Previously, we showed that acutely lowering Ca by hemodialysis reduced arterial stiffness. Cinacalcet is a calcimimetic that lowers Ca and parathyroid hormone (PTH).

Radiotherapy-Induced Cardiac Implantable Electronic Device Dysfunction in Patients With Cancer.

Radiotherapy can affect the electronic components of a cardiac implantable electronic device (CIED) resulting in malfunction and/or damage. We sought to assess the incidence, predictors, and clinical impact of CIED dysfunction (CIED-D) after radiotherapy for cancer treatment. Clinical characteristics, cancer, different types of CIEDs, and radiation dose were evaluated.

Determinants of Improvement In Left Ventricular Diastolic Function Following a 1-Year Lifestyle Modification Program in Abdominally Obese Men with Features of the Metabolic Syndrome.

Background: Abdominal obesity and presence of the metabolic syndrome (MetS) are associated with cardiac abnormalities. Among those, left ventricular diastolic dysfunction (LVDD) is the most frequently encountered in clinical practice. Few studies evaluated the reversibility of LVDD by an approach promoting lifestyle modifications in abdominally obese subjects with MetS.

Feasibility of using a sheathless guiding catheter for left ventricular endomyocardial biopsy performed by transradial approach.

The role of endomyocardial biopsy (EMB) in the diagnosis and treatment of adults presenting a newly unexplained cardiomyopathy remains controversial and the clinical indication varies among different centers. Furthermore, the choice of the ventricular site for EMB is still under debate. The right ventricular EMB is commonly used due to safety features and left ventricle (LV) EMB has not yet gained acceptance because of concerns about possible complications.

Acute myocarditis triggering coronary spasm and mimicking acute myocardial infarction.

A 24-year-old healthy man consulted to our center because of typical on-and-off chest-pain and an electrocardiogram showing ST-segment elevation in inferior leads. An urgent coronary angiography showed angiographically normal coronary arteries. Cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging confirmed acute myocarditis.

Transient myocardial tissue and function changes during a marathon in less fit marathon runners.

Background: Although regular physical activity improves health, strenuous exercise might transiently increase cardiac risk. Training and fitness might provide protection.

Methods: We prospectively studied 20 recreational marathon runners without known cardiovascular disease or symptoms: at peak training before, immediately after, and 3 months after a 42.

Exercise-induced exaggerated blood pressure response in men with the metabolic syndrome: the role of the autonomous nervous system.

Introduction: Abnormalities in the autonomic nervous system in the presence of insulin resistance may be involved in the pathophysiology of obesity-associated hypertension. We evaluated the association between exercise-induced exaggerated blood pressure (BP) response [exercise-induced hypertension (EIH)] and heart rate variability (HRV) and insulin resistance in men with metabolic syndrome (MetS).

Materials And Methods: Ninety-eight resting normotensive men with MetS underwent a maximal symptom-limited treadmill test.

Exercise-induced hypertension in men with metabolic syndrome: anthropometric, metabolic, and hemodynamic features.

Objective: Metabolic syndrome is associated with increased cardiac morbidity. The aim of this study was to evaluate exercise-induced hypertension (EIH) in men with metabolic syndrome and to explore potential associations with anthropometric and metabolic variables.

Methods: A total of 179 normotensive men with metabolic syndrome underwent a maximal symptom-limited treadmill test.

Insulin resistance, low cardiorespiratory fitness, and increased exercise blood pressure: contribution of abdominal obesity.

Individuals with insulin resistance and low cardiorespiratory fitness are frequently found to have an increased waist circumference and high exercise blood pressure. We tested the hypothesis that the relationships among insulin resistance, low cardiorespiratory fitness, and increased exercise blood pressure may be mediated by an elevated waist circumference. This study included 317 apparently healthy men and women (mean age: 34.

Intracoronary compared to intravenous Abciximab and high-dose bolus compared to standard dose in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction undergoing transradial primary percutaneous coronary intervention: a two-by-two factorial placebo-controlled randomized study.

Platelet aggregation inhibition (PAI) of > or =95% has been associated with improved outcomes after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitor treatment. A greater thrombotic burden in acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) might require higher doses and/or intracoronary delivery of glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitors to achieve optimal PAI. Using a 2 x 2 factorial placebo-controlled design, 105 patients with STEMI who had been referred for primary PCI within 6 hours of symptom onset were randomized to intracoronary (IC) or intravenous (IV) delivery of an abciximab bolus at a standard dose (0.

Impact of female gender and transradial coronary stenting with maximal antiplatelet therapy on bleeding and ischemic outcomes.

Background: Female gender has been associated with poorer outcomes after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and femoral approach. However, no data are available on the impact of gender and transradial PCI with maximal antiplatelet therapy on bleeding and ischemic outcomes.

Methods: In the EArly discharge after Stenting of coronarY arteries (EASY) trial, 1,348 patients with acute coronary syndrome underwent transradial PCI.

Elevated peak exercise systolic blood pressure is not associated with reduced exercise capacity in subjects with Type 2 diabetes.

Subjects with Type 2 diabetes without cardiovascular disease have a reduced exercise capacity compared with nondiabetic subjects. However, the mechanisms responsible for this phenomenon are unknown. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of exercise systolic blood pressure (SBP) response on diverse exercise tolerance parameters in Type 2 diabetic subjects.

Impact of early screening for reflux in siblings on the detection of renal damage.

Objective: To assess the impact of screening siblings after detecting significant vesico-ureteric reflux (VUR) and renal scarring, as such screening might identify patients with VUR before urinary tract infections develop, but might also detect clinically insignificant VUR.

Patients And Methods: We used a previously reported screening protocol to assess the clinical characteristics of patients, including the incidence of renal scarring, and their siblings, and compared the results. In all, 123 children were screened and 44 (36%) had VUR on voiding cystography.