Pseudoaneurysm inside of a true aneurysm.

Left ventricular pseudoaneurysms and true aneurysms are two possible complications of myocardial infarction. However, while pseudoaneuryms require urgent surgical resection, true aneuryms can often be managed medically, making imperative an accurate diagnosis.The authors describe a case of a delayed rupture of a true aneurysm that was contained and gave rise to a pseudoaneurysm inside of a true aneurysm.

[The impact of direct access to primary angioplasty on reducing the mortality associated with anterior ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction: the experience of the Algarve region of Portugal].

Introduction: There are few published data on mortality in anterior ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) in Portugal, particularly in centers with direct access to primary angioplasty. We present the experience of a center with direct access to primary angioplasty in the management of patients admitted with anterior STEMI.

Methods: We performed a retrospective study of 120 patients admitted with anterior STEMI in 2008 to Faro Hospital (Algarve region, Portugal).

Implementation of a pre-hospital network favoring primary angioplasty in STEMI to reduce mortality: the Algarve Project.

Objective: To analyze the impact of reperfusion by either primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI) or fibrinolysis, and mortality rates of a pre-hospital fast-track network for treating patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI).

Methods And Results: A pre-hospital network for STEMI patients, designated the Green Lane for Acute Myocardial Infarction (GL-AMI), has been implemented in the southern region of Portugal --the Algarve Project. We performed an observational study based on a prospective registry of 1338 patients admitted to Faro Hospital between 2004 and 2009, classified in two groups according to the method of admission: emergency department group (EDG) and GL-AMI group (GLG).

Female gender: an independent factor in ST-elevation myocardial infarction.

Introduction: Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in women. In ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) in particular, the question has been raised whether specific characteristics of women confer a worse prognosis.

Objective: To evaluate the differences in STEMI patients between the genders in cardiovascular risk profile, clinical presentation, therapeutic approach and in-hospital and 6-month mortality rates.

[Endomyocardial fibrosis with massive calcification of the left ventricle].

Endomyocardial fibrosis is a rare disease, endemic in tropical countries. It is characterized by fibrosis of the endocardium that can extend to myocardium. Important calcification of the endocardium is rare with only a few cases reported in the literature.

Apical ballooning syndrome--a review of five cases.

Introduction: Takotsubo syndrome (apical ballooning syndrome) was described for the first time in Japan, at the beginning of the 1990s. It is characterized by the acute onset of extensive but transient akinesia of the apical and mid portions of the left ventricle, in the absence of significant coronary disease.

Objective: We describe five patients who were admitted to our hospital with this new syndrome between June 2004 and December 2005.