Choking as a cause of negative pressure pulmonary oedema (NPPE) in an older adult.

An 86-year-old female presented to the Emergency Department (ED) in respiratory distress after choking on a sandwich at home. Her family had noticed that she had had difficulty during and coughing after swallowing for several months. Her initial chest x-ray showed diffuse alveolar infiltrates in both lungs and blood tests showed normal white cells and C-Reactive Protein (CRP).

The "free" right internal thoracic artery: a versatile and durable conduit.

Background: Despite its potential advantages, the right internal thoracic artery (RITA) is used as a conduit in only 4% of coronary revascularizations. To broaden its application, we frequently use the RITA as a free graft. In this study, we review our experience with the RITA as an in situ and free graft.