Transcatheter Closure of Complex Left Circumflex to Coronary Sinus Fistula.

Coronary artery fistulae connecting the left circumflex to the coronary sinus are rare. Surgical closure of coronary sinus connections is technically challenging because of the location, especially in high-risk surgical patients. We used multimodality imaging to delineate the drainage site and successfully closed a left circumflex to coronary sinus fistula using a transcatheter closure technique.

Monophasic action potential amplitude for substrate mapping.

Although radiofrequency ablation has revolutionized the management of tachyarrhythmias, the rate of arrhythmia recurrence is a large drawback. Successful substrate identification is paramount to abolishing arrhythmia, and bipolar voltage electrogram's narrow field of view can be further reduced for increased sensitivity. In this report, we perform cardiac mapping with monophasic action potential (MAP) amplitude.

Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell-Derived Cardiomyocyte Patch in Rats With Heart Failure.

Background: To treat chronic heart failure (CHF), we developed a robust, easy to handle bioabsorbable tissue-engineered patch embedded with human neonatal fibroblasts and human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes (hiPSC-CMs). This patch was implanted on the epicardial surface of the heart covering the previously infarcted tissue.

Methods: Sprague-Dawley rats (6-8 weeks old) underwent sham surgery (n = 12) or left coronary artery ligation (n = 45).

Endothelial vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 is a marker for high-risk carotid plaques and target for ultrasound molecular imaging.

Background: Molecular imaging of carotid plaque vulnerability to atheroembolic events is likely to lead to improvements in selection of patients for carotid endarterectomy (CEA). The aims of this study were to assess the relative value of endothelial inflammatory markers for this application and to develop molecular ultrasound contrast agents for their imaging.

Methods: Human CEA specimens were obtained prospectively from asymptomatic (30) and symptomatic (30) patients.

Electrical and mechanical alternans during ventricular tachycardia with moderate chronic heart failure.

A chronic heart failure (CHF) rat underwent epicardial programmed electrical stimulation (PES). Ventricular tachycardia (VT) developed during PES. Mechanical alternans was noted despite fixed tachycardia cycle length.

Over-the-balloon placement of the Gore Hybrid Vascular Graft in challenging clinical conditions.

This report describes a useful technique for deployment of the Gore Hybrid Vascular Graft (W. L. Gore and Associates, Flagstaff, Ariz) in difficult clinical situations that create challenges in obtaining vascular control before introducing the nitinol-reinforced section of the graft.