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Clin Transl Med 2020 Jul 3. Epub 2020 Jul 3.

Department of Cardiology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, P. R. China.

Background: Inflammation, oxidative stress, and apoptosis contribute to the evolution of doxorubicin (DOX)-induced cardiotoxicity. Osteocrin (OSTN) is a novel secretory peptide mainly derived from the bone and skeletal muscle, and plays critical roles in regulating bone growth and physical endurance. Inspiringly, OSTN was also reported to be abundant in the myocardium that functioned as a therapeutic agent against cardiac rupture and congestive heart failure in mice after myocardial infarction. Read More

Eur Heart J Case Rep 2020 Jun 3;4(3):1-5. Epub 2020 May 3.

University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.

Background: Coronary artery aneurysms (CAA) are often diagnosed incidentally on coronary angiography or imaging modalities done for other reasons. 'Giant' CAA by definition exceeds 20 mm in diameter or four times the diameter of normal coronary artery. The management of patients with CAAs is challenging due to poorly understood mechanism, variable presentation, and lack of clear-cut societal recommendations. Read More

Eur Heart J Case Rep 2020 Jun 3;4(3):1-5. Epub 2020 May 3.

Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Shin-Yurigaoka General Hospital, 255 Furusawatsuko, Asao-Ward, Kawasaki City, Kanagawa 180-8610, Japan.

Background: Coronary artery fistulas are rare and most commonly asymptomatic; however, they can become enlarged and rupture in some cases.

Case Summary: We report a case of a 51-year-old woman who was brought to our hospital unconscious in an ambulance. Cardiac tamponade caused by the rupture of an aneurismal coronary-pulmonary artery fistula (CPAF) was detected by contrast-enhanced computed tomography and confirmed by invasive coronary angiography. Read More

Eur Heart J Case Rep 2020 Jun 15;4(3):1-6. Epub 2020 May 15.

Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Shizuoka Children's Hospital, 860 Urushiyama, Aoiku, Shizuoka City, Shizuoka 420-8660, Japan.

Background: EXCOR Paediatric is used worldwide as a bridge-to-transplant treatment. It provides improved patient stability during the waiting period compared with previous ventricular assist device (VAD). However, investigations into complications which may occur among the paediatric population during long waiting periods are still sparse. Read More

Eur Heart J Case Rep 2020 Jun 26;4(3):1-4. Epub 2020 May 26.

Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, 2-2 Yamada-oka, Suita 565-0871, Japan.

Background: Aortic root rupture is a severe complication of balloon-expandable transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). Although previous studies have revealed several risk factors for this complication, predicting this complication is occasionally difficult.

Case Summary: A 78-year-old male patient underwent TAVR via a transfemoral approach using a 29-mm balloon-expandable valve. Read More

Eur Heart J Case Rep 2020 Jun 1;4(3):1-5. Epub 2020 May 1.

Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Hospital das Clínicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Avenida Professor Alfredo Balena n 110, Belo Horizonte MG 30.130-100, Brazil.

Background: Left ventricular rupture is the most feared complication in mitral valve surgery. Despite its low incidence, mortality rates can reach up to 75%. It usually presents on the operating room with a dissecting haematoma followed by massive bleeding after discontinuing cardiopulmomary bypass. Read More

Eur Heart J Case Rep 2020 Jun 26;4(3):1-5. Epub 2020 May 26.

Hero DMC (Dayanand Medical College) Heart Institute, Civil Lines, DMC Road, Tagore Nagar, Ludhiana, Punjab 141001, India.

Background: Aneurysms of the sinus of Valsalva (SOV) are thin-walled outpouchings most commonly involving the right or non-coronary sinuses. Because they are asymptomatic, they are rarely discovered before they rupture and form an aorto-cardiac fistula. We present a rare case of unruptured aneurysm of the right coronary SOV burrowing into the interventricular septum with severe aortic incompetence and left ventricular dysfunction. Read More

Gen Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 2020 Jul 1. Epub 2020 Jul 1.

Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, University of Miyazaki, 5200, Kihara Kiyotake-cho, Miyazaki, Miyazaki, 889-1692, Japan.

Removal of the infected prosthesis is considered an essential procedure in the treatment of prosthetic graft infection following cardiovascular surgery. Here, we present a case of left ventricular patch infection following repair of left ventricular rupture that was successfully treated by coverage with a latissimus dorsi muscle flap without patch removal. A 61-year-old man underwent double-patch repair for left ventricular-free wall rupture following posterior myocardial infarction. Read More

Heart 2020 Jul 1. Epub 2020 Jul 1.

University Cardiology, Department of Medical Sciences, AOU Città della Salute e della Scienza di Torino and University of Torino, Torino, Italy.

Colchicine is an ancient drug, traditionally used for the treatment and prevention of gouty attacks; it has become standard of treatment for pericarditis with a potential role in the treatment of coronary artery disease. Atherosclerotic plaque formation, progression, destabilisation and rupture are influenced by active proinflammatory cytokines interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-18 that are generated in the active forms by inflammasomes, which are cytosolic multiprotein oligomers of the innate immune system responsible for the activation of inflammatory responses. Colchicine has a unique anti-inflammatory mechanism: it is not only able to concentrate in leucocytes, especially neutrophils, and block tubulin polymerisation, affecting the microtubules assembly, but also inhibits (NOD)-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome. Read More

J Am Heart Assoc 2020 Jul 2:e015579. Epub 2020 Jul 2.

Cardiology Division Massachusetts General Hospital Harvard Medical School Boston MA.

Background Seasonal variations in acute coronary syndromes (ACS) have been reported, with incidence and mortality peaking in the winter. However, the underlying pathophysiology for these variations remain speculative. Methods and Results Patients with ACS who underwent optical coherence tomography were recruited from 6 countries. Read More

BMC Surg 2020 Jun 30;20(1):146. Epub 2020 Jun 30.

Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Sichuan University West China Hospital, #37 Guoxue Xiang, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, China.

Background: Congenital left ventricular diverticulum is a rare cardiac malformation usually requiring total resection.

Case Presentation: This report describes an infant presenting with a large apical diverticulum with a wide ventricle connection. Given the vicinity of the left anterior descending coronary artery to the diverticulum and its wide ventricular connection, partial resection was undertaken. Read More

J Cardiopulm Rehabil Prev 2020 Jul;40(4):215-223

Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Henry Ford Hospital, Detroit, Michigan (Drs Ehrman and Keteyian); The Heart and Vascular Institute, Hartford Hospital, Hartford, Connecticut (Drs Fernandez and Thompson); VA Medical Center, Palo Alto, California (Dr Myers); and University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada (Dr Oh).

Background: Some patients who participate in cardiac rehabilitation have aortic abnormalities, including abdominal and thoracic aneurysm (AAA and TAA, respectively). There is scant guidance on implementing exercise training in these individuals. This article reviews the epidemiology, diagnostic process, medical issues, and the available exercise training literature, and provides recommendations for performing regular exercise. Read More

Circ Res 2020 Jun 1. Epub 2020 Jun 1.

Cardiology, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, CHINA.

Macrophages are critically involved in wound healing following myocardial infarction (MI). Lgr4, a member of leucine-rich repeat-containing G protein-coupled receptor (LGR) family, is emerging as a regulator of macrophage-associated immune responses. However, the contribution of Lgr4 to macrophage phenotype and function in the context of MI remains unclear. Read More

Ann Vasc Surg 2020 Jun 26. Epub 2020 Jun 26.

Department of Vascular Surgery, University and Hospital Trust of Verona, University of Verona-School of Medicine, Verona, Italy.

Objectives: The aim of the study is to report the early and mid-term outcomes of late open conversion (LOC) after endovascular aortic repair (EVAR) using the "New Aortic Carrefour Technique" (NACT) for preservation of the stent-graft iliac limbs. Late conversions were defined as explants >6 months after previous EVAR.

Methods: Patients treated for elective or urgent LOC after EVAR with the "New Aortic Carrefour Technique" at a single centre (2009-2019), and with ≥6 months of follow-up, were included. Read More

Can J Cardiol 2019 Nov 11. Epub 2019 Nov 11.

Fuwai Hospital, National Center for Cardiovascular Diseases, Peking Union Medical College and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China. Electronic address:

Background: Trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO) has been shown to promote the development of atherosclerosis. However, the relationship between plasma TMAO and neoatherosclerosis, an important underlying mechanism of very late stent thrombosis (VLST), is unknown.

Methods: This post hoc study investigated the association between TMAO and neoatherosclerosis in 2 independent cohorts. Read More

Cardiovasc Eng Technol 2020 Jun 26. Epub 2020 Jun 26.

Department of Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery, Aarhus University Hospital, Palle Juul-Jensens Boulevard 99, 8200, Aarhus, Denmark.

Purpose: To investigate the anatomical and functional effects of complete surgical reconstruction of the posterior mitral leaflet and associated chordae tendineae with a patch made of 2-ply small intestinal submucosal extracellular matrix in vitro.

Methods: Seven explanted mitral valves with intact subvalvular apparatus from 80-kg pigs were evaluated in a left heart simulator and served as their own controls. After testing the native valve, the mitral posterior leaflet and associated chordae tendineae were excised and reconstructed by using the 2-ply small intestinal submucosa extracellular matrix patch. Read More

Korean Circ J 2020 Jul;50(7):543-554

Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, Cardiovascular Center, Keimyung University Dongsan Hospital, Keimyung University College of Medicine, Daegu, Korea.

The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has spread worldwide. Not just respiratory complications such as pneumonia and acute respiratory distress syndrome, cardiac manifestations have drawn attention due to the increased risk of mortality and morbidity related to SARS-CoV-2 infections. The mechanisms of the cardiac injury related to SARS-CoV-2 infections have been direct cardiac injury caused by angiotensin converting enzyme 2, hypoxemia, microvascular damage, and a systemic inflammatory response. Read More

Gen Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 2020 Jun 25. Epub 2020 Jun 25.

Japan Cardiovascular Surgery Database Organization, Tokyo, Japan.

Background: Ischemic papillary muscle rupture (PMR) is a catastrophic complication following acute myocardial infarction (AMI). We evaluated early outcomes of PMR by using data from the Japan Cardiovascular Surgery Database, a nationwide Japanese registry.

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed data from 196 patients diagnosed with PMR following AMI in Japan between January 2014 and December 2017. Read More

Heart Vessels 2020 Jun 25. Epub 2020 Jun 25.

Internal Medicine III, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, Shizuoka, Japan.

Ventricular septal rupture (VSR) is a rare but fatal complication after acute myocardial infarction (AMI). However, the mortality in patients with recent VSR and appropriate timing of surgical repair have not been clarified. To examine the background characteristics and mortality of VSR patients as well as the usefulness and appropriate timing of surgery in this patient cohort. Read More

Turk J Emerg Med 2020 Apr-Jun;20(2):93-96. Epub 2020 Feb 26.

Department of Radiology, Biruni University, Istanbul, Turkey.

Polycystic liver disease (PLD) develops due to embryonic ductal plate malformation of intrahepatic bile ducts. Cysts in the liver can range from a simple compression effect to severe liver failure. The most common complication is rupture and inflammation of cyst. Read More

Cardiol J 2020 ;27(3):316-317

Division of Cardiology, Severance Cardiovascular Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea, Republic Of.

Cardiovasc Revasc Med 2020 May 23. Epub 2020 May 23.

Clinical and Interventional Cardiology Unit, Istituto Clinico S.Ambrogio, Milan, Italy.

Background: Intravascular lithotripsy (IVL) showed to be effective in dilating heavily calcified de novo coronary lesions but little is known about its performance in under-expanded stents management. Aim of this study was to assess the feasibility, effectiveness and safety of IVL for the treatment of stent underexpansion refractory to balloon dilatation.

Methods: A multicentre, retrospective cohort analysis was performed in patients undergoing IVL to treat under-expanded stents following non-compliant balloon expansion failure. Read More

Cardiol Young 2020 Jun 25:1-5. Epub 2020 Jun 25.

Pediatric Cardiac Surgery Center, Fuwai Hospital, National Center for Cardiovascular Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, No. 167 Beilishi Street, Xicheng District, Beijing100037, China.

Background: Isolated congenital tricuspid regurgitation other than Ebstein's anomaly was rare especially for children. The objective of this study was to investigate the clinical characteristics and to assess the results of tricuspid valvuloplasty for children with isolated tricuspid regurgitation.

Methods: From January 2010 to June 2019, 10 consecutive patients with isolated tricuspid regurgitation who were unresponsive to drug therapy underwent tricuspid valvuloplasty in our hospital. Read More

S D Med 2020 May;73(5):202-207

Sanford Cardiovascular Institute, Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

Optical coherence tomography (OCT) has been revolutionary in the field of medical imaging since its inception in 1991, especially in the field of ophthalmology, but its use in coronary artery disease (CAD) and percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is still to be explored to its full potential. OCT has proven benefits in guiding PCI when it comes to assessing baseline lesion characteristics, plaque burden and its composition. OCT images provide high axial resolution (10 micrometer) in assessing intra and transluminal coronary structures, which is useful in identifying vulnerable thin fibrous cap atheroma (TCFA) and to differentiate plaque rupture from plaque erosion causing acute coronary syndrome. Read More

Am J Cardiovasc Drugs 2020 Jun 23. Epub 2020 Jun 23.

Westchester Medical Center, Valhalla, NY, USA.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), is now a global pandemic with the highest number of affected individuals in the modern era. Not only is the infection inflicting significant morbidity and mortality, but there has also been a significant strain to the health care system and the economy. COVID-19 typically presents as viral pneumonia, occasionally leading to acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and death. Read More

Med Arch 2020 Apr;74(2):115-118

Private Clinic "Karabeg" Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Introduction: Widespread opinion that penetrating chest injuries are more urgent, in terms of treatment and care, contributed to underestimation of the urgency of blunt chest trauma, which in most cases is treated conservatively. It remains an open question frequency when the injuries of the heart and pericardium are not timely diagnosed and surgically treated.

Aim: To demonstrate the importance of well-timed surgical treatment of blunt chest trauma, when coupled with cardiac and pericardial injuries. Read More

Ann Palliat Med 2020 Jun 22. Epub 2020 Jun 22.

Department of Cardiology, Joint Logistic Support Force of Chinese People's Liberation Army Tianjin Rehabilitation and Recuperation Center, Tianjin 300381, China.

Background: Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) occurs when atherosclerotic lesions which present in the coronary arteries cause the intravascular plate to rupture and with the result of myocardial ischemia, hypoxia, and infarct. The preferred treatment for AMI is currently percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), for which the key to the success is the choice of anticoagulant and thrombolytic drugs during surgery. Here, we aim to explore the effects of atorvastatin combined with bivalirudin on coagulation function, cardiac function, and inflammatory factors in elderly patients with AMI who underwent PCI. Read More

Clin Appl Thromb Hemost 2020 Jan-Dec;26:1076029620932226

School of Life and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Dalian University of Technology, Panjin, China.

This research was designed to determine the association of serum lipid peroxidation products with disease severity in patients with abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA). In total, 76 pairs of AAA cases as well as matched controls were enrolled in our research using propensity score matching (PSM). And their malondialdehyde (MDA), lipid hydroperoxide (LPO), and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) levels were also detected through enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Read More

Med Hypotheses 2020 Jun 1;144:109938. Epub 2020 Jun 1.

Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Xian Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xian, China; Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute, Melbourne, Australia. Electronic address:

Left ventricular thrombus (LVT) after acute myocardial infarction (AMI) remains to be a common complication bearing adverse prognostic implication. Majority of LVT occurs within the first week after AMI. Over decades, the regional stasis of blood flow is regarded as the main reason for LVT formation. Read More

Coron Artery Dis 2020 Jun 19. Epub 2020 Jun 19.

1st Cardiology Department, University General Hospital AHEPA, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece.

Case Rep Cardiol 2020 9;2020:8890806. Epub 2020 Jun 9.

Vital Heart & Vein, HCA Houston Healthcare, Kingwood, USA.

Giant coronary artery aneurysms are a rare, asymptomatic occurrence. Presently, there is a lack of substantial research performed in the U.S. Read More

J Vasc Surg 2020 Jun 18. Epub 2020 Jun 18.

University of Iowa, IA.

Background: The Relay Thoracic Stent-Graft with Plus Delivery System (RelayPlus) (Terumo Aortic, Sunrise, FL) was designed to handle the curvature and tortuosity of the thoracic aorta. It was approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2012 and the post-approval study (PAS) was stopped early due to adequate safety and efficacy data and no difference was identified in experienced versus first-time users of RelayPlus. The purpose of this study is to report real-world outcomes of patients with TAAs and penetrating atherosclerotic ulcers (PAUs) undergoing thoracic endovascular repair (TEVAR) with RelayPlus. Read More

J Med Case Rep 2020 Jun 19;14(1):72. Epub 2020 Jun 19.

Gynecology and Obstetrics Department, Corporació Sanitària Parc Taulí, Parc Taulí s/n, 08208, Sabadell, Spain.

Background: Sacrococcygeal teratoma is one of the most frequently prenatally diagnosed neoplasias. Obstetric ultrasound has a role in the diagnosis and management of these tumors during pregnancy. In this report, we describe a multidisciplinary approach in a case of a patient with sacrococcygeal teratomas and preterm delivery, as well as postnatal outcomes. Read More

Vasc Endovascular Surg 2020 Jun 19:1538574420934620. Epub 2020 Jun 19.

Division of Vascular & Endovascular Surgery, Department of Surgery, American University of Beirut Medical Centre, Beirut, Lebanon.

Transcatheter treatment is becoming the mainstay treatment for structural heart diseases (SHD) in prohibitive surgical risk patients. Recently with the encouraging results, it is being offered to regular risk patients. Peripheral vascular complications (VCs) are still inherent to these procedures due to the nature of this atherosclerotic high-risk group and the profile of the devices. Read More

Pathol Oncol Res 2020 Jun 16. Epub 2020 Jun 16.

Heart and Vascular Center, Department of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery, Semmelweis University, Városmajor u. 68, Budapest, 1122, Hungary.

Acute aortic catastrophes (AAC), mainly ruptured aneurysms and dissections, lead all other vascular conditions in morbidity and mortality, even if intervention occurs. The aim of our study was to give a descriptive overview of the demographic and pathological characteristics of AAC. Between 1994 and 2013, 80,469 autopsies were performed at Semmelweis University hospitals in Budapest. Read More

Eur Heart J 2020 Jun 15. Epub 2020 Jun 15.

Department of Cardiology, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam Cardiovascular Sciences, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.

Aims: The COMPARE trial showed a small but significant beneficial effect of 3-year losartan treatment on aortic root dilatation rate in adults with Marfan syndrome (MFS). However, no significant effect was found on clinical endpoints, possibly due to a short follow-up period. The aim of the current study was therefore to investigate the long-term clinical outcomes after losartan treatment. Read More

J Cardiol Cases 2020 Jun 31;21(6):217-219. Epub 2020 Mar 31.

Rajaei Cardiovascular, Medical, and Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, 1995614331 Iran.

The most commonly affected area of the heart in penetrating chest trauma is the right ventricle. The occurrence of a ventricular septal defect (VSD) after penetrating trauma to the left chest has an incidence of 1% to 5%. We describe a 27-year-old man with a history of the surgical repair of right ventricular free-wall rupture due to a stab wound to the chest and a posterior muscular VSD, which was diagnosed with transthoracic echocardiography postoperatively. Read More

Rozhl Chir 2020 ;99(5):236-238

Aorto-caval fistula can be associated with abdominal aortic aneurysm. The fistula can manifest with nonspecific symptoms. The rupture of abdominal aortic aneurysm is one of the leading symptoms. Read More

J Mech Behav Biomed Mater 2020 Sep 4;109:103837. Epub 2020 May 4.

Wroclaw Medical University, Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, 211A Borowska Str., 50-556, Wroclaw, Poland.

Atherosclerotic plaques are characterized by structural heterogeneity affecting aortic behaviour under mechanical loading. There is evidence of direct connections between the structural plaque arrangement and the risk of plaque rupture. As a consequence of aortic plaque rupture, plaque components are transferred by the bloodstream to smaller vessels, resulting in acute cardiovascular events with a poor prognosis, such as heart attacks or strokes. Read More

Vet Clin North Am Equine Pract 2020 Jun 10. Epub 2020 Jun 10.

Stern Comparative Cardiac Genetics Laboratory, UC Davis, 2108 Tupper Hall, One Shields Avenue, Davis, CA 95616, USA. Electronic address:

There have been some advances in understanding the genetic contribution to ventricular septal defects in Arabians, sudden death in racehorses, and atrial fibrillation in racehorses. No genetic analyses have been published for aortic rupture in Friesians or atrioventricular block in donkeys despite strong evidence for a genetic cause. To date, no genetic mutation has been identified for any equid cardiac disease. Read More

BMC Cardiovasc Disord 2020 Jun 13;20(1):291. Epub 2020 Jun 13.

Heart and Vascular Center, Department of Vascular Surgery, Semmelweis University, 68 Városmajor street, Budapest, 1122, Hungary.

Background: Over the span of the last decade, medical research has been increasingly putting greater emphasis on the study of meteorological parameters due to their connection to cardiovascular diseases. The main goal of this study was to explore the relationship between fatal aortic catastrophes and changes in atmospheric pressure and temperature.

Methods: We used a Cox process model to quantify the effects of environmental factors on sudden deaths resulting from aortic catastrophes. Read More

Eur Heart J Cardiovasc Imaging 2020 Jun 12. Epub 2020 Jun 12.

Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Fukushima Medical University, 1, Hikariga-oka, Fukushima-shi, Fukushima 960-1295, Japan.

Ann Thorac Surg 2020 Jun 9. Epub 2020 Jun 9.

University of Kentucky Department of Surgery, Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, University of Kentucky Chandler Medical Center, Lexington Kentucky.

Cardiac Tamponade results from compression of the heart and great vessels. Mediastinal hematoma has been reported in association with cardiac tamponade in multiple settings including non-aortic mediastinal hemorrhage from cervical spine fractures, aortic and carotid aneurysmal rupture, mediastinal penetrating trauma, and cardiac penetrating trauma. There have been a few reported cases of blunt trauma to the anterior chest wall resulting in tamponade formation (1,2). Read More

Platelets 2020 Jun 12:1-14. Epub 2020 Jun 12.

Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Birmingham , Birmingham, UK.

Acute coronary syndromes (ACS) are a global cause of mortality and morbidity that affect millions of lives worldwide. Following atherosclerotic plaque rupture, platelet activation and aggregation are the two major elements that initiate thrombus formation inside a coronary artery, which can obstruct blood flow and cause myocardial ischemia; ergo, antiplatelet therapy forms a major part of the treatment strategy for ACS. Patients with ACS routinely receive dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT), which consists of aspirin and a platelet P2Y inhibitor to both treat and prevent atherothrombosis. Read More

Gen Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 2020 Jun 11. Epub 2020 Jun 11.

Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Nerima Hikarigaoka Hospital, 2-11-1 Hikarigaoka, Nerima-Ku, Tokyo, 179-0072, Japan.

A 77-year-old woman who presented with chest pain was diagnosed with acute anterior myocardial infarction. Echocardiography revealed pericardial effusion, and she underwent sutureless repair for postinfarction left ventricular free wall rupture. Echocardiography performed 2 days postoperatively revealed ventricular septal rupture and left ventricular acute dilatation. Read More

Heart Surg Forum 2020 May 14;23(3):E315-E317. Epub 2020 May 14.

Department of Intensive Care Unit of Cardiac Surgery, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China.

Aortic dissection is a severe condition that involves a tear in the wall of the major artery carrying blood out of the heart (aorta). This cardiac disease has a high mortality, particularly Stanford type A, which involves the first part of the aorta. Aortic dissection is characterized by urgent onset, rapid progress, and poor outcome [Nienaber 2003; Mehta 2002]. Read More

Heart Surg Forum 2020 Jun 4;23(3):E393-E396. Epub 2020 Jun 4.

Department for Heart Transplant, LVAD and ECMO, Clinic for Cardiac surgery, Clinical Center of Serbia, Belgrade, Serbia.

We presented surgical treatment of three patients indicated for implantation of a permanent mechanical circulatory support device and with the associated left ventricular aneurysms. In order to evade the left ventricular rupture, adverse thromboembolic events and provide safe implantation of the inflow cannula, LVAD HM3 implantation together with the reconstruction of the left ventricular aneurysmal wall was performed in two patients. Regarding the third patient, LVAD implantation upon the reconstruction of the left ventricular wall was abandoned because there was no safe location for placement of the inflow cannula. Read More

Ann Biomed Eng 2020 Jun 10. Epub 2020 Jun 10.

Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA.

Aneurysm rupture has been suggested to be related to aneurysm geometry, morphology, and complex flow activity; therefore, understanding aneurysm-specific hemodynamics is crucial. 4D Flow MRI has been shown to be a feasible tool for assessing hemodynamics in intracranial aneurysms with high spatial resolution. However, it requires averaging over multiple heartbeats and cannot account for cycle-to-cycle hemodynamics variations. Read More

Cureus 2020 May 5;12(5):e7976. Epub 2020 May 5.

Gastroenterology, Staten Island University Hospital - Northwell Health, Staten Island, USA.

Polycystic liver disease (PCLD) is a rare condition that most often occurs in patients with polycystic kidney disease and less commonly as an isolated liver disease. Complications include cyst rupture, infection, hemorrhage, and compression of surrounding organs by large cysts. We present the case of a patient with a history of PCLD who presented to our hospital with palpitations and was found to have atrial fibrillation. Read More

Eur Heart J Suppl 2020 Jun 23;22(Suppl E):E121-E124. Epub 2020 Mar 23.

Ospedale San Giovanni-Addolorata, Rome.

Inflammation plays an important role in the development of atherosclerotic lesions. A variety of stimuli promote atherosclerosis, including increased LDL cholesterol in blood, exposure to tobacco, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, or rheological stress. Inflammatory cells have an established role in the growth of atherosclerotic lesions. Read More