Michael J. Lim

Hemodynamic abnormalities across an anomalous left main coronary artery assessment: Evidence for a dynamic ostial obstruction

Anomalous left main coronary arteries have been associated with sudden cardiac death, especially when arising from the right coronary cusp and following an anterior course. To date, imaging procedures have been the mainstay of the decision‐making process in determining which patients should undergo surgery for correction of this anomaly and which patients are presumed to be at low risk. We report on the hemodynamic evaluation of an anomalous left main performed in support of elected surgical correction in a young patient. Catheter Cardiovasc Interv 2004;63:294–298.

Determinants of embolic protection device use: Case study in the acceptance of a new medical technology

As innovative technologies emerge and clinical trial evidence demonstrates their efficacy, incorporating the use of new devices into routine clinical practice becomes a challenge. Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) of saphenous vein grafts (SVG) has remained a problematic subset in modern day practice, as it may be complicated by distal embolization and the no-reflow phenomenon [1]. As a consequence, periprocedural myocardial infarction and major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) are more frequent when PCI is attempted in SVGs [2–3]. Adjunctive platelet glycoprotein IIb/ IIIa inhibitor usage has had no effect on MACE rates in SVG PCI [4]. The development of distal protection devices for use in this setting holds the promise of improved results. Approved devices consist of balloon occlusion aspiration systems and mechanical filters to be placed within the vein graft during the intervention. Randomized studies demonstrating the capability of these devices to decrease MACE have been conducted [5–7]. Given the evidence supporting usage of distal protection devices for SVG PCI, a survey of SCAI members was developed to analyze the determinants of its use and to define the current frequency of its employment by interventionists in the United States. MATERIALS AND METHODS

Transapical mitral replacement with anterior leaflet splitting: A novel technique to avoid left ventricular outflow tract obstruction

From the Center for Comprehensive Cardiovascular Care, Saint Louis University, St Louis, Mo. Disclosure: Authors have nothing to disclose with regard to commercial support. Received for publication July 20, 2017; revisions received Sept 28, 2017; accepted for publication Oct 20, 2017; available ahead of print Dec 2, 2017. Address for reprints: Richard Lee, MD, MBA, 3635 Vista Ave, DT 13th Floor, St Louis, MO 63110 (E-mail: rlee@slu.edu). J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 2018;155:e95-8 0022-5223/

Myofibroblastic sarcoma of mitral valve: A case report

36.00 Copyright 2017 by The American Association for Thoracic Surgery https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jtcvs.2017.10.059