Rita Faria

New less invasive ventricular reconstruction technique in the treatment of ischemic heart failure

Ischemic cardiomyopathy is the leading cause of heart failure. In patients with left ventricular (LV) dilatation, low ejection fraction, and transmural scar in an anteroseptal distribution, surgical ventricular reconstruction (SVR) is a treatment option. We describe our first experience with the Less Invasive Ventricular Enhancement (LIVE) technique using the Revivent™ system (Bioventrix Inc., San Ramon, CA), in the treatment of a large anteroapical aneurysm.

Left-side pericardial agenesis: Putting the pieces together

A 56‐year‐old woman complained of atypical chest pain. At initial diagnostic workup, chest radiograph and transthoracic echocardiogram depict specific findings that raised the suspicion of pericardial agenesis. Cardiac computed tomography showed extreme levoposition of the heart and interposition of lung parenchyma between the aorta and the pulmonary artery. Those findings were consistent with the diagnosis of left‐side pericardial agenesis, which was subsequently confirmed in cardiac magnetic resonance study. Left‐side pericardial agenesis is rare and can result in nonspecific symptoms. An integrated multimodality imaging approach may provide incremental value on diagnosis approach. Its benign prognosis allows a conservative approach.

Increased risk for metachronous gastric adenocarcinoma following gastric MALT lymphoma-A US population-based study

Background Gastric mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma (gMALT) and gastric adenocarcinoma (GC) are long-term complications of chronic Helicobacter pylori (HP) gastritis. Treatment of HP infection induces remission in most patients with gMALT. Endoscopic follow-up is not currently endorsed after complete remission. However, the risk of GC in these patients is unclear. Objective The objective of this study is to estimate GC risk in gMALT patients. Methods The National Cancer Institute Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results 13 (SEER) database-Nov 2014 Sub (1992–2012) was used to identify adult patients diagnosed with gMALT between 1992 and 2012. The standardized incidence ratio of second primary GC after a latency period of 12 months was calculated and compared to a reference SEER cohort of identical age, sex and time period. The risk of GC in these patients was also stratified by latency period (five years) and age. Results We identified 2195 cases of gMALT lymphoma, and 20 (0.91%) of them subsequently developed GC with a relative risk (RR) of 4.32 (95% CI 2.64–6.67) compared to the American population. The median latency time was five years and the risk was maintained afterward (RR 4.92, 95% CI 2.45–8.79). When stratified by age group the risk was highest for the 45–64 group (RR 14.04, 95% CI 5.64–28.93). Conclusion gMALT lymphoma is associated with an increased risk of metachronous gastric adenocarcinoma. The risk is still present after more than five years of follow-up. Further studies may clarify the most adequate follow-up strategy.

A 75-year-old woman with chest pain and transient severe left ventricular systolic dysfunction

INTRODUCTION Coronary spasm can cause myocardial ischemia and angina in both patients with and without obstructive coronary artery disease. However, provocation tests using intracoronary acetylcholine (ACh) have been rarely performed in the Western world. CASE REPORT We report a case of a 75-year-old woman with a history of hypertension and a mechanical aortic prosthesis who presented in the emergency room with acute-onset chest pain, widespread ST-segment depression and severe left ventricular systolic dysfunction, with no signs of prosthesis dysfunction. Emergent coronary angiography excluded obstructive coronary artery disease. Pain relief and normalization of ST segment and systolic function occurred within six hours. The patient was treated for a possible thromboembolic myocardial infarction and was discharged home asymptomatic. Two weeks later, cardiac magnetic resonance was performed showing inferoseptal transmural infarct scar, inferior and inferolateral subendocardial infarct and mid-basal ischemia in the anterior and anterolateral walls. She was readmitted with recurrence of chest pain and it was decided to perform a provocation test with ACh. After injection of ACh into the left anterior descending artery, chest pain, ST-segment depression, blood flow impairment (TIMI 1) and transient grade 3 atrioventricular (AV) block occurred. Intracoronary administration of nitrates reversed the coronary spasm and AV conduction disturbances. Twenty minutes later, chest pain and ischemic ST changes recurred; there was no response to vasodilators and the patient developed cardiac arrest with pulseless electrical activity. Advanced life support was maintained for 32 minutes without return of spontaneous circulation. CONCLUSIONS Provocation tests have a high sensitivity and specificity for the diagnosis of vasospastic angina. Although it is rare, these tests have the potential risk of irreversible spasm leading to arrhythmia and death.

Assessment of bioabsorbable scaffolds by multislice computed tomography angiography

t i Even with recent advances in computed tomography (CT) imaging of coronary stents, blooming is still an important limitation in the assessment of stents. Recently, the introduction of bioabsorbable radiolucent scaffolds has allowed almost unrestricted imaging of the stent lumen. A 68-year-old man with a history of coronary artery disease was admitted with non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction. Coronary angiography revealed 95% stenosis of the proximal left anterior descending artery (Figure 1A1). The patient underwent percutaneous coronary intervention with implantation of a 3.5 mm×18 mm bioabsorbable everolimus-eluting poly(lactic acid) scaffold (Abbott Vascular, Santa Clara, CA) (Figure 1A2). As part of a prospective study, 64-slice CT angiography (SOMATOM Sensation 64 scanner, Siemens, Forchheim, Germany) was performed at the first month follow-up. Radiopaque indicators (arrows) at

Trombectomia percutânea reolítica no tratamento de tromboembolismo pulmonar de alto risco: experiência inicial de um centro

For years, the treatment of high-risk pulmonary embolism (PE) was based on two well-defined strategies: thrombolysis, whose benefits have been documented in randomized trials, and surgical embolectomy. However, mechanical reperfusion by percutaneous techniques is used in an increasing number of patients, and is a valid therapeutic option when there is a formal contraindication to thrombolysis, as rescue therapy when thrombolysis fails to improve hemodynamics, and/or when emergency surgical thrombectomy is unavailable or contraindicated. This article discusses the indications for the use of percutaneous techniques in PE, reports the initial experience of our center with the AngioJet® thrombectomy device (Possis Medical Inc, Minneapolis, MN, USA) and reviews the available evidence, the most recent recommendations and the main complications associated with this procedure.

Implantação percutânea de válvula aórtica em doente muito jovem

Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) is the standard treatment for patients with severe aortic stenosis and unacceptable surgical risk. These are usually elderly patients with multiple comorbidities. We report the case of a 20-year-old man with mandibuloacral dysplasia, an extremely rare premature ageing syndrome, and severe symptomatic aortic stenosis, referred to our center for TAVI after being considered unsuitable for surgical aortic valve replacement. TAVI by a transfemoral approach was performed successfully. Severe acute respiratory failure that did not respond to optimal conventional treatment led us to employ venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. The device was removed after 10 days, and the patient was discharged home 27 days later. At one-year follow-up he is in NYHA class I with full functional autonomy. To the best of our knowledge, this is the youngest patient to undergo TAVI reported in the literature.

Obstrução grave do tracto de saída do ventrículo esquerdo como complicação de valvuloplastia mitral: a propósito de um caso clínico

Systolic anterior motion (SAM) is a postoperative complication of mitral valve repair, with an incidence of 5 to 10%. Early recognition of the signs and symptoms of SAM is essential for the management of these patients. This article focuses on the pathophysiology and dynamics of SAM and the treatment strategies described in the literature. The authors present a case study and echocardiographic images illustrating the clinical relevance of the mechanism involved, in order to clarify whether surgical reintervention is necessary.

Positioning of the egc leads in Brugada Syndrome: higher sensitivy with lower specificity? Answers from a genetically characterized family

Monday, October 5, 2009