Effectiveness of balloon valvuloplasty for stenosis of a bioprosthesis in the tricuspid valve position.

A 67-year-old man underwent percutaneous balloon valvuloplasty for bioprosthetic tricuspid stenosis. He had undergone two tricuspid valve replacements over a period of 39 years and became symptomatic. After the valvuloplasty, his symptoms were resolved. Stenosis of a bioprosthetic tricuspid valve can be successfully and safely treated with balloon valvuloplasty.

Right atrial appendage thrombus found in a patient in normal sinus rhythm with normal right ventricular systolic function.

A 79-year-old woman underwent transesophageal echocardiography to evaluate the severity of her mitral regurgitation prior to urgent bypass. Evaluation of the right-sided chambers was notable for a mass in the right atrial appendage (RAA). Surgical excision and pathologic examination proved this to be a thrombus. This is the first reported case of a RAA thrombus in a patient with normal sinus rhythm and normal right ventricular (RV) function. It illustrates that complete transesophageal studies may sometimes demonstrate incidental findings, and that right atrial thrombus can (rarely) be found in patients in sinus rhythm with normal RV function.

The AmBulatory Closure Device Percutaneous Intervention (ABCD-PCI) study: a single-center experience.

The AmBulatory Closure Device Percutaneous Intervention (ABCD-PCI) study is a multicenter randomized prospective controlled trial evaluating the safety of and patient satisfaction with same-day discharge following ambulatory percutaneous intervention with a closure device. This article reviews the findings from a single center, Baylor Jack and Jane Hamilton Heart and Vascular Hospital, from October 2008 through April 2010, with 23 patients in the same-day discharge group and 21 patients in the next-day discharge group. There were no differences between the groups in demographic or procedure characteristics. Outcomes were measured by a questionnaire and 7-day and 30-day follow-up phone calls. Results showed that same-day discharge after percutaneous intervention with a closure device is as safe as next-day discharge. However, there was a trend for a higher comfort level among patients in the next-day discharge group.