Large intercoronary communication between the right coronary artery and the left circumflex artery in a patient with late stent thrombosis: A case report.

Intercoronary communication (ICC) is a very rare coronary artery anomaly that connects directly 2 coronary arteries. This anastomosis is found between 2 nonobstructed coronary arteries with unidirectional or bidirectional blood flow. We report a case of a large ICC between the right coronary artery and the left circumflex artery in a patient with late stent thrombosis. The electrocardiogram showed ST-segment elevation in the anterior leads. The echocardiography investigation revealed hypokinesis in the proximal, medial and apical segments of the interventricular septum and anterior wall as well as the apex. During invasive coronary examination a large ICC between the left circumflex artery (LCx) and the right coronary artery (RCA) was found. Furthermore, coronary angiography demonstrated proximal occlusion (stent thrombosis) of the left anterior descending artery (LAD), prompting the utilization of percutaneous intervention with a drug-eluting stent. The presence of a large intercoronary communication is an exceedingly uncommon anomaly of the coronary arteries, which has the potential to induce myocardial ischemia. In individuals with obstructive coronary artery disease, this anomaly can further worsen the existing condition.

Predictors of Spontaneous Echo Contrast in Left Heart Chambers in Patients with Dilated Cardiomyopathy: Slowing Down Might not Always Mean Enjoying Life.

INTRODUCTION: Spontaneous echo contrast(SEC) is usually detected in heart chambers as a result of reduced flow velocity in the cavity. The clinical importance of SEC lies in its association with embolic events. The aim of our study was to determine the frequency of SEC in left heart chambers in sinus rhythm patients with dilated cardiomyopathy and predictors for its emergence. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a prospective cross-sectional transesophageal echocardiography study conducted in 101 sinus rhythm patients with dilated heart and mild-to-moderate systolic dysfunction. RESULTS: Moderate-degree SEC was found in the left ventricle(LV) in around 9% of patients, in the left atrium(LA) in 12% and in left atrial appendage(LAA) in 40%. Multiple regression analysis showed that lower heart rate(95% confidence interval[CI]: 0.845-0.978; P = 0.011) and larger LV end-systolic diameter(LVESD)(95% CI: 1.034-1.394; P = 0.017) were independent predictors for LV SEC presence. Lower LV ejection fraction(LVEF) (95% CI: [-0.079]-[-0.037]; P = 0.0001) was the only independent predictor for SEC in the LA. Whereas, independent predictors for SEC in LAA were lower heart rate(95% CI:[-0.030]-[-0.003]; P = 0.018), greater LA indexed diameter (95% CI: 0.016-0.116; P = 0.010), and higher value of C-reactive protein(CRP)(95% CI: 0.0026-0.031; P = 0.027). CONCLUSIONS: SEC in left heart chambers is a frequent finding in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy in sinus rhythm. Lower heart rate and LVEF, larger LVESD and LA, as well as higher CRP, predict the presence of SEC in left heart chambers. Lower heart rate might be an essential predictor for SEC presence and severity in these patients.

Ectopic Origin of Coronary Arteries Diagnozed by Coronary Angiography.

INTRODUCTION: Anomalous origin of coronary arteries from opposite sinus of Valsalva is rare finding. The incidence of anomalous origination of the left coronary artery from right sinus is 0.15% and the right coronary artery from the left sinus is 0.92%. The ectopic origin of left coronary artery or right coronary artery from opposite sinus depending on pathways and considering atherosclerotic changes are manifested with different clinical significance. CASE REPORT: We report two cases, the first case the coronary angiography showed the left coronary artery arising from the right coronary sinus, presenting with proximally and distally stenosed left anterior descending artery (LAD), associated with medial and distal stenosed right coronary artery (RCA). The second case the coronary angiography revealed the right coronary artery arising from the left coronary sinus, associated with tortuous medial and distal segments of left anterior descending artery (LAD), without atherosclerotic changes. The first case successfully underwent treatment procedures based on guidelines for revascularization. CONCLUSION: The coronary angiography of patients with coronary ischemia determines atherosclerotic disease with possibility of the presence of coronary artery anomalies that in cases with ectopic origin from opposite sinus continues to exist as a challenge during treatment in interventional cardiology.

Left ventricular and left atrial thrombi in sinus rhythm patients with dilated ischemic cardiomyopathy.

INTRODUCTION: Ischemic dilated cardiomyopathy offers a favorable terrain for left ventricular (LV) thrombus formation; however, left artial appendage (LAA) may be an additional source of thrombi in patients with dilated heart. The main objectives of this study were to determine the prevalence of LV and LAA thrombi in patients with chronic ischemic dilated cardiomyopathy in sinus rhythm, as well as to reveal echocardiographic predictors for thrombus formation. METHODS: The study included 57 patients with chronic dilated ischemic cardiomyopathy in sinus rhythm, who were not under oral anticoagulation therapy. Exclusion criteria included patients with: swallowing problems, acute myocardial infarction, idiopathic and/or non-ischemic dilated cardiomyopathy, atrial fibrillation/flatter, severe systolic dysfunction. Transthoracic echocardiography and transesophageal echocardiography were obtained for each patient. RESULTS: Mean patient age was 62 +/- 10.5 years, mean LV end diastolic diameter was 67.2 +/- 5.8 mm, whereas mean LV ejection fraction (EF) was 37.1 +/- 4.3%. LV thrombus was detected in 11 (19.3%) patients; while 23 (40.3%) patients had LAA thrombus. In a multiple regression analysis LV size (p = 0.05) and lack of aspirin therapy (p = 0.02) showed to be independent LV thrombus predictors, whereas lower LV EF (p = 0.02) and larger LAA maximal area (p = 0.004) demonstrated to be independent predictors of LAA thrombus. CONCLUSIONS: We consider that our study sheds light to the high possibility of LAA thrombi formation in addition to LV thrombi in patients with chronic dilated ischemic cardiomyopathy in sinus rhythm. LV size, LV EF, LAA maximal area and lack of aspirin therapy are shown to be independent predictors of left heart chamber thrombi in this patient category.

Physicians' acquaintance with a new procedure results in higher patient referral: experience of Kosovo in coronary angiography.

UNLABELLED: The first coronary angiography in Kosovo was completed in 2003. We analyzed coronary angiographies performed in our center from October 2003 until October 2009 divided into two 3-year periods. THE AIMS OF OUR STUDY WERE: to compare the number of coronary angiographies completed in the two periods; to evaluate the prevalence of normal coronary angiographies diagnosed in the first period compared to the second period; and to assess the prevalence of advanced coronary artery disease in the first three years compared to the last three years. This was a prospective angiography study that included 1,139 patients. The first group had 422 patients, who underwent the angiography procedure during the first three years, and the second group had 717 patients that went through the procedure during the last three years. In the first year, 109 coronary angiographies were completed, followed by 137, 176, 213, 218 and 286 (P<0.001) procedures in the subsequent years. In the first period, a normal or near-normal coronary artery profile was found in 27% of patients, while this figure rose to approximately 39% in the second period (P=0.004). Advanced coronary artery disease was found in 45% of the patients who underwent coronary angiography during the first three years, whereas this figure was only 24% of cases during the second period (P<0.001). We believe that the availability of specialized resources and the physicians' familiarity with coronary angiography in our country influenced their decision to refer more patients for this procedure.

Right bundle branch block as a marker for interatrial septal abnormalities.

BACKGROUND: Interatrial septal anomalies, which include atrial septal defect, patent foramen ovale, and atrial septal aneurysm, are common disorders among adult patients. Early detection of interatrial septal anomalies is important in order to prevent haemodynamic consequences and/or thromboembolic events. Electrocardiogram offers some clues that should serve as hints for detection of interatrial abnormalities. The aim of our study was to analyse the interatrial septum by transoesophageal echocardiography in patients with electrocardiogram signs of right bundle branch block and in those without right bundle branch block. METHODS AND RESULTS: In a prospective study, 87 adult patients were included, that is, 41 with electrocardiogram signs of right bundle branch block forming the first group and 46 without right bundle branch block forming the second group. Interatrial septal anomalies were present in 80.5% of the patients with right bundle branch block, with patent foramen ovale (39.02%) being the most prevalent disorder, followed by atrial septal aneurysm (21.9%) and atrial septal defect (19.5%). Interatrial septal abnormalities were significantly more frequent in the first group compared with the second group (80.5% versus 6.5%, p value less than 0.001). Independently, patent foramen ovale was significantly more prevalent in patients with right bundle branch block (39.02% versus 4.3%, p value less than 0.001), as were atrial septal aneurysm (21.9% versus 2.2%, p value equal 0.01) and atrial septal defect (19.5% versus 0%, p value equal 0.004). CONCLUSIONS: Right bundle branch block should serve as a valuable indicator to motivate a detailed search for interatrial septal abnormalities.