Simultaneous left anterior descending and right coronary stent thrombosis after aspirin withdrawal.

ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction is usually caused by plaque rupture and subsequent thrombosis of a single culprit vessel. In rare occasions, simultaneous thrombosis of 2 coronary arteries occurs, which is usually associated with a worse prognosis. Although surgery provokes hemodynamic stress, leading in some instances to myocardial ischemia due to supply/demand mismatch, other factors may also contribute to postoperative myocardial infarction. We present a case of postoperative simultaneous left anterior descending and right coronary stent thrombosis that followed cessation of long-term aspirin therapy in a patient with stable coronary artery disease. This case raises concerns with drug-eluting stents due to the higher potential for late stent thrombosis related to delayed endothelialization of the stent struts. Physicians should be very cautious when deciding to withdraw antiplatelet therapy preoperatively to avoid rebound coronary thrombosis.

Postoperative takotsubo cardiomyopathy: an illustration of the electrocardiographic features that raise suspicion for takotsubo.

Takotsubo cardiomyopathy is an increasingly recognized clinical disorder mimicking acute coronary syndrome. It is usually preceded by physical or emotional stress and recovery of the left ventricular systolic function occurs in most cases within 1-4 weeks. Takotsubo cardiomypathy can masquerade as ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction when chest pain, ST-segment elevation, and high cardiac biomarkers coexist. ST-segment elevation is encountered in approximately half of the cases of takotsubo cardiomyopathy and its pattern is indistinguishable at times from ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction. However, several electrocardiographic criteria have been shown to characterize takotsubo cardiomyopathy. Awareness of these electrocardiographic features has several diagnostic and therapeutic implications. Nevertheless, these electrocardiographic criteria alone cannot reliably differentiate between both entities, and the diagnosis of takotsubo cardiomyopathy is only established after coronary angiography confirms the absence of occlusive coronary artery disease and the characteristic apical ballooning is evident on left ventriculogram (in the case of the apical form). Herein, we present a case of postoperative takotsubo cardiomyopathy and discuss the various electrocardiographic features that raise suspicion for this transient cardiac syndrome.

Unprotected left main coronary stenting as alternative therapy to coronary bypass surgery in high surgical risk acute coronary syndrome patients.

Acute coronary syndrome has a high mortality rate that dramatically increases in the presence of left main coronary artery (LMCA) disease. Over the past decades, coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery has been commonly accepted as the standard of care for patients with LMCA stenosis and is still considered the first-line treatment in current practice guidelines. Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) of protected and unprotected LMCA has gained popularity and is increasingly utilized with comparable outcomes to CABG in randomized controlled trials. In-stent restenosis and the need for revascularization provide the main obstacle to LMCA revascularization. The advent of better PCI equipment, stents, ablative devices, intravascular ultrasound, hemodynamic support devices and antithrombotic agents have ignited a renewed interest in the practice of LMCA PCI, especially for high surgical risk patients who are neither candidates nor agreeable to CABG surgery. Herein, we review the studies comparing unprotected LMCA stenting with CABG surgery in regard to 3 main endpoints: mortality, major adverse events and the incidence of repeat revascularization.

Licorice abuse: time to send a warning message.

Licorice extract has always been recognized as a sweetener and a thirst quencher. Its nutritive value is overrated by many who consume significant amounts and are prone to complications. Glycyrrhetic acid, the active metabolite in licorice, inhibits the enzyme 11-ß-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase enzyme type 2 with a resultant cortisol-induced mineralocorticoid effect and the tendency towards the elevation of sodium and reduction of potassium levels. This aldosterone-like action is the fundamental basis for understanding its health benefits and the wide spectrum of adverse effects. Herein, we present a comprehensive review of licorice along with the reported complications related to excess intake. Despite its apparent use in a few clinical scenarios, the daily consumption of licorice is never justified because its benefits are minor compared to the adverse outcomes of chronic consumption. The review highlights the importance of investigating the dietary habits and herbal remedies which are being used worldwide on cultural and habitual bases rather than reliable scientific evidence. Licorice is a US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved food supplement used in many products without precise regulations to prevent toxicity. Increased awareness among the public is required through TV commercials, newspapers, internet sites, magazines and product labels regarding the upper limit of ingestion and health hazards associated with excess intake. We hope that this review will serve as a warning message that should be transmitted from physicians to patients to avoid excessive licorice intake as well as a message to the FDA to start regulating the use of this substance.