Two in one is better than one plus one: comparison of adverse events between combining electrophysiological examination and coronary angiography versus performing them consecutively.

PURPOSE: In some patients, both an electrophysiological examination (EPS) and a coronary angiography (CA) are necessary. It might be preferable to choose a combined approach of EPS and CA versus performing them consecutively. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the type and rate of adverse events between both approaches. METHODS: Patients were eligible if they underwent a CA and an EPS in a combined approach or in a time interval of at most 2 months. In all patients, clinical adverse events were recorded. RESULTS: A total of 1184 patients were included. CA and EPS were performed in a combined procedure (comb) in 492 patients, whereas they were performed consecutively in 692 patients (cons). The acute major complication rate was 0.67%, showing no differences between both groups. In the comb 6.9% and in the cons 6.6% of vascular complications were observed (p = 0.20). The rates of AV fistula and hematoma needing transfusion showed a significantly higher rate in the cons group (p = 0.018 and p = 0.045, respectively). In a multivariate logistic regression analysis, age was a significant predictor for groin complications. After propensity matching, AV fistula occurred significantly more often in the cons group (p = 0.002). CONCLUSION: Overall, serious adverse events were rare and there were no differences between the combined approach of EPS and CA and the consecutive approach; however, the occurrence of AV fistula and groin hematoma needing transfusion occurred significantly less in the combined procedure group. Therefore, a combined approach is preferable to a consecutive one.

Segmental degradation of left ventricular wall motion after persistent coronary fistula in a posttransplantation patient: a case report and short review of literature.

A 50-year-old man received an orthotopic heart transplant because of severe coronary heart disease and congestive heart failure. Two years after the transplantation, a continuous murmur occurred at the left sternal edge after repeated endomyocardial biopsies. Echocardiography and coronary angiography revealed a dilated left anterior descending artery with a fistula to the right ventricle. The circumflex was large with an equally postero-lateral branch, and the right coronary artery was rather small with collaterals to the distal part of the left anterior descending branch. The patient had refused any intervention to close the fistula. The left ventricular levogram was normal. Two years later, in a follow-up angiogram, the left ventricular ejection fraction had decreased as a result of hypo- and akinesis of the apex and posterior wall. We suggest that this local wall motion disturbance derives from a steal phenomenon rather than being a sequela of rejection. The decrease in left ventricular ejection fraction was associated with shortness of breath upon moderate exercise. Standard heart failure medication relieved the patient's symptoms. The observation of local wall motion disturbances in this case, as well as conflicting views in the literature, raises the question whether postbiopsy coronary fistulas in transplant patients should be closed.