In vivo evaluation of Vivere bovine pericardium valvular bioprosthesis with a new anti-calcifying treatment.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of chemical treatment with glutamic acid to avoid calcification of biological cardiac valves. The bovine pericardium (BP) tissues were fixed with 0.5% glutaraldehyde (BP/GA), followed by treatment with glutamic acid (BP/GA + Glu) for neutralization of the free aldehyde groups. Microscopic analysis showed that the wavy structure of collagen fibrils was preserved, but changes in elastin's integrity occurred. However, the treatment did not promote undesirable changes in the thermal and mechanical properties of the modified BPs. These samples were systematically studied in rat subcutaneous tissue: control (BP/GA) and anticalcificant (BP/GA + Glu). After 60 days, both groups induced similar inflammatory reactions. In terms of calcification, BP/GA + Glu remained more stable with a lower index (3.1 ± 0.2 µg Ca2+ /mg dry tissue), whereas for BP/GA it was 5.7 ± 1.3 µg Ca2+ /mg dry tissue. Bioprostheses made from BP/GA + Glu were implanted in the pulmonary position in sheep, and in vivo echocardiographic analyses revealed maintenance of valvar function after 180 days, with low gradients and minimal valve insufficiency. The explanted tissues of the BP/GA + Glu group had a lower average calcium content 3.8 ± 3.0 µg Ca2+ /mg dry tissue. The results indicated high anticalcification efficiency of BP/GA + Glu in both subcutaneous implant in rats and in the experimental sheep model, which is an advantage that should encourage the industrial application of these materials for the manufacture of bioprostheses.

Multicentre, randomized, double-blind trial of intracoronary autologous mononuclear bone marrow cell injection in non-ischaemic dilated cardiomyopathy (the dilated cardiomyopathy arm of the MiHeart study).

AIMS: Pre-clinical and few clinical studies suggest that transplantation of autologous bone marrow mononuclear cells (BMNC) improves heart function in dilated cardiomyopathies. Our objective was to determine if intracoronary injection of autologous BMNC improves the left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) of patients with non-ischaemic dilated cardiomyopathy (NIDCM). METHODS AND RESULTS: This study was a multicentre, randomized, double-blind, placebo controlled trial with a follow-up of 12 months. Patients with NIDCM and LVEF <35% were recruited at heart failure ambulatories in specialized hospitals around Brazil. One hundred and sixty subjects were randomized to intracoronary injection of BMNC or placebo (1:1). The primary endpoint was the difference in change of LVEF between BMNC and placebo groups as determined by echocardiography. One hundred and fifteen patients completed the study. Left ventricular ejection fraction decreased from 24.0% (21.6-26.3) to 19.9% (15.4-24.4) in the BMNC group and from 24.3% (22.1-26.5) to 22.1% (17.4-26.8) in the placebo group. There were no significant differences in changes between cell and placebo groups for left ventricular systolic and diastolic volumes and ejection fraction. Mortality rate was 20.37% in placebo and 21.31% in BMNC. CONCLUSION: Intracoronary injection of autologous BMNC does not improve left ventricular function in patients with NIDCM. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: URL: http://www.clinicaltrials.gov. Unique identifier: NCT00333827.

Comparative effects of mesenchymal stem cell therapy in distinct stages of chronic renal failure.

BACKGROUND: The therapeutic potential of adult stem cells in the treatment of chronic diseases is becoming increasingly evident. In the present study, we sought to assess whether treatment with mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) efficiently retards progression of chronic renal failure (CRF) when administered to experimental models of less severe CRF. METHODS: We used two renal mass reduction models to simulate different stages of CRF (5/6 or 2/3 mass renal reduction). Renal functional parameters measured were serum creatinine (SCr), creatinine clearance (CCr), rate of decline in CCr (RCCr), and 24-h proteinuria (PT24h). We also evaluated renal morphology by histology and immunohistochemistry. MSCs were obtained from bone marrow aspirates and injected into the renal parenchyma of the remnant kidneys of both groups of rats with CRF (MSC5/6 or MSC2/3). RESULTS: Animals from groups MSC5/6 and CRF2/3 seemed to benefit from MSC therapy because they showed significantly reduction in SCr and PT24h, increase in CCr and slowed the RCCr after 90 days. Treatment reduced glomerulosclerosis but significant improvement did occur in the tubulointerstitial compartment with much less fibrosis and atrophy. MSC therapy reduced inflammation by decreasing macrophage accumulation proliferative activity (PCNA-positive cells) and fibrosis (α-SM-actin). Comparisons of renal functional and morphological parameters responses between the two groups showed that rats MSC2/3 were more responsive to MSC therapy than MSC5/6. CONCLUSION: This study showed that MSC therapy is efficient to retard CRF progression and might be more effective when administered during less severe stages of CRF.

Preparation and characterization of an acellular bovine pericardium intended for manufacture of valve bioprostheses.

Major problems with biological heart valves post-implantation are associated with progressive structural deterioration and calcification attributed to glutaraldehyde processing, dead cells, and cell fragments present in the native tissue. In spite of these problems, glutaraldehyde still is the reagent of choice. The results with acellular matrix xenograft usually prepared by detergent treatment in association with enzymes are rather conflicting because while preserving mechanical properties, tissue morphology and collagen structure are process dependent. This work describes a chemical approach for the preparation of an acellular bovine pericardium matrix intended for the manufacture of heart valve bioprostheses. Cell removal was performed by an alkaline extraction in the presence of calcium salts for periods ranging from 6 to 48 h. The results showed that cell removal was achieved after 12 h, with swelling and negative charge increasing with processing time. Nevertheless, collagen fibril structure, ability to form fibrils, and stability to collagenase were progressive after 24-h processing. There was no denaturation of the collagen matrix. A process is described for the preparation of acellular bovine pericardium matrices with preserved fibril structure and morphology for the manufacture of cardiac valve bioprostheses and may be used in other applications for tissue reconstruction.

In vitro properties and performance of glutaraldehyde-crosslinked bovine pericardial bioprostheses treated with glutamic acid.

Calcification is one of the major causes of failure of heart valve bioprostheses (HVBs) derived from glutaraldehyde (GA)-processed bovine pericardium (BP) or porcine aortic valves. New crosslinking reagent procedures are still far from giving satisfactory results, and this is the main reason why GA is still the reagent of choice for the fixation of native tissue intended for HVB manufacture. Nevertheless, two new findings with respect to GA processing may significantly improve HVB performance postimplantation: the finding that increasing concentrations of GA result in a decrease in calcification; the blocking of free aldehyde usually by nucleophyles or the treatment of processed material at low pH. This work investigates the in vitro properties of BP fixed with GA followed by the treatment with glutamic acid under alkaline conditions in order to prepare BP materials with lower calcification potential postimplantation. In comparison to conventional processing, except for the tensile strength that was slightly lower, elongation and toughness were higher than the accepted values. No significant differences were observed in the performance indexes (mean pressure gradient, mean effective area, regurgitant fraction, performance and efficiency indexes) with wear resistance over 150 × 106 cycles. These results indicate that the processing of BP described in this work may be of potential use in the manufacture of HVBs.

Premolded bovine pericardial chords for replacement of ruptured or elongated chordae tendineae.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to assess by Doppler echocardiography (ECO) the functioning of the mitral valve apparatus in patients who have undergone implantation of standardized bovine pericardium chordae (SBPC) for replacement of ruptured or elongated chordae tendineae with significant thinning. METHODS: SBPC were implanted in 31 patients who had mitral insufficiency due to rupture of chordae tendinae or elongated chordae with significant thinning. Patient ages ranged from 19 to 85 years (mean of 58 years). The most frequent cause of mitral insufficiency was fibroelastic degeneration in 25 patients (80.6%). The SBPC were fashioned as a set, joined at their extremities by 2 polyester-reinforced rods forming a monobloc. The SBPC were 2-mm wide and were positioned parallel to one another at a distance of 3 mm. Each set of SBPC had a corresponding measurer, and their length ranged from 20 to 35 mm. In 21 patients (67.7%) the SBPC were implanted in the posterior leaflet and in 10 patients (32.3%) in the anterior leaflet (in 2 patients concurrently in the anterior and posterior leaflets). All patients were assessed by ECO postoperatively, with a 20-month mean follow-up time (range 6-45 months). RESULTS: One patient (3.2%) died of pulmonary embolism during the early postoperative period. Postoperative ECO showed absence of mitral regurgitation in 17 patients (54.8%), mild regurgitation in 9 (29.0%), and mild-to-moderate regurgitation in 4 (12.9%). Opening and mobility of the mitral valve were normal in the 30 surviving patients. CONCLUSION: The ECO revealed good functionality of the mitral valve apparatus with appropriate leaflet coaptation in patients who had undergone implantation of SBPC for replacement of ruptured or elongated and thinned chordae. A longer follow-up is required to assess absence of calcification and/or degeneration of the SBPC.

Effect of walking on pressure variations that occur at the interface between elastic stockings and the skin.

The aim of this work was to dynamically study pressure variations exerted by elastic compression stockings during walking. While study participants walked, the pressure variations at the interface between elastic stockings and the skin were measured dynamically. Three healthy individuals wearing 10/20 and 20/30 elastic compression stockings manufactured by Sigvaris((R)) (Jundiai, São Paulo-Brazil) were requested to walk along a course for ten times at a constant speed. For every event, an apparatus specifically developed for the study and programmed to take readings at half-second intervals was used to measure the pressure exerted by the elastic stockings. The pressure exerted by the 10/20 stockings varied between 5 and 32 mmHg and for the 20/30 stockings it varied from 10 to 52 mmHg. Elastic stockings with larger pressures generate larger pressure variations during muscle activity (P-value < 0.001). In conclusion, muscle movements during walking cause the pressure exerted by elastic stockings on the leg to vary; thus, the pressure is not constant but has peaks and troughs according to the type of muscle movement and the gradient of the stockings.

Three-Dimensional Printing: is it useful for Cardiac Surgery?

INTRODUCTION: The medical use of three-dimensional (3-D) images has been a topic in the literature since 1988, but 95% of papers on 3-D printing were published in the last six years. The increase in publications is the result of advances in 3-D printing methods, as well as of the increasing availability of these machines in different hospitals. This paper sought to review the literature on 3-D printing and to discuss thoughtful ideas regarding benefits and challenges to its incorporation into cardiothoracic surgeons' routines. METHODS: A comprehensive and systematic search of the literature was performed in PubMed and included material published as of March 2020. RESULTS: Using this search strategy, 9,253 publications on 3-D printing and 497 on "heart" 3-D printing were retrieved. CONCLUSION: 3-D printed models are already helping surgeons to plan their surgeries, helping patients and their families to understand complex anatomy, helping fellows and residents to practice surgery, even for rare cases, and helping nurses and other health care staff to better understand some conditions, such as heart diseases.

Effect of Preoperative Creatinine Levels on Mortality after Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting Surgery: an Observational Study.

INTRODUCTION: Renal function is an independent risk factor for mortality among on-pump coronary bypass grafting (ONCABG) patients. This association is well known in the international literature, but there is a lack of knowledge of how admission creatinine (AC) levels modulate each cardiovascular risk factor. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this paper was to assess the effect of different AC levels on mortality among ONCABG patients. METHODS: 1,599 patients who underwent ONCABG between December 1999 and February 2006 at Hospital de Base in São José do Rio Preto/SP-Brazil were included. They were divided into quartiles according to their AC levels (QI: 0.2 ≤AC < 1.0 mg/dL; QII: 1.0 ≤ AC < 1.2 mg/dL; QIII: 1.2 ≤ AC < 1.4 mg/dL; and QIV: 1.4 ≤ AC ≤ 2.6 mg/dL). Seven risk factors were then evaluated in each stratum. RESULTS: Mortality was higher in the QIV group than QI or QII groups. Factors such as age (≥ 65 years) and cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) time (≥ 115 minutes) in QIV, as well preoperative hospital stay (≥ 5 days) in QIII, were associated with higher mortality rates. Creatinine variation greater than or equal to 0.4 mg/dL increased mortality rates in all groups. The use of intra-aortic balloon pump and dialysis increased mortality rates in all groups except for QII. Type I neurological dysfunction increased the mortality rate in the QII and III groups. CONCLUSION: Creatinine levels play an important role in ONCABG mortality. The combination of selected risk factors and higher AC values leads to a worse prognosis. On the other hand, lower AC values were associated with a protective effect, even among elderly patients and those with a high CPB time.

Compartment syndrome in patients with Buerger disease and anticardiolipin antibodies.

We report two cases of acute compartment syndrome in the anterior compartment of the lower limbs of patients with the diagnosis of Buerger disease associated with positive anticardiolipin antibodies. We comment on the rarity of the case and on the possibility of interference of two associated thrombogenic conditions. The need for early fasciotomy is emphasized since the progression to necrosis is time dependent. Fasciotomy was the only reperfusion surgery utilized on these patients with resolution of the ischemia.

Main Considerations of Cardiogenic Shock and Its Predictors: Systematic Review.

The mortality rate of post-infarction cardiogenic shock (CS) was 80.0-90.0%. Recent studies show a significant reduction of hospital mortality to approximately 50.0%. CS is defined as systemic tissue hypoperfusion resulting from systolic and/or diastolic heart dysfunction, the main cause of which is acute myocardial infarction (AMI). The main predictors are biological markers such as troponin, CKMB and lactate. A systematic literature review and meta-analysis is performed in order to present and correlate the main literary findings on CS and its evolution with possible changes in biomarkers such as troponin, lactate and CKMB. After criteria of literary search with the use of the mesh terms: cardiogenic shock; acute myocardial infarction; biomarkers; troponin; CKMB; lactate; clinical trials and use of the bouleanos "and" between the mesh terms and "or" among the historical findings. In the main databases such as Pubmed, Medline, Bireme, EBSCO, Scielo, etc., a total of 96 papers that were submitted to the eligibility analysis were collated and, after that, 41 studies were selected, following the rules of systematic review - PRISMA (Transparent reporting of systematic reviews and meta-analyzes-http://www.prisma-statement.org/). Some risk factors for its development in AMI are advanced age, female gender, anterior wall infarction, diabetes mellitus, systemic arterial hypertension, previous history of infarction and angina. The CS associated with AMI depends on its extent and its complications, being the main ones: mitral regurgitation, rupture of the interventricular septum and rupture of the free wall of the left ventricule. The diagnosis is based on the clinical manifestations, such as mental confusion, oliguria, hypotension, tachycardia, fine pulse, sweating, and cold extremities; in hemodynamic aspects: systolic blood pressure was < 90.0 mm Hg or 30 mm Hg below baseline, pulmonary capillary pressure was > 18.0 mm Hg and cardiac index was < 2.2 L/min/m2. Laboratory and imaging exams should be requested to evaluate the possible etiology of CS, its systemic repercussions and comorbidities. The treatment aims at the rapid reestablishment of the blood flow in the affected artery, to improve the patient's prognosis. The biomarkers dosage in the daily clinical practice of the different cardiological centers can facilitate the diagnosis and the conduction of the dubious cases and the best evaluation of the degree of myocardial suffering after CS.

[Prevalence of metabolic syndrome using NCEP-ATPIII and IDF definitions in Brazilian individuals]. / Prevalência de síndrome metabólica em indivíduos brasileiros pelos critérios de NCEP-ATPIII e IDF.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the biochemical profile and to characterize metabolic syndrome (MS) in patients with cardiologic medical assistance using NCEP-ATPIII and IDF definitions. METHODS: Two hundred patients and 140 controls were studied, considering total cholesterol (TC), HDL-cholesterol (HDLc), LDL-cholesterol (LDLc), VLDL-cholesterol (VLDLc), triglycerides (TG), fasting glycemia, abdominal waist and hypertension. Significance level was defined as P<0.05. RESULTS: Patients showed increased glycemia levels (103+/-31.4 mg/dL) and reduced HDLc levels (48+/-13.4 mg/dL) when compared to controls (88+/-29.7 mg/dL, P<0.0001 and 53+/-15.9 mg/dL, P=0.0075; respectively). Male controls 31-50 years old showed increased TC levels (215+/-40.4 mg/dL), LDL-cholesterol (134+/-34 mg/dL), VLDL-cholesterol (30+/-11.8 mg/dL) and TG (150+/-59.4 mg/dL) when compared to women (185+/-38.2 mg/dL, P=0.0137; 111+/-35.8 mg/dL; P=0.0324; 19+/-9.7 mg/dL; P=0.0009; 93+/-49 mg/dL, P=0.0010; respectively). Women over 50 years of age showed increased TC concentrations (216+/-35.9 mg/dL), HDL-cholesterol (54+/-12.8 mg/dL) and LDL-cholesterol (138+/-30.8 mg/dL) when compared to men (190+/-44.7 mg/dL, P=0.0103; 47+/-14.5 mg/dL, P=0.0229; 119+/-33.3 mg/dL; P=0.0176; respectively). NCEP-ATPIII and IDF definitions had characterized MS in 35.5% and 46% of patients, respectively, bolding glycemia, TG and hypertension. CONCLUSION: Elevated glycemia levels and reduced HDLc levels were detected in patients. Altered lipid profile observed in men 31-50 years old signals higher risk for cardiovascular diseases in young adults, while a similar profile in aged women can reflect hormonal physiological changes. Both definitions for MS diagnosis discriminate patients from controls, especially IDF, sometimes with lower capacity to determine high risk for cardiovascular complications. The high prevalence of MS in patients, even with cardiologic medical assistance, suggests predisposition for cardiovascular manifestations in Brazilian individuals.

Myocardial protection by continuous, blood, antegrade-retrograde cardioplegia in rabbits.

PURPOSE: To study the effectiveness of the continuous, blood, antegrade-retrograde cardioplegia in an experimental model of isolated heart, evaluating ventricular function. METHODS: Rabbits were divided into four groups: Control--C(n=10); ischemic crystalloid cardioplegia--IC(n=10); ischemic blood cardioplegia--IB(n=10); ischemic non cardioplegia--INC(n=10). After the ischemic protocol period the ventricular function was analyzed by the intra-ventricular balloon technique. RESULTS: the intra-ventricular developed pressure (IVDP) was: C(92.90 +/- 6.86mmHg); IC(77.78 +/- 6.15mmHg); IB(93.64 +/- 5.09mmHg); INC(39.46 +/- 8.91mmHg) p< 0.005. The first derivative of intra-ventricular pressure in its positive deflection was: C(1137.50 +/- 92.23mmHg/sec); IC(1130.62 +/- 43.78mmHg/sec); IB(1187.58 +/- 88.38mmHg/sec); INC(620.02 +/- 43.80mmHg/se) p<0.005. The first derivate pressure in its negative deflection was: C(770.00 +/- 73.41mmHg/sec); IC(610.03 +/- 47.43mmg/sec); IB(762.53 +/- 46.02mmHg/sec); INC(412.35 +/- 84.36mmHg/sec) p< 0,005. The stress-strain angular logarithmic coefficient was: C(0.108 +/- 0.02); IC(0.159 +/- 0.038); IB(0.114 +/- 0.016); INC(0.175 +/- 0.038) p< 0.05. CONCLUSION: The ischemic group protected by blood cardioplegia showed better ventricular function than ischemic group protected by crystalloid cardioplegia and the non protected group.

Chronic Atrial Fibrillation Ablation with Harmonic Scalpel during Mitral Valve Surgery.

Objective: To evaluate surgical treatment of chronic atrial fibrillation with ultrasound in patients with mitral valve disease, considering preoperative clinical characteristics of patients undergoing surgical procedure and follow-up in the immediate postoperative period, in hospital and up to 60 months after discharge. Methods: We studied 100 patients with chronic atrial fibrillation and mitral valve disease who underwent surgical treatment using ultrasound ablation. Patient data were reviewed by consulting the control reports, including signs and symptoms, underlying disease, functional class, hospital stay, surgical procedure time, ablation time, immediate complications, and complications at discharged and up to 60 months later. Actuarial curve (Kaplan-Meier) was used for the study of permanence without recurrence after 12, 24, 36, 48 and 60 months. Results: 86% of the patients had rheumatic mitral valve disease, 14% had degeneration of the mitral valve, 40% had mitral regurgitation, and 36% had mitral stenosis. Main symptoms included palpitations related to tachycardia by chronic atrial fibrillation (70%), congestive heart failure (70%), and previous episodes of acute pulmonary edema (27%). Early results showed that 94% of the patients undergoing ultrasound ablation reversed the rate of chronic atrial fibrillation, 86% being in sinus rhythm and 8% in atrioventricular block. At hospital discharge, maintenance of sinus rhythm was observed in 86% of patients and there was recurrence of chronic atrial fibrillation in 8% of patients. At follow-up after 60 months, 83.8% of patients maintained the sinus rhythm. Conclusion: Surgical treatment of chronic atrial fibrillation with ultrasound concomitant with mitral valve surgery is feasible and satisfactory, with maintenance of sinus rhythm in most patients (83.8%) after 60 months of follow-up.

Recurrent thrombosis in patients with deep vein thrombosis and/or venous thromboembolism associated with anticardiolipin antibodies.

Anticardiolipin antibodies represent one of the main hypercoagulation states associated with venous thromboembolism. The aim of this work was to evaluate symptomatic recurrent thrombosis in patients with anticardiolipin antibodies and deep vein thrombosis of the lower limbs with or without thromboembolism. Sixty patients who suffered from deep vein thrombosis were observed for a 5-year period, whether they had anticardiolipin antibodies or not. The group was made up of 34 females and 26 males with ages ranging from 13 to 73 years. All were diagnosed with deep vein thrombosis by means of phlebography and were tested for anticardiolipin antibodies by use of the ELISA method. The symptomatic signs of recurrent thrombosis were evaluated during this period. In total, 56.6% of the group were considered above normal for anticardiolipin antibodies, 25% positive, another 31.6% borderline, and 43.4% negative. Patients were tested positive when the anticardiolipin antibody count was >15 units/mL, borderline between 10 and 15 units/mL, and normal when <10 units/mL. The method of relative risk was used for statistical analysis of the results. Four positive patients, 1 borderline, and 1 normal patient had recurrent events of thrombosis. In the statistical analysis the relative risk for recurrent thrombosis in the positive patients was 6.0; CI 95%; 1.2 to 29.5. In conclusion patients with deep vein thrombosis who are positive for anticardiolipin antibodies present a higher risk of recurrent thrombosis.

Study of the traction resistance of mitral valve chordae tendineae.

OBJECTIVE: To determinate the extension and the resistance of the primary mitral valve chordae tendineae when submitted to traction. The importance of keeping the integrity of papillary muscle, chordae tendineae, and mitral valve cuspid when the replacement of this valve occurs is clear, but the knowledge of the maximum resistance that a primary tendinea chorda can withstand is not known. METHODS: Eight hearts were dissected, and one hundred and thirty two primary human chordae tendineae were measured (length and thickness) and submitted to traction under controlled conditions so that the absolute resistance, resistance relative to thickness (relative resistance), and elongation could be measured. RESULTS: The correlation between the elongation at the moment of rupture and the thickness was equal to 1.54 + 17.02 x thickness (P = 0.026); and to absolute resistance was equal to 0.95 + 1.42 x resistance (P < 0.001); and to the resistance relative to thickness (relative resistance) was equal to 1.95 + 0.08 x relative resistance (P = 0.009). The correlation between the absolute resistance and the thickness was equal to 0.26 + 14.53 x thickness (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The resistance of primary mitral valve chordae tendineae is associated with its thickness and elongation at the moment of rupture, but is not associated with the length. The elongation at the moment of rupture shows a relationship with the resistance relative to thickness (relative resistance) and with the thickness of the primary chordae tendineae, but not with the length of the chordae tendineae.

[Technical aspects of coronary sinus catheterization based on the atrial component of the intracavitary electrogram and radiological anatomy during the implantation procedure of a biventricular pacemaker]. / Aspectos técnicos da cateterização do seio coronariano baseada no componente atrial do eletrograma intracavitário e anatomia radiológica durante o procedimento de implante de marcapasso biventricular.

OBJECTIVE: To present a technical proposal based on the experience of 130 implantations using a simplified technique for coronary sinus catheterization, based on the atrial component of the intracavitary electrogram and radiological anatomy. METHODS: From October, 2001 to October, 2004, 130 biventricular pacemaker implantations were performed, using radiological anatomy and observation of the intracavitary electrogram, focusing on the atrial component. RESULTS: The implantation of the system using left ventricular pacing via coronary sinus was not possible in 8 patients. Difficulties on the cannulation of the coronary ostium were felt in 12 patients and difficulties of lead advancement through the coronary sinus were felt in 15 patients. The mean time of radioscopy utilization was 18.69 min. CONCLUSION: The implantation technique, using the atrial component morphology of the intracavitary electrogram and radiological anatomy showed to be workless, safe and effective for the cannulation of the coronary sinus ostium requesting reduced time of radioscopy.

Surgical Treatment for Thrombus Straddling a Patent Foramen Ovale.

We present a case of a 41-year-old female with deep vein thrombosis after abdominal surgery. The patient quickly developed severe pulmonary embolism and stroke representative of paradoxical embolism. Echocardiography showed a thrombus straddling a patent foramen ovale, which was confirmed intraoperatively. An accurate diagnosis and rapid treatment decisions are crucial for preventing patient deterioration in the form of new pulmonary embolisms or stroke.

Angina-like chest pain and syncope as the clinical presentation of left ventricular endomyocardial fibrosis: a case report.

A 47-year-old woman complained of angina-like chest pain, near-syncope, and syncopal episodes of 17 years' duration. Physical examination was unremarkable. A 12-lead resting ECG showed symmetrically inverted T waves in the inferior and anterolateral leads. A graded treadmill exercise stress test precipitated angina-like chest pain accompanied by a near-syncopal episode associated with a systemic arterial pressure of 60/40 mm Hg. Echocardiography disclosed left ventricular apical obliteration. Left ventriculogram showed a typical "ace of heart'' shadow as well as filling defects and apical obliteration. Endomyocardial biopsy of the left ventricle diagnosed left ventricular endomyocardial fibrosis. Thus, angina-like chest pain and near-syncopal episodes should be added to the list of clinical manifestations of pure left ventricular endomyocardial fibrosis.

Treatment of internal iliac artery pseudoaneurysm by an endovascular approach.

Pseudoaneurysms of the internal iliac artery are uncommon and are usually associated with trauma. We report the case of a 32-year-old man with a 15-day history of trauma to the abdomen and edema of the lower left limb. An arteriogram demonstrated proximal occlusion of the popliteal artery and a pseudoaneurysm in the internal iliac artery. Embolization of the pseudoaneurysm was performed using segments of guide wire that occluded the pseudoaneurysm, followed by proximal occlusion, which was accomplished using coils. An arteriogram after the procedure revealed adequate occlusion of the lesion. This association of guide wires and coils is a treatment option in cases of pseudoaneurysm of the internal iliac artery with large volumes needing to be occluded.