Large mediastinal neoplasm penetrating the myocardium.

A 90-year-old female patient presented to the emergency department with abdominal pain. Computed tomography (CT) set the suspicion of a cardiac tumor in the right heart chambers. We describe the presentation, the differential diagnosis and the decision for management of the patient.

Alcohol septal ablation for outflow tract obstruction after transcatheter aortic and mitral valve replacement.

Left ventricular outflow obstruction after transcatheter mitral valve replacement is a life-threatening complication. We report a case of a 68-year old female with early degeneration of a transcatheter aortic valve and severely calcified mitral valve stenosis who was considered inoperable by a multidisciplinary heart team and referred for transcatheter aortic and mitral valve replacement. Our aim is to report the planning, procedural aspects, and management of device-related left-ventricular outflow tract obstruction after transcatheter double valve replacement.

Coronary Heart Disease in the Middle East and North Africa: Current Status and Future Goals.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The Middle East and North Africa has witnessed a dramatic transformation over the last 30 years caused by rapid urbanization and modernization and significant changes to diet and lifestyle. This review attempts to highlight recent data in regards to ischemic heart disease and its risk factors from the region. RECENT FINDINGS: Ischemic heart disease is now the leading cause of death in the region. Age at presentation with myocardial infarction and acute coronary syndrome appears to be significantly younger than global averages. Increased rates of all major risk factors including diabetes, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, smoking, obesity, and sedentary lifestyle have been noted. Specifically, significant changes to dietary habits and growing epidemic of use of alternative tobacco products are noted. This review article highlights the growing epidemic of ischemic heart disease in the region led by dramatic increases in incidence of its risk factors. This epidemic will require a multipronged approach to address the varied issues and mitigate the growing prevalence of the disease.

A case report: New technique of proximal lengthening for treatment of injection induced rectus femoris muscle contracture.

Contracture of quadriceps femoris muscle is an uncommon condition in clinical practice. It was suggested that intramuscular injections into the thigh for children are sometimes the cause of this condition. CASE REPORT: The case presents a new surgical technique for the treatment of isolated rectus femoris muscle contracture. The patient is a 6- year-old boy complaining of external rotation of the left leg when he walks and inability to squat. Clinical examination showed positive Ely's test which indicated isolated rectus femoris muscle contracture. The patient underwent proximal lengthening of rectus femoris muscle. DISCUSSION: Quadriceps femoris muscle contracture in children can be congenital or acquired. The identified causes of this case are multiple intramuscular injections, trauma or ischemia. The recommended treatment is proximal release in the early stage if contracture is diagnosed and distal lengthening of quadriceps tendon in the late stage. Surgical techniques that preserve continuity of the rectus femoris muscle have better outcomes, and give opportunity for second lengthening surgery if needed. This article presents a surgical technique of proximal rectus femoris muscle release that depends on using the length of the indirect head by transferring its attachment to the distal end of the direct head. CONCLUSION: Quadriceps femoris contracture in children leads to limited knee flexion. Proximal release in the early stage gives excellent result. The technique used in this research gives an opportunity to restore knee flexion and a chance for second release if needed.

Outcomes of Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement in the United Arab Emirates: Real-world, Single-centre Experience from an Emerging Programme.

Background: Data on outcomes of transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) in the Middle East, particularly in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), are limited. Whether centres with a low volume of patients requiring the procedure can achieve similar outcomes as those reported in pivotal clinical trials remains unclear. This study evaluates procedural outcomes of patients undergoing TAVR in a newly established programme in the UAE. Methods: Procedural outcomes of consecutive patients who underwent transfemoral TAVR at a single centre in the UAE between January 2016 and November 2021 were compared with those at centres in the lowest quartile (Q1) of procedural volume in the Transcatheter Valve Therapy Registry, which covers centres in the US. Results: Among the 183 patients included in the study, the median age was 76 years (interquartile range [IQR] 71-82), and 42.1% of patients were women, with a median Society of Thoracic Surgeons predicted risk of mortality score of 4.6 (IQR 2.9-7.5). Most of the patients (93.3%) received a balloon-expandable valve. All-cause death within 30 days, stroke and major vascular complications occurred in 0.6%, 0.6% and 2.2% of patients, respectively, compared with 3.1%, 2.2% and 4% in patients treated at Q1 hospitals. Conclusion: Patients undergoing transfemoral TAVR at an emerging centre in the Middle East had favourable outcomes compared with those performed at Q1 hospitals in the US. These findings suggest that careful patient selection for TAVR is critical and may help optimise patient outcomes, especially when procedural volumes are low.

Transcatheter aortic valve replacement in a patient with critical bicuspid aortic stenosis and cardiogenic shock: case report.

Background: Cardiogenic shock (CS) is associated with significant morbidity and mortality (27-51%). Little is known about the feasibility and safety of emergency transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) for critical aortic stenosis (AS) in acute myocardial infarction (AMI) with CS. Case summary: A 57-year-old male with history of tobacco dependence and diabetes mellitus presented with acute posterior ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction and CS. The patient initially underwent successful primary percutaneous intervention to an anomalous circumflex artery coming off the right cusp. It was noted to have advanced CS out of proportion to his coronary anatomy. Echocardiographic assessment noted critical AS. Heart team decided to perform percutaneous aortic balloon valvuloplasty under support of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. Percutaneous aortic balloon valvuloplasty was performed and was complicated by severe aortic regurgitation (AR). A balloon-expandable transcatheter heart valve was then placed with resolution of AR and stabilization of the patient. Then, the patient was subsequently decannulated within a week then was able to go home after 47 days (32 days intensive care unit). His course was notable for a minor stroke due to initial period of hypotension and CS. He was extubated and remained hospitalized for several weeks participating in rehabilitation. Follow-up echo showed a well-seated and functioning transcatheter heart valve. His left ventricular systolic function improved from 21% to 45%. Conclusion: Emergency TAVR is feasible and can be performed in a patient with AMI and CS. Early initiation of mechanical support allowed the patient to receive definitive treatment. The multidisciplinary heart team is essential and reflected in the ultimate outcome of our patient.

Early recognition of catheter-induced left main coronary artery vasospasm: implications for revascularization.

Catheter-induced left main coronary artery (LMCA) vasospasm is a rare complication of coronary angiography that confounds the decision for coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery. We report two cases of catheter-induced LMCA vasospasm. The first case was a 68-year-old woman who presented 6 years after CABG for presumed severe LMCA atherosclerotic disease. Coronary angiography demonstrated totally occluded CABGs and normal native coronary arteries, including a normal LMCA. The second case was a 56-year-old man with severe LMCA stenosis, who was scheduled for unprotected LM percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Repeat angiography 2 days later showed no stenosis. These cases emphasize the need for meticulous technique and a high index of suspicion of LMCA vasospasm. Intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) at the time of angiography may help to identify minimal atherosclerotic disease suggesting vasospasm. Alternatively, noninvasive testing, such as computed tomography (CT) angiography, may diagnose LM spasm in these patients prior to CABG surgery.

The implications and requirements of transcatheter aortic valve replacement in low-risk patients.

Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) is a transformative technology that has changed the management of patients with severe, symptomatic aortic stenosis. The use of TAVR in intermediate- to high-risk patients has been validated in several rigorously performed, randomized clinical trials. Recent studies using newer generation devices have demonstrated the noninferiority of TAVR as compared with surgical aortic valve replacement in low-risk patients, supporting the increased utilization and expansion of TAVR. The use of TAVR in low-risk patients has important implications and requires a multifaceted approach that includes a highly functional multidisciplinary heart team for careful patient selection; a need to understand and help mitigate certain key complications, such as stroke, paravalvular regurgitation, and conduction disturbances; careful data collection for continual outcome assessment and improvement; and the necessary expertize and procedural volume to maintain excellent outcomes and ensure optimal clinical care pathways.

Use of an oxygen-carrying blood substitute to improve intravascular optical coherence tomography imaging.

Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is a catheter-based imaging technology with powerful resolution capable of identifying vulnerable plaques and guiding coronary intervention. However, a significant limitation of intravascular OCT imaging is its attenuation by blood. We propose that the use of an oxygen-carrying blood substitute could potentially optimize OCT image quality. Surgical isolation of the descending thoracic aorta of six rabbits is performed, followed by intravascular OCT imaging of the abdominal aorta. Perfluorodecalin (PFD) is oxygenated using a bubble-through technique with 100% oxygen. OCT imaging is performed and compared using three different flushing modalities: PFD; saline; and blood. OCT imaging of the rabbit abdominal aorta is successful in all of the subjects. In each of the six studied subjects, flushing with PFD consistently provides dramatically better imaging of the vessel wall tissue structures. OCT image quality is highly dependent on the ability of the flushing modality to remove blood from the imaging field. From this proof-of-concept study, we demonstrate that endovascular flushing with an oxygen-carrying blood substitute (PFD) is optically superior to saline flushing for intravascular imaging.

Robotic Totally Endoscopic Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting: Systematic Review of Clinical Outcomes from the Past two Decades.

Robotic totally endoscopic coronary artery bypass grafting (TECAB) was introduced in 1998 and has over a period of two decades gradually emerged from single-vessel revascularization to multivessel bypass grafting. Dedicated centers have continuously evolved and further developed this minimally invasive method of coronary bypass surgery. A literature review was conducted to assess intra- and postoperative outcomes of TECAB. PubMed returned 19 comprehensive articles on TECAB. Investigation was focused on perioperative outcome parameters, i.e.: operative time, conversion to larger incision, revision for bleeding, atrial fibrillation, stroke, acute renal failure, and mortality. Outcome from the analysis of 2,397 reported cases showed an average operative time of 291 ± 57 minutes (range 112 to 1,050), conversion rate to larger incisions at 11.5%, and perioperative mortality at 0.8%. Pooled data demonstrated 4.2% operative revision rate due to postoperative hemorrhage, 1.0% stroke incidence, 1.6% acute renal failure, and 13.3% de novo atrial fibrillation. The mean length of hospital stay measured 5.8 ± 1.7 days. Conversion rates and operative times decreased over time. According to data in the literature, coronary bypass surgery carried out in completely endoscopic fashion utilizing robotic assistance can require relatively extensive operative times and conversion rates are somewhat higher than in other robotic cardiac surgery. However, major postoperative events lie in an acceptable range. TECAB remains the surgical revascularization method with the least tissue trauma and represents an opportunity for coronary artery bypass grafting via port access. Rates of major complications are at least similar to conventional surgical access procedures.

Intracardiac echocardiography for guidance of transcatheter aortic valve implantation under monitored sedation: a solution to a dilemma?

Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) has been established as a valuable alternative to surgical aortic valve replacement in patients deemed to have high or prohibitive perioperative risk. However, there are several technical constraints and procedural risks inherent to TAVI. These risks include annulus rupture, ventricular perforation, aortic dissection, coronary occlusion, and dislodgement or migration of the valve prosthesis to the aorta or the left ventricle (LV). Other complications may be related to inappropriate valve deployment and subsequent paravalvular leak. Most complications cannot be detected at an early stage without echocardiographic guidance. Although not addressed by current guidelines, some European centres have advocated a 'minimalist' approach with exclusively fluoroscopic and angiographic guidance. Transoesophageal echocardiography (TEE), including real-time three-dimensional (RT-3D) imaging, has been established as a standard approach for peri-interventional guidance of TAVI. However, TEE monitoring almost always necessitates general anaesthesia and endotracheal intubation. A potential alternative to TEE is intracardiac echocardiography (ICE) that may provide a solution to a common dilemma: the most important advantage of ICE being the compatibility with monitored anaesthesia care without endotracheal intubation. Other advantages of ICE include uninterrupted monitoring, no fluoroscopic interference, and precise Doppler-based assessment of pulmonary artery pressures. Limitations of ICE include the need for additional venous access, the learning curve associated with a new device, and potentially increased cost.

Long-term results after robotically assisted coronary bypass surgery.

BACKGROUND: Robotically-assisted coronary bypass grafting (CABG) was introduced in 1998 and dedicated centers have continuously applied and developed this minimally invasive method of coronary bypass surgery. While short-term results are relatively well published, data on long-term outcome are limited. In this literature review, we assessed the outcomes after robotic CABG following the first postoperative year. METHODS: We searched PubMed for articles containing the terms "robotic" or "robotically assisted" and "coronary bypass". A total of 11 papers contained long-term results. We specifically investigated survival, graft patency, freedom from angina and re-intervention, as well as freedom from major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events (MACCE). RESULTS: Five-year survival after robotic CABG was consistently consistently greater than 90% and graft patency between 3 and 5 years was reported to be above 90%. Fifteen percent to 26% of patients re-experienced angina at 3 to 5 years postoperatively. Long-term freedom from re-intervention reached the range and the 5-year freedom from MACCE rate was approximately 75%. CONCLUSIONS: According to data in the literature, long-term results after CABG carried out with the assistance of a surgical robot appear to be in line with results achieved after conventional CABG.

Facilitated patent haemostasis after transradial catheterisation to reduce radial artery occlusion.

AIMS: This study sought to evaluate the feasibility of a rapid deflation technique (RDT) after transradial catheterisation to achieve patent haemostasis and to assess whether this could reduce radial artery occlusion (RAO). Ensuring patent haemostasis is the most important factor in reducing RAO. The use of larger sheath sizes and antiplatelet and antithrombotic agents limits achieving patent haemostasis immediately after transradial intervention. METHODS AND RESULTS: A feasibility assessment was first performed in 105 patients to assess whether RDT could be performed safely and consistently achieve patent haemostasis after transradial catheterisation. Prospective data were then collected on 201 patients who underwent either rapid or standard deflation technique and had RAO assessment at 24 hours. Acute coronary syndrome was the indication for transradial catheterisation in 62.7% of patients. Baseline patent haemostasis increased from 40% to 95% after RDT. RAO at 24 hours was seen in two (2.0%) patients in the RDT group and 15 (14.9%) in the standard deflation group (OR 0.117; 95% CI: 0.026 to 0.526, p=0.005). Other independent predictors of RAO included body surface area (OR 0.022; 95% CI: 0.002 to 0.273, p=0.003) and male sex (OR 0.298; 95% CI: 0.108 to 0.824, p=0.020). No significant difference was found in safety outcomes: need to re-inflate compression band (2% versus 1.8%) or haematoma (0% versus 0.9%). CONCLUSIONS: Rapid deflation of the compression band after transradial catheterisation is a safe and effective method of achieving patent haemostasis that reduces RAO.

Novel combined miniature optical coherence tomography ultrasound probe for in vivo intravascular imaging.

We have developed a miniature integrated optical coherence tomography (OCT) ultrasound (US) probing system for intravascular imaging applications. In the OCT probe, the light coming out of a single mode fiber is focused by a gradient-index lens and then reflected by a right-angle prism from the side of the probe into the sample. It was combined with a 35 MHz PMN-PT side-viewing ultrasound transducer to obtain the ultrasound image as well. The OCT and ultrasound probes were integrated as a single probe to obtain OCT and ultrasound images simultaneously. The integrated probe has an outer diameter of 0.69 mm which, to our knowledge, is the smallest integrated OCT-US probe reported. Fast data acquisition and processing was implemented for real-time imaging. In vitro OCT and US images of human coronary artery with pathology, as well as in vivo images of normal rabbit abdominal aorta, were obtained using the integrated OCT-US probe to demonstrate its capability.

Measurements of laser light attenuation following cryogen spray cooling spurt termination.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Cryogen spray cooling (CSC) is used to minimize the risk of epidermal damage during laser dermatological surgery. However, while CSC can protect the epidermis from non-specific thermal damage, the cryogen film on the skin surface may pose a potential problem of laser light attenuation due to optical scattering. STUDY DESIGN/MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study is focused on measuring the light transmittance changes that occur following cryogen spurt termination. The wavelengths studied were chosen for their clinical relevance to treatment of hypervascular skin lesions (594 nm) and laser-assisted hair removal (785 nm). Following delivery of cryogen spurts to the surface of an epoxy skin phantom, continuous records of light transmittance for 594 and 785 nm were obtained using an integrating sphere-based light collection apparatus. RESULTS: Shortly after spurt termination, there was negligible light attenuation by the cryogen film at the two wavelengths studied. CONCLUSIONS: For the typical clinical use of a 30 milliseconds spurt duration and 30 milliseconds delay between spurt termination and delivery of the laser pulse, a minimum average transmittance value of approximately 97% was measured.