Valve-Sparing Aortic Root Replacement 3 Decades After Repair of Aortico-Left Ventricular Tunnel.

Aortico-left ventricular tunnel is a rare congenital anomaly requiring surgical repair early in childhood. After corrective surgery, such patients are at risk of developing aortic insufficiency and aortic root dilatation. Herein, we describe a valve-sparing aortic root replacement 3 decades after the repair of aortico-left ventricular tunnel.

Insights on Atrial Fibrillation in Congenital Heart Disease.

Patients with congenital heart disease (CHD) have been surviving late into adulthood, with atrial arrhythmias being the most common long-term complication. In recent reports, atrial fibrillation (AF) tended to be the most common form of arrhythmias among groups of patients with adult CHD (ACHD) older than 50 years of age. When compared with their adult counterparts without CHD, AF in patients with ACHD has been characterized by a higher incidence and prevalence, younger age of onset, and a greater risk of progression to persistent AF. Risk factors for the development of AF are not well known but include older age, left atrial dilation, systemic hypertension, and multiple cardiac surgeries. Data on management options such as optimal antiarrhythmic drug therapy, indications for anticoagulation, and efficacy and safety of catheter ablation are limited. There is a crucial need for further research exploring management, prevention, and monitoring strategies for the growing ACHD patient population with AF. This report will provide a contemporary review of the epidemiology, pathophysiology, and management options for AF in this complex patient population.

Biventricular apical thrombi demonstrated by contrast-enhanced cardiac MRI following anteroapical STEMI and unsuccessful reperfusion therapy.

Contrast-enhanced cardiac magnetic resonance imaging can define the territory and extent of myocardial infarction from patterns of late gadolinium enhancement. Following failure to reperfuse with thrombolytic therapy, a case of myocardial infarction is described in which ongoing symptoms and an electrocardiogram change led to a diagnostic dilemma. Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging confirmed an apical infarction, an aneurysm and acute pericarditis. In addition, late gadolinium enhancement unexpectedly revealed the presence of biventricular apical thrombi. The prevalence of cardiac thrombi and pulmonary emboli may be greater than generally appreciated.

Endovascular aortic coarctation stenting in adolescents and adults: angiographic and hemodynamic outcomes.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the procedural, clinical, angiographic, and hemodynamic outcomes, including ambulatory blood pressure monitoring at 1 year in adolescent and adult patients undergoing primary stenting for treatment of aortic coarctation. BACKGROUND: Stenting is widely used for treatment of aortic coarctation. Data regarding efficacy of this treatment for control of hypertension at 1 year is scant, with only one reported series of planned angiographic follow up. The impact of newer type stents for this procedure is also unknown. METHODS: Thirty-seven patients undergoing stenting for aortic coarctation, over a 3-year period in a tertiary centre were studied as part of an observational protocol. RESULTS: Peak gradient across the coarctation fell from 28.3 +/- 15.1 to 3.7 +/- 4.1 post procedure and was 11.9 +/- 8.9 mmHg (P < 0.05 compared to baseline) at 1 year. There was one major complication (2.7%), with no deaths. Small aneurysms were seen in three patients (13%) on follow up angiography at 1 year. Right arm systolic blood pressures fell from 155 +/- 19 to 132 +/- 22 (P < 0.05) at 6 weeks and was 132 +/- 16 mmHg (P < 0.05 compared to baseline) at 1 year. Ambulatory average systolic blood pressures fell from 142 +/- 14 to 133 +/- 15 at 6 weeks (P < 0.05) and to 125 +/- 12 mmHg (P < 0.05 compared to baseline) at 1 year. No significant differences were seen in procedural outcomes between patients receiving Palmaz and CPNumed stents. CONCLUSION: Primary stenting of aortic coarctation in adolescents and adults results in excellent clinical and angiographic outcomes and sustained hemodynamic benefits at 1 year as evidenced by significant reduction in systolic blood pressure and gradients. Close follow up is required to monitor aneurysm formation.