Extrinsic compression of left main coronary artery due to pulmonary artery aneurysm and pulmonary hypertension.

Idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension is a serious condition that carries a poor prognosis. While exertional dyspnea is the most common symptom, angina like chest pain, most often due to right ventricle ischemia, may occur at advanced stages. We present a patient with pulmonary hypertension symptomatic for dyspnea and angina in whom computed coronary tomography angiography showed compression of the left main coronary artery by a large pulmonary artery aneurysm. Percutaneous coronary intervention and stenting was performed resulting in significant clinical improvement. This case emphasizes the role of different cardiovascular imaging modalities for the diagnosis of rare conditions.

Evaluación de la anatomía angiográfica de las arterias hepáticas y sus variantes / Evaluation of the angiographic anatomy of the hepatic arteries and its variants

Resumen Objetivo: Evaluar y describir la prevalencia de variantes anatómicas arteriales hepáticas observadas en una serie multicéntrica de pacientes con patologías hepatobiliares. Método: Estudio retrospectivo de anatomía arterial según la clasificación de Michels de angiografías digitales y tomografías computadas helicoidales abdominales realizadas entre febrero de 2009 y diciembre de 2020 en tres hospitales del Área Metropolitana de Buenos Aires. Resultados: Se incluyeron 275 pacientes en el estudio. Edad mediana 58,5 años. Sexo masculino 73,1%. Variante anatómica tipo 1 (normal) de la arteria hepática en 192 casos (69.8%); tipo 2 en 18 casos (6.5%); tipo 3 en 19 casos (6.9%); tipo 4 en 7 casos (2.5%); tipo 5 en 4 casos (1.5%); tipo 6 en 3 casos (1.1%); tipo 7 en 2 casos (0.7%); tipo 8 en 7 casos (2.5%); tipo 9 en 17 casos (6.2%) y otros tipos fuera de la clasificación de Michels en 6 casos (2.2%). También hallamos la presentación de 3 casos (1.1%) con arco de Bühler. Conclusiones: En nuestra serie se observaron variantes anatómicas no clásicas de la arteria hepática aproximadamente en un tercio de los casos. El conocimiento de las variantes anatómicas fue esencial para los procedimientos radiológicos y quirúrgicos en el tratamiento de tumores hepáticos, determinando la técnica de abordaje de las arterias involucradas.

Abstract Objective: To evaluate and describe the prevalence of hepatic artery anatomical variants observed in a multicenter series of patients with hepatobiliary pathologies. Method: Retrospective study of arterial anatomy according to Michels classification of digital angiographies and abdominal helical computed tomography performed between February 2009 and December 2020 in three hospitals of the Buenos Aires Metropolitan Area. Results: 275 patients were included in the study. Median age 58.5 years. Male sex 73.1%. Type 1 (normal) variant of hepatic artery anatomy in 192 cases (69.8%); type 2 in 18 cases (6.5%); type 3 in 19 cases (6.9%); type 4 in 7 cases (2.5%); type 5 in 4 cases (1.5%); type 6 in 3 cases (1.1%); type 7 in 2 cases (0.7%); type 8 in 7 cases (2.5%); type 9 in 17 cases (6.2%), and other types out Michels classification in 6 cases (2.2%). We also found 3 cases (1.1%) with Bühler's arch. Conclusions: In our series, non-classical anatomical variants of the hepatic artery were observed in approximately one third of cases. Knowledge of anatomical variants was essential for radiological and surgical procedures in the treatment of liver tumors, determining the approach technique of the arteries involved.

Estimación no invasiva de la reserva fraccional de flujo coronario (vFFR): Concepto y utilidad de una nueva herramienta para la detección de isquemia miocárdica en el arsenal de la cardiología intervencionista / Non-invasive estimation of the coronary flow fractional reserve (VFFR): concept and utility of a new tool for the detection of myocardial ischemia in the arsenal of interventional cardiology

[RESUMEN]: La reserva fraccional de flujo coronario o FFR es en la actualidad el estándar de oro para evaluar la gravedad de las estenosis coronarias. A pesar de evidencias indiscutibles la adopción en la práctica diaria ha sido muy limitada debido a diferentes motivos. El desarrollo de nuevas tecnologías como el FFR derivado del angiograma coronario o vFFR, un nuevo método basado en imágenes para calcular el FFR sin una cuerda de presión coronaria o un agente hiperémico, ayudaría a incrementar el uso de la fisiología coronaria en las salas de homodinamia. Aquí presentamos 4 casos de la primera experiencia con vFFR realizada en el Hospital de Alta Complejidad El Cruce - SAMIC - Dr. Néstor C. Kirchner.

[ABSTRACT]: Fractional flow reserve or FFR is currently the gold standard for assessing the severity of coronary stenosis. Despite indisputable evidence, adoption in daily practice has been very limited due to different reasons. The development of new technologies such as the FFR derived from coronary angiogram or vFFR, a new image-based method to calculate the FFR without a coronary pressure guidewire or a hyperemic agent, would help increase the use of coronary physiology in hemodynamic rooms. We present 4 cases from the first experience with vFFR carried out at the Hospital de Alta Complejidad El Cruce - SAMIC - Dr. Néstor C. Kirchner.

Mitral valve calcium assessment: An independent predictor of balloon valvuloplasty results.

OBJECTIVE: Percutaneous mitral valvuloplasty (PMV) is an effective treatment for patients with mitral valve stenosis. Echocardiographic score (ES) is a useful predictor of outcomes. However, mitral valve calcification (MVC) has been shown to predict immediate results even in patients with otherwise low ES. We sought to evaluate the usefulness of MVC assessment as a predictor of immediate and long-term outcomes after PMV. METHODS: PMV was performed in 168 consecutive patients. Clinical and echocardiographic variables were analyzed. Patients were classified into 2 groups: group 1: minimal MVC and group 2: moderate to severe MVC. Primary success was defined as post-PMV mitral valve area (MVA) ≥ 1.5 cm2 in the absence of major complications. Restenosis (RE) was defined as a decrease in MVA >50% of initial gain or a final MVA <1.5 cm2. RESULTS: Mean age was 46.5 ± 11 years, and 86.9% (146) were women. Forty-two patients (25%) had mild MVC (group 1), and 75% of the patients had moderate to severe MVC (group 2). Procedural success was achieved in 95.2% and 76.2% for groups 1 and 2, respectively, p = 0.01. MVA after PMV was 1.82 cm2 (IQR 25-75 = 1.60-2.00) in group 1 and 1.67 cm2 (IQR 25-75 = 1.44-1.97) in group 2, p = 0.02. After 48 months, 28.2% of patients presented RE. Multivariate analysis identified the presence of MVC as an independent predictor of poor immediate results (HR = 0.12, 95% IC 0.03-0.91) and RE (HR = 1.94, 95% CI = 1.02-5.21). CONCLUSION: Our study shows that the presence of MVC may predict immediate and long-term outcomes after PMV.

Safety and efficacy of intracoronary sodium nitroprusside for the assessment of coronary fractional flow reserve.

BACKGROUND: Coronary fractional flow reserve (FFR) determination is a valuable tool for the assessment of stenosis significance in intermediate coronary obstructions. Maximal hyperemia is mandatory for this determination. Although intravenous (IV) Adenosine is the standard agent used, its use carries an elevated incidence of side effects. Intracoronary sodium nitroprusside (IC NTP) is a very well-known coronary vasodilator, but it is not routinely used for FFR determinations. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of the present study was to compare FFR determinations and side effect profile of IC NTP with IV Adenosine. METHODS: We prospectively assessed FFR determinations in a total of 20 intermediate coronary artery stenotic lesions in 18 consecutive patients with the administration of IV Adenosine (140 µg/kg/min) and IC NTP (100 µg). The appearance of side effects was registered. RESULTS: The mean age was 55.5 ±â€¯7.5 years. Fifteen (83%) of the patients were male. Mean FFR values with IC NTP were similar to those obtained with IV Adenosine (0.82 ±â€¯0.07 vs 0.82 ±â€¯0.06, respectively, r = 0.775, p < 0.0001). Intravenous Adenosine induced side effects in 45% of patients (shortness of breath 30%, flushing 5%, headache 5%, angina pectoris 5%, and transient conduction disturbances 10%). No side effects were reported with IC NTP. CONCLUSIONS: IC NTP at a dose of 100 µg is as effective as IV Adenosine for FFR assessment. Besides, it is better tolerated and should be consider as a vasodilator agent in the assessment of FFR.

[Percutaneous exclusion of traumatic abdominal aortic pseudoaneurysm from a brachial approach]. / Exclusión percutánea de seudoaneurisma aórtico abdominal traumático desde acceso braquial.

Abdominal aortic pseudoaneurysm (AAP) is a rare lesion, although traumatic aortic injury is described as one of the main causes; both the rupture as the surgical treatment of the defect has high morbidity and mortality. Therefore, endovascular treatment either by chemical embolization or exclusion of defect with devices has emerged as an alternative treatment. However, there are risks such as occlusion of visceral vessels near the neck of the defect, embolization material or aortic rupture. Therefore, the choice of material and method of approach should be planned carefully in each case. We report a patient who ten years after abdominal wound firearm was diagnosed with AAP 17 x 13 cm, with short neck originated close to the ostium of the celiac trunk at an acute angle with the aortic axis. We perform the exclusion of the defect with a device designed for closing atrial septal defect from the left brachial access due to the angulation of the neck defect. There were no complications. At 72 hours was granted discharge. A month later, CT scan control showed the false aneurysm of equal size and no residual flow. The monitoring to date is five months and the patient remained asymptomatic.

Transluminal removal of an embolized venous catheter fragment with coronary angioplasty tools.

Central venous catheterization has become an important technique for the diagnosis and management of patients requiring intensive medical care. The use of devices to perform this procedure has been accompanied by a corresponding increase in complications. The embolization of foreign bodies to the venous system is not a rare event. This is a report on the transluminal effective and relatively easy removal of a sheath fragment from the right ventricle using standard angioplasty tools.