Association of left ventricular filling parameters assessed by pulsed wave Doppler and color M-mode Doppler echocardiography with left ventricular pathology, pulmonary congestion, and left ventricular end-diastolic pressure.

Among 90 consecutive patients with various degrees of left ventricular (LV) dysfunction (normal patients, LV hypertrophy, LV ejection fraction <50%, and <30%), the mitral valve pulse-wave E/A ratio showed a characteristic U-shaped curve with increasing severity of LV dysfunction. In contrast, there was a significant progressive decrease in flow propagation velocity of the E-wave (Vp) and a significant increase in E/Vp values with increasing severity of LV dysfunction. The E/Vp ratio was the best predictor of pulmonary congestion, and in a subgroup of patients who underwent cardiac catheterization, it was the only significant predictor of LV end-diastolic pressure.

Clopidogrel-induced systemic inflammatory response syndrome.

Clopidogrel bisulfate, a widely used inhibitor of platelet aggregation, is considered at least as safe as aspirin. We describe a patient who developed a systemic inflammatory response syndrome consisting of high fever, tachycardia, cellulitis-like rash, impaired liver function, and mild leukopenia after receiving clopidogrel before coronary angiography and stent implantation. The reaction resolved promptly after withdrawal of the drug and recurred shortly after a rechallenge dose was administered, thus making the diagnosis of a clopidogrel-induced reaction highly probable. Recognition of this clopidogrel-induced syndrome is extremely important, both for rapid discontinuation of the offending drug and for avoidance of unnecessary drug therapy or invasive procedures.

Left main coronary artery atresia: extremely rare coronary anomaly in an asymptomatic adult and an adolescent soccer player.

Left main coronary artery atresia is a very rare coronary anomaly with only 33 cases reported in the literature, of whom only 1 patient is asymptomatic. Pediatric patients are usually very symptomatic early in life (dyspnea, syncope, failure to thrive, ventricular tachycardia, and sudden death), whereas adult patients begin showing symptoms (angina or sudden death) only at an advanced age. Given the high risk related to the presence of left main coronary artery atresia, and in view of the good results obtained by coronary artery bypass surgery, coronary artery revascularization should always be considered as the possible treatment of choice for establishing adequate myocardial blood flow.

Subclavian coronary steal syndrome: an obligatory common fate between subclavian artery, internal mammary graft and coronary circulation.

The long-term patency of the left internal mammary artery (IMA) has made it the preferred conduit for myocardial revascularization. The proximal segment of the subclavian artery becomes functionally connected to the coronary circulation as a result of IMA implantation during coronary artery bypass surgery. The subclavian coronary steal syndrome results from stenosis in the left subclavian artery proximal to the IMA, compromising blood flow to the myocardium. We describe 7 patients, aged 55-75 years, 1.7-10.5 years after coronary bypass who presented with recurrent angina due to subclavian artery stenosis. The IMA graft was found open in each patient. A true steal mechanism was not demonstrated, casting doubt on the syndrome's traditional name. Angioplasty and stenting of the subclavian artery resulted in the immediate disappearance of angina and continuous benefit at a follow-up of 3-32 months. The subclavian coronary steal syndrome, although rare, is a severe condition readily treated by angioplasty and stenting.