Reducción de eventos a largo plazo tras el cierre de la orejuela izquierda. Resultados del Registro Ibérico II / Long-term event reduction after left atrial appendage closure. Results of the Iberian Registry II

Introducción y objetivos: Muchos pacientes con fibrilación auricular no valvular tienen contraindicados los anticoagulantes orales. El objetivo es estimar la incidencia de eventos tromboembólicos y hemorrágicos en pacientes con fibrilación auricular no valvular y cierre de la orejuela izquierda con seguimiento a largo plazo, y determinar los factores asociados con mayor mortalidad a largo plazo. Métodos: Cohorte prospectiva de pacientes reclutados desde 2009 a 2015. Se compararon los eventos tromboembólicos y hemorrágicos con los esperados según las escalas CHA2DS2-VASc y HAS-BLED. Se realizó un análisis multivariable para determinar las variables asociadas con la mortalidad. Resultados: Se reclutó a 598 pacientes (1.093 pacientes-año) con contraindicación de anticoagulantes (mediana de edad, 75,4 años). La tasa de éxito del cierre de la orejuela izquierda fue del 95,8%; 30 pacientes (5%) presentaron complicaciones. Las tasas de eventos (cada 100 pacientes-año) durante el seguimiento (media, 22,9 meses; mediana, 16,1 meses) fueron: muerte, 7,0%; ictus isquémico, 1,6% (frente al 8,5% esperado según CHA2DS2-VASc; p < 0,001); hemorragia intracraneal, 0,8%; hemorragia gastrointestinal, 3,2%, y hemorragia grave, 3,9% (frente al 6,3% esperado por HAS-BLED; p = 0,002). Estos resultados incluso mejoraron en el subgrupo de 176 pacientes con seguimiento > 24 meses (media, 46,6 meses; 683 pacientes-año) para las hemorragias graves, el 2,6% (frente al 6,3% esperado por HAS-BLED; p < 0,033). La edad (HR = 1,1), las hemorragias intracraneales (HR = 6,8) y el ictus (HR = 2,7) se asociaron con mayor mortalidad. Conclusiones: El cierre de la orejuela izquierda redujo significativamente las incidencias de ictus y de eventos hemorrágicos graves y el beneficio se mantuvo. La edad, las hemorragias intracraneales y el ictus se asociaron con mayor mortalidad

Introduction and objectives: Many patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation are still left without protection due to a contraindication for anticoagulants. This study aimed to establish the occurrence of stroke and major bleeding events in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation and left atrial appendage closure with long-term follow-up and to explore the factors associated with higher long-term mortality. Methods: Analysis of a multicenter single cohort prospectively recruited from 2009 to 2015. Thromboembolic and bleeding events were compared with those expected from CHA2DS2-VASc and HAS-BLED scores. Multivariate analysis examined variables associated with mortality during follow-up. Results: A total of 598 patients (1093 patient-years) with a contraindication for anticoagulants were recruited (median 75.4 years). The success rate of left atrial appendage closure device implantation was 95.8%. Thirty patients (5%) experienced periprocedural complications. The rate of events (per 100 patient-years) during follow-up (mean 22.9 months; median 16.1 months) was as follows: death 7.0%; ischemic stroke 1.6% (vs 8.5% expected according to CHA2DS2-VASc; P < .001); intracranial hemorrhage 0.8%; gastrointestinal bleeding 3.2%; severe bleeding 3.9% (vs 6.3% expected by HAS-BLED, P = .002). These results were improved in the subgroup of 176 patients with follow-up > 24 months (mean follow-up 46.6 months, 683 patient-years) for severe bleeding 2.6% (vs 6.3% expected by HAS-BLED, P < .033). The factors significantly associated with higher mortality were age (HR, 1.1), intracranial hemorrhage (HR, 6.8), and stroke during follow-up (HR, 2.7). Conclusions: Left atrial appendage closure significantly reduced the incidence of stroke and bleeding events and the benefit was maintained. Intracranial hemorrhage, age and stroke were associated with higher mortality

Long-term Event Reduction After Left Atrial Appendage Closure. Results of the Iberian Registry II.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Many patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation are still left without protection due to a contraindication for anticoagulants. This study aimed to establish the occurrence of stroke and major bleeding events in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation and left atrial appendage closure with long-term follow-up and to explore the factors associated with higher long-term mortality. METHODS: Analysis of a multicenter single cohort prospectively recruited from 2009 to 2015. Thromboembolic and bleeding events were compared with those expected from CHA2DS2-VASc and HAS-BLED scores. Multivariate analysis examined variables associated with mortality during follow-up. RESULTS: A total of 598 patients (1093 patient-years) with a contraindication for anticoagulants were recruited (median 75.4 years). The success rate of left atrial appendage closure device implantation was 95.8%. Thirty patients (5%) experienced periprocedural complications. The rate of events (per 100 patient-years) during follow-up (mean 22.9 months; median 16.1 months) was as follows: death 7.0%; ischemic stroke 1.6% (vs 8.5% expected according to CHA2DS2-VASc; P < .001); intracranial hemorrhage 0.8%; gastrointestinal bleeding 3.2%; severe bleeding 3.9% (vs 6.3% expected by HAS-BLED, P = .002). These results were improved in the subgroup of 176 patients with follow-up > 24 months (mean follow-up 46.6 months, 683 patient-years) for severe bleeding 2.6% (vs 6.3% expected by HAS-BLED, P < .033). The factors significantly associated with higher mortality were age (HR, 1.1), intracranial hemorrhage (HR, 6.8), and stroke during follow-up (HR, 2.7). CONCLUSIONS: Left atrial appendage closure significantly reduced the incidence of stroke and bleeding events and the benefit was maintained. Intracranial hemorrhage, age and stroke were associated with higher mortality.

TIOMAX: A Spanish Multicenter Registry of the real-world use of the TItanium OptiMAX® biostent: TIOMAX: Registro Español Multicéntrico Del Biostent De Titanio OptiMAX® En La Vida Real.

OBJECTIVES: To compare the safety and efficacy of the new cobalt-chromium bioactive stent Titan Optimax® (Hexacath, France) with its predecessor, Titan-2® . BACKGROUND: The TIOMAX registry includes 784 patients who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention with these stents in 21 Spanish hospitals. METHODS: Analysis of all patients in the registry without exclusion criteria, candidates for revascularization (March-2013/July-2014). Initially 273 patients received Titan-2® , and the next 511 received the Optimax® after its launch. RESULTS: Mean age was 65.8 ± 13.0 (78.1% men); 49.2% were STEACS patients (n = 322), 29.8% NSTEACS, and 27.3% had stable angina or silent ischemia. Most STEACS patients (76.4% of n = 322) were treated <24 hr after developing symptoms. All-cause death (D), cardiac death (CD), acute myocardial infarction (AMI), and stent thrombosis (ST) at 1 month were 1.1, 0.8, 0.1, and 0.5%, respectively, with no significant differences between groups. At 1 year, the death rate was 5.5% for Titan-2 vs. 4.1% for Optimax® , CD was 1.8% for both groups, ST 1.1 vs. 0.6%, new AMI 3.3 vs. 2.5% and target lesion revascularization (TLR) 3.7 vs. 2.9%. The primary endpoint of the composite event (CE) of D/AMI/TLR/ST occurred in 10.3% vs. 7.6% (p = 0.211). Patients with STEACS (N = 322: Titan-2/Optimax: 103/209) had better outcomes for secondary events, device-oriented failure CD/AMI/TLR (7.8% vs. 5.0%; p = 0.330), and non-fatal CE of AMI/ST/TLR (7.8% vs. 2.7%, p = 0.039). CONCLUSIONS: The Titan Optimax retains the efficacy and safety of Titan 2. It appears to perform better in the subgroup of STEACS patients, by reducing the non-fatal CE of AMI/ST/TLR.

Estudio aleatorizado para comparar el stentbioactivo de titanio con el stent de everolimus en pacientes diabéticos (TITANIC XV), resultados a 1 año / A Randomized Study to Compare Bioactive Titanium Stents and Everolimus-eluting Stents in Diabetic Patients (TITANIC XV): 1-year Results

Introducción y objetivos Hasta un 25% de los pacientes sometidos a intervencionismo coronario percutáneo presentan alguna limitación para la utilización de los stents farmacoactivos. Nuestro objetivo es evaluar si el stent bioactivo de titanio y óxido nítrico podía ser una buena alternativa al stent de everolimus para pacientes diabéticos.MétodosSe aleatorizó a 173 pacientes diabéticos con lesiones de riesgo de reestenosis intermedio (criterios de exclusión: diámetro < 2,5 mm o longitud > 28 mm en vasos < 3 mm, oclusión crónica): 83 pacientes en el grupo con titanio y 90 en el grupo con everolimus.ResultadosLas variables basales estaban bien equilibradas, el 28,3% eran insulinodependientes. Al año, las incidencias de eventos adversos cardiacos mayores (muerte, infarto de miocardio no fatal, ictus o nueva revascularización del vaso tratado) eran significativamente más frecuente en el grupo con titanio que en el grupo con everolimus (total, el 14,5 frente al 4,4%; p = 0,02; subgrupo no insulinodependiente, el 9,7 frente al 3,2%; p = 0,14; insulinodependiente, el 28,6 frente al 7,1%; p = 0,04) y de muerte, infarto de miocardio no fatal, ictus o cualquier revascularización, del 16,9% en el grupo con titanio y el 7,8% en el grupo con everolimus (p = 0,06). La revascularización de la lesión diana se produjo en el 8,4 frente al 3,3% (p = 0,15), y la del vaso tratado, el 13,3 frente al 3,3% (p = 0,01). El seguimiento angiográfico a 9 meses mostró una pérdida luminal tardía significativamente menor en el grupo con everolimus (en el segmento, 0,52 ± 0,58 frente a -0,05 ± 0,32 mm; en el stent, 0,76 ± 0,54 frente a 0,13 ± 0,31 mm; p < 0,0001). ConclusionesEl stent de everolimus fue superior al titanio en pacientes diabéticos incluso con lesiones de riesgo de eventos clínicos y angiográficos intermedio (AU)

Introduction and objectives Up to 25% of patients who undergo a percutaneous coronary intervention show some limitation in the use of drug-eluting stents. The aim of this study was to evaluate if titanium-nitride-oxide-coated stents could be a good alternative to everolimus-eluting stents in diabetic patients.MethodsA total of 173 diabetic patients with lesions at moderate risk of restenosis (exclusion criteria: diameter < 2.5 mm or length > 28 mm in vessels < 3 mm, chronic occlusion) were randomized to a titanium group (83 patients) or an everolimus group (90 patients).ResultsBaseline characteristics were well balanced; 28.3% of patients were insulin dependent. At 1 year, the incidence of major adverse cardiac events (death, nonfatal myocardial infarction, stroke, or repeat target vessel revascularization) was significantly higher in the titanium group than in the everolimus group (total, 14.5% vs 4.4%; P = .02; noninsulin-dependent subgroup, 9.7% vs 3.2%; P = .14; insulin-dependent subgroup, 28.6% vs 7.1%; P = .04). The incidence of death, nonfatal myocardial infarction, stroke, or any revascularization was 16.9% in the titanium group and 7.8% in the everolimus group (P = .06). Target lesion and vessel revascularizations occurred in 8.4% compared with 3.3% (P = .15) and in 13.3% compared with 3.3% (P = .01) in the titanium and everolimus groups, respectively. Angiographic follow-up at 9 months showed significantly less late lumen loss in the everolimus group (in-segment, 0.52 [standard deviation, 0.58) mm vs -0.05 [0.32] mm; in-stent, 0.76 [0.54] mm vs 0.13 [0.31] mm; P < .0001).ConclusionsThe everolimus-eluting stent is superior to the titanium stent for clinical and angiographic end points in diabetic patients with lesions at moderate risk of restenosis (AU)

A randomized study to compare bioactive titanium stents and everolimus-eluting stents in diabetic patients (TITANIC XV): 1-year results.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Up to 25% of patients who undergo a percutaneous coronary intervention show some limitation in the use of drug-eluting stents. The aim of this study was to evaluate if titanium-nitride-oxide-coated stents could be a good alternative to everolimus-eluting stents in diabetic patients. METHODS: A total of 173 diabetic patients with lesions at moderate risk of restenosis (exclusion criteria: diameter < 2.5 mm or length > 28 mm in vessels < 3mm, chronic occlusion) were randomized to a titanium group (83 patients) or an everolimus group (90 patients). RESULTS: Baseline characteristics were well balanced; 28.3% of patients were insulin dependent. At 1 year, the incidence of major adverse cardiac events (death, nonfatal myocardial infarction, stroke, or repeat target vessel revascularization) was significantly higher in the titanium group than in the everolimus group (total, 14.5% vs 4.4%; P = .02; noninsulin-dependent subgroup, 9.7% vs 3.2%; P = .14; insulin-dependent subgroup, 28.6% vs 7.1%; P = .04). The incidence of death, nonfatal myocardial infarction, stroke, or any revascularization was 16.9% in the titanium group and 7.8% in the everolimus group (P = .06). Target lesion and vessel revascularizations occurred in 8.4% compared with 3.3% (P = .15) and in 13.3% compared with 3.3% (P = .01) in the titanium and everolimus groups, respectively. Angiographic follow-up at 9 months showed significantly less late lumen loss in the everolimus group (in-segment, 0.52 [standard deviation, 0.58) mm vs -0.05 [0.32] mm; in-stent, 0.76 [0.54] mm vs 0.13 [0.31] mm; P < .0001). CONCLUSIONS: The everolimus-eluting stent is superior to the titanium stent for clinical and angiographic end points in diabetic patients with lesions at moderate risk of restenosis.

Anatomical classification of left atrial appendages in specimens applicable to CT imaging techniques for implantation of amplatzer cardiac plug.

BACKGROUND: Certain anatomical characteristics of the left atrial appendage (LAA) are associated with complexity in the implantation of occluder devices. OBJECTIVE: The aim was to define characteristics measurable by three-dimensional imaging that would predict complexities both in the implantation procedure and the selection of the appropriate device size. METHODS: An anatomical study was performed of 50 postmortem hearts, of which 15 had a history of atrial fibrillation, and of 30 consecutive patients undergoing LAA occlusion with the Amplatzer cardiac plug (ACP). The specimens were classified according to variables that can be visualized using computerized tomography (CT). The CT scans of 30 consecutive patients were classified according to the level of the LAA ostium, the left lateral ridge (LLR), the LAA limbus and distance from LAA to the mitral annulus before undergoing LAA occlusion, and the results were correlated. RESULTS: Three types of LAA orifice were defined: type I, with a usually higher, anterior LAA ostium, a short, flattened and wide LLR and almost nonexistent limbus; type II, presenting a long, pointed and narrow LLR, and a longer, more defined limbus; type III, with a lower LAA ostium, close to the left atrium floor and the mitral annulus, a marked separation from the left pulmonary vein orifices and a limbus of intermediate length. CONCLUSION: LAA with lower ostia are more difficult to occlude. Types II and III have very prominent LLRs with longer limbi, which may increase the difficulty of inserting the guide and making measurements for selection of the right ACP size.

Resultados inmediatos y a más de un año en 35 pacientes consecutivos a los que se realiza cierre de orejuela izquierda con el dispositivo Amplatzer Cardiac Plug / Immediate and one-year results in 35 consecutive patients after closure of left atrial appendage with the amplatzer cardiac plug

Introducción y objetivos. El cierre del apéndice auricular izquierdo puede ser una opción terapéutica atractiva para pacientes con fibrilación auricular no valvular y contraindicación para tomar anticoagulantes orales, siempre que se obtengan buenos resultados durante la implantación y en el seguimiento. Métodos. Se analizó a 35 pacientes consecutivos y no elegibles para los estudios aleatorizados con anticoagulantes orales a los que se implantó el dispositivo oclusor Amplatzer. Tras los primeros 5 casos, se incorporó una técnica de imagen 3D. Se analizaron los resultados de la implantación y de seguimiento durante 1 año. Resultados. La media de edad era 74,65 ± 7,61 años, con un CHADS2 de 2,41 ± 1,53 y un CHA2DS2-VASc de 3,17 ± 1,60. No se pudo implantar el dispositivo en 1 caso y en 5 fue necesario cambiar la medida seleccionada. No hubo ninguna complicación cardiaca durante la implantación ni durante la estancia hospitalaria. Hubo una complicación vascular (fístula arteriovenosa). Se realizó seguimiento con ecocardiografía transesofágica a las 24 h y tras 1, 3, 6 y 12 meses; se documentaron 5 trombos, que se resolvieron con heparina. En el seguimiento de 21,14 ± 10,09 meses, hubo 3 muertes de pacientes mayores de 80 años, ninguna de ellas cardiológica, y un accidente isquémico transitorio sin secuelas. Conclusiones. El cierre del apéndice auricular izquierdo por un operador con cierta experiencia puede ser una opción terapéutica con pocas complicaciones y con resultados a más de 1 año eficaces en la reducción de complicaciones tromboembólicas y hemorrágicas, incluso en poblaciones de muy alto riesgo (AU)

Introduction and objectives. Left atrial appendage closure can be an attractive option for patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation and a contraindication to oral anticoagulants, provided that satisfactory results can be achieved during implantation and follow-up. Methods. Thirty-five consecutive patients, not eligible for randomized trials with oral anticoagulants, had an Amplatzer occlusion device implanted under general anesthesia. After the first 5 patients, 3-dimensional imaging was incorporated. The results of the implantation and the follow-up were analyzed over a 1-year period. Results. The mean age was 74.65 (7.61) years, with a CHADS2 score of 2.41 (1.53) and a CHA2DS2-VASc score of 3.17 (1.60). Implantation failed in 1 patient and 5 needed a change in the selected plug size. There were no cardiac complications during the implantation or hospital stay. There was 1 vascular complication (arteriovenous fistula). Transesophageal echocardiography monitoring was performed at 24h, 1, 3, 6, and 12 months and we found 5 thrombi which were resolved with heparin. In the follow-up period of 21.14 (10.09) months, 3 patients aged>80 years died, none of them due to heart problems, and one transient ischemic stroke without further consequences. Conclusions. Left atrial appendage closure by an experienced operator can be a treatment option with few complications and with efficient results at>1 year in reducing thromboembolic and hemorrhagic complications, even in very high-risk groups (AU)

Immediate and one-year results in 35 consecutive patients after closure of left atrial appendage with the Amplatzer cardiac plug.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Left atrial appendage closure can be an attractive option for patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation and a contraindication to oral anticoagulants, provided that satisfactory results can be achieved during implantation and follow-up. METHODS: Thirty-five consecutive patients, not eligible for randomized trials with oral anticoagulants, had an Amplatzer occlusion device implanted under general anesthesia. After the first 5 patients, 3-dimensional imaging was incorporated. The results of the implantation and the follow-up were analyzed over a 1-year period. RESULTS: The mean age was 74.65 (7.61) years, with a CHADS2 score of 2.41 (1.53) and a CHA2DS2-VASc score of 3.17 (1.60). Implantation failed in 1 patient and 5 needed a change in the selected plug size. There were no cardiac complications during the implantation or hospital stay. There was 1 vascular complication (arteriovenous fistula). Transesophageal echocardiography monitoring was performed at 24h, 1, 3, 6, and 12 months and we found 5 thrombi which were resolved with heparin. In the follow-up period of 21.14 (10.09) months, 3 patients aged>80 years died, none of them due to heart problems, and one transient ischemic stroke without further consequences. CONCLUSIONS: Left atrial appendage closure by an experienced operator can be a treatment option with few complications and with efficient results at>1 year in reducing thromboembolic and hemorrhagic complications, even in very high-risk groups.

Determinación del índice tobillo-brazo en pacientes con dolor torácico agudo de posible origen coronario / Ankle-brachial index in patients with chest pain and suspected acute coronary syndrome

Fundamento y objetivo: El dolor torácico agudo (DTA) es un síntoma inespecífico que puede ser expresión de cardiopatía isquémica (CI). La arteriosclerosis frecuentemente está presente en más de un territorio vascular. El índice tobillo-brazo (ITB) es una herramienta útil en el diagnóstico de enfermedad arterial periférica (EAP). Nuestro objetivo fue evaluar la utilidad del ITB en pacientes con DTA en los que se sospecha CI. Pacientes y método: Estudio transversal de 94 pacientes consecutivos, con una edad media (DE) de 57,4 (12,2) años, ingresados por DTA con sospecha de CI, en los que se determinó el ITB y se investigó la presencia de CI.Resultados: La CI estuvo presente en 22 pacientes (23,4%) y estuvo ausente en 72 pacientes (76,6%). La EAP asintomática (ITB≤0,9) estuvo presente en 6 pacientes (27,2%) en el grupo con CI y en 7 pacientes (9,7%) en el grupo sin CI. Encontramos diferencias significativas en el ITB según la presencia o no de CI (0,9 [0,23] frente a 1,17 [0,15]; p<0,001). Evaluamos el valor diagnóstico del ITB en la detección de CI: el área bajo la curva ROC (receiver operating characteristic) fue de 0,8 (intervalo de confianza del 95%: 0,70–0,87); el punto de corte óptimo fue de 0,8 (sensibilidad del 22,7% y especificidad del 98,6%). En el análisis multivariante, el ITB fue el mejor predictor independiente de CI (p<0,0001). Conclusiones: El ITB es un método sencillo, barato y eficiente, que complementa los métodos diagnósticos actuales en el reconocimiento del DTA de origen coronario (AU)

Background and objective: Acute chest pain (ACP) is a non-specific symptom that may be the expression of coronary artery disease (CAD). Atherosclerosis is usually present in more than one vascular territory. Ankle-brachial index (ABI) is a useful tool for the diagnosis of peripheral arterial disease (PAD). Our aim was to evaluate the value of ABI in patients with ACP when CAD is suspected. Patients and methods: We performed a cross-sectional study of 94 patients, mean age: 57.4 (12.2), admitted consecutively due to ACP with suspicion of CAD. ABI and presence of CAD were determined. Results: CAD was present in 22 patients (23.4%) and absent in 72 (76.6%). Asymptomatic PAD (ABI≤0.9) was present in 6 patients (27.2%) of CAD group and in 7 patients (9.7%) of the non-CAD group. Significant difference was found in ABI based on the presence or not of CAD [0.95 (0.23) vs 1.17 (0.15), p<0.001]. The diagnostic value of ABI for CAD detection was evaluated: area under the ROC curve was 0.8 (IC 95%: 0.70–0.87) and optimal cut-off point was 0.8 (sensitivity=22.7% and specificity=98.6%). In the multivariate analysis, ABI was the best independent predictor of CAD (p<0.001).Conclusion: ABI is a simple, cheap and efficient method, which complements other conventional diagnostic methods in the recognition of patients with ACP due to CAD (AU)

[Ankle-brachial index in patients with chest pain and suspected acute coronary syndrome]. / Determinación del índice tobillo-brazo en pacientes con dolor torácico agudo de posible origen coronario.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Acute chest pain (ACP) is a non-specific symptom that may be the expression of coronary artery disease (CAD). Atherosclerosis is usually present in more than one vascular territory. Ankle-brachial index (ABI) is a useful tool for the diagnosis of peripheral arterial disease (PAD). Our aim was to evaluate the value of ABI in patients with ACP when CAD is suspected. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We performed a cross-sectional study of 94 patients, mean age: 57.4 (12.2), admitted consecutively due to ACP with suspicion of CAD. ABI and presence of CAD were determined. RESULTS: CAD was present in 22 patients (23.4%) and absent in 72 (76.6%). Asymptomatic PAD (ABI < or = 0.9) was present in 6 patients (27.2%) of CAD group and in 7 patients (9.7%) of the non-CAD group. Significant difference was found in ABI based on the presence or not of CAD [0.95 (0.23) vs 1.17 (0.15), p<0.001]. The diagnostic value of ABI for CAD detection was evaluated: area under the ROC curve was 0.8 (IC 95%: 0.70-0.87) and optimal cut-off point was 0.8 (sensitivity=22.7% and specificity=98.6%). In the multivariate analysis, ABI was the best independent predictor of CAD (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: ABI is a simple, cheap and efficient method, which complements other conventional diagnostic methods in the recognition of patients with ACP due to CAD.

Circulación colateral por persistencia de sinusoides embrionarios / Collateral circulation due to persistent myocardial sinusoids

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Torsade-de-pointes in a patient under flecainide treatment, an unusual case of proarrhythmicity.

Flecainide is an antiarrhythmic considered safe in patients who have no structural cardiopathy, and frequently used in the prevention of atrial fibrillation. However, in patients with a history of infarction and/or severe conduction disorders, its proarrhythmicity may be lethal. Torsade-de-pointes type tachycardia is not included as one of these proarrhythmic effects, since the drug's scant action on ventricular repolarization makes this adverse effect very unlikely. We present the case of a patient who, shortly after beginning treatment with flecainide, was admitted because of syncope related to bradyarrhythmias, long QT, and torsade-de-pointes. There have been very few published cases in which one finds such an association between flecainide and this infrequent arrhythmia.

Paciente con pericarditis efusivo-constrictiva idiopática / A case of idiopathic effusive–constrictive pericarditis

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[Structural features of the sinus of valsalva and the proximal portion of the coronary arteries: their relevance to retrograde aortocoronary dissection]. / Características estructurales de los senos de Valsalva y porción proximal de las arterias coronarias. Su relevancia durante la disección retrógrada aortocoronaria.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Retrograde aortocoronary dissection is an unusual complication of coronary angioplasty. Our study provides new structural details of the aortic sinuses and the proximal portions of the coronary arteries, which enable better understanding of several clinical features associated with this complication. METHODS: We studied eight aortic sinus specimens from patients with structural ischemic heart disease using dissection, histologic analysis, and scanning electron microscopy, and compared findings with those in eight control specimens. RESULTS: We observed the following features: a) in 10 specimens (71%), the left coronary artery diameter was greater than the right; b) the angle that the ascending aorta made with the left coronary artery was acute, whereas that with the right coronary artery was closer to a right angle, thereby possibly providing a better approach for catheterization; c) in contrast to those of the right coronary artery, the periostial wall and sinotubular junction of the left coronary artery were formed by more smooth muscle cells and by a dense matrix of collagen type-I fibers, and d) the aortic sinuses and coronary arteries in structural ischemic heart disease specimens displayed structural alterations that affected the aortic tunica media and the collagen distribution at the sinotubular junction. CONCLUSIONS: The morphological and structural differences observed between right and left sides suggest that the left aortic sinus is more resistant to traction and is, therefore, less prone to iatrogenic dissection. Structural ischemic heart disease is a risk factor that increases the likelihood of aortocoronary dissection.

Características estructurales de los senos de Valsalva y porción proximal de las arterias coronarias. Su relevancia durante la disección retrógrada aortocoronaria / Structural features of the sinus of Valsalva and the proximal portion of the coronary arteries: their relevance to retrograde aortocoronary dissection

Introducción y objetivos. La disección retrógrada aortocoronaria es una complicación poco frecuente que sigue a la angioplastia coronaria. Nuestro estudio proporciona nuevos detalles estructurales de los senos aórticos y la porción proximal de las arterias coronarias para un mejor entendimiento de aspectos relacionados con esta complicación. Métodos. Hemos analizado mediante técnicas de disección, histológicas y de microscopia electrónica de barrido los senos aórticos de 8 especímenes con cardiopatía isquémica estructural y se comparan con 8 especímenes control. Resultados. Hemos observado las siguientes características: a) el diámetro de la arteria coronaria izquierda en 10 especímenes (71%) fue mayor que el de la derecha; b) el ángulo que forma la coronaria izquierda con la aorta ascendente es agudo, mientras que el de la coronaria derecha tiende a ser recto, por lo que puede presentar un mejor abordaje para la cateterización; c) la pared periostial y la unión sinotubular de la coronaria izquierda contiene, a diferencia de la derecha, más células musculares lisas y una densa matriz de colágeno tipo I, y d) los senos aórticos y coronarias de los especímenes con cardiopatía estructural presentan alteraciones estructurales que alteran la túnica media aórtica y la distribución del colágeno de la unión sinotubular. Conclusiones. Las diferencias morfológicas y estructurales observadas indican que el seno aórtico izquierdo es más resistente a las tracciones y, por lo tanto, menos propenso a la disección iatrogénica. La cardiopatía isquémica estructural es un factor de riesgo que incrementa la predisposición a la disección aortocoronaria

Introduction and objectives. Retrograde aortocoronary dissection is an unusual complication of coronary angioplasty. Our study provides new structural details of the aortic sinuses and the proximal portions of the coronary arteries, which enable better understanding of several clinical features associated with this complication. Methods. We studied eight aortic sinus specimens from patients with structural ischemic heart disease using dissection, histologic analysis, and scanning electron microscopy, and compared findings with those in eight control specimens. Results. We observed the following features: a) in 10 specimens (71%), the left coronary artery diameter was greater than the right; b) the angle that the ascending aorta made with the left coronary artery was acute, whereas that with the right coronary artery was closer to a right angle, thereby possibly providing a better approach for catheterization; c) in contrast to those of the right coronary artery, the periostial wall and sinotubular junction of the left coronary artery were formed by more smooth muscle cells and by a dense matrix of collagen type-I fibers, and d) the aortic sinuses and coronary arteries in structural ischemic heart disease specimens displayed structural alterations that affected the aortic tunica media and the collagen distribution at the sinotubular junction. Conclusions. The morphological and structural differences observed between right and left sides suggest that the left aortic sinus is more resistant to traction and is, therefore, less prone to iatrogenic dissection. Structural ischemic heart disease is a risk factor that increases the likelihood of aortocoronary dissection

Kidney tumour mimicking cardiac mass.

The discovery of a mass in the right atrium obliges the clinician to perform a broad differential diagnosis between a primary cardiac tumour (with myxoma being the most frequent), invasion of an extracardiac tumour, vegetations on the tricuspid valve, and an atrial thrombus. We describe the case of a patient who was admitted to our service with a diagnosis of suspected myxoma based on the chance transthoracic echocardiographic discovery of a right atrial mass. A transesophageal echocardiogram showed the process to be extracardiac, and magnetic resonance imaging showed it to originate at the renal level extending via the inferior vena cava to the right atrium. Tumour extension with thrombosis of the vena cava is a relatively frequent complication of renal carcinoma, but only exceptionally does it reach the right atrium. It is also exceptional that this was a chance finding in an asymptomatic patient.