The acutely occluded left main coronary artery culprit in cardiogenic shock and initial percutaneous coronary intervention: a substudy of the Manitoba "no option" left main PCI registry.

We aim to describe the in-hospital outcomes of the first reported Canadian cohort of patients with cardiogenic shock and acute myocardial infarction (MI) due to acute and total occlusion of the left main coronary artery, treated with initial percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Acute left main thromboses with cardiogenic shock were identified (N = 8) from a retrospective consecutive cohort of high risk left main PCI (N = 56) performed at our institution from 2004-2009. The mean age was 62.3 ± 13.2 years, with 6 (75%) male patients. Successful PCI was performed in all patients, with thrombectomy utilized in 4 patients (50%), stenting in 7 patients (88%), and intra-aortic balloon pump augmentation in 7 patients (88%). Two patients (25%) required extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) and 2 other patients required ventricular assist devices. Post-PCI coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) was performed for 2 patients (25%). The mean SYNTAX score was 26.6 ± 10.5. The mean logistic EuroSCORE was 30.4 ± 12.6%. In-hospital mortality occurred in 3 patients (38%). Acute left main occlusion is a rare but devastating presentation of myocardial infarction, invariably with cardiogenic shock. Emergent PCI may be an effective method to acutely revascularize this subset of patients; however, aggressive post-PCI care including ECMO, CABG, and ventricular support may be required to improve patient survival.

Happiness can break your heart: a rare case of takotsubo cardiomyopathy after good news.

Takotsubo cardiomyopathy (TTC) mimics acute myocardial infarction on electrocardiography and is characterized by transient left ventricular dysfunction and positive cardiac biomarkers in the absence of significant coronary disease. In the majority of cases, TTC affects postmenopausal women and is commonly incited by a recent negative emotional stressor, although the pathophysiological mechanism of this process is incompletely understood. In contrast, we describe a case in which TTC developed after a recent positive emotional event in a postmenopausal woman.

An unusual cause of ventricular tachycardia: Port-A-Cath fracture and embolization into the pulmonary artery.

We describe the case of a patient with a previously placed Port-A-Cath who was admitted to hospital for new onset of non-flushing catheter and palpitations with ventricular tachycardia. A chest X-ray and a linogram showed a Port-A-Cath fracture and distal embolization into the right ventricle resulting in ventricular tachycardia. The catheter was removed percutaneously using a Goose Neck snare with no complications and resolution of the ventricular tachycardia. The removed segment demonstrated thrombus. Prompt removal of the embolized catheter fragments should be undertaken given the subtle nature of the embolization and the potential complications.

Radiation dose reduction in the cardiac catheterization laboratory utilizing a novel protocol.

OBJECTIVES: This study reports the results a novel radiation reduction protocol (RRP) system for coronary angiography and interventional procedures and the determinants of radiation dose. BACKGROUND: The cardiac catheterization laboratory is an important source of radiation and should be kept in good working order with dose-reduction and monitoring capabilities. METHODS: All diagnostic coronary angiograms and percutaneous coronary interventions from a single catheterization laboratory were analyzed 2 months before and after RRP implementation. The primary outcome was the relative dose reduction at the interventional reference point. Separate analyses were done for conventional 15 frames/s (FPS) and at reduced 7.5 FPS post-RRP groups. RESULTS: A total of 605 patients underwent coronary angiography (309 before RRP and 296 after RRP), with 129 (42%) and 122 (41%) undergoing percutaneous coronary interventions before and after RRP, respectively. With RRP, a 48% dose reduction (1.07 ± 0.05 Gy vs. 0.56 ± 0.03 Gy, p < 0.0001) was obtained, 35% with 15 FPS RRP (0.70 ± 0.05 Gy, p < 0.0001) and 62% with 7.5 FPS RRP (0.41 ± 0.03 Gy, p < 0.001). Similar dose reductions for diagnostic angiograms and percutaneous coronary interventions were noted. There was no change in the number of stents placed or vessels intervened on. Increased dose was associated with male sex, radial approach, increasing body mass index, cine runs, and frame rates. Using a multivariable model, a 48% relative risk with RRP (p < 0.001), 44% with 15 FPS RRP and 68% with 7.5 FPS RRP was obtained. CONCLUSIONS: We demonstrate a highly significant 48.5% adjusted radiation dose reduction using a novel algorithm, which needs strong consideration among interventional cardiology practice.

Reflex systemic sympatho-neural response to brachial adenosine infusion in treated heart failure.

AIMS: In healthy men, brachial artery adenosine infusion elicits a reflex increase in total body norepinephrine (NE) spillover (TBS) that is blunted by oral angiotensin AT(1) receptor blockade. Our objectives were to determine whether a similar reflex is active in treated heart failure (HF) patients and attenuated by ARB. METHODS AND RESULTS: In this double-blind study, 12 patients with an ejection fraction ≤40% were randomized to 2 weeks of oral candesartan up-titrated to 32 mg/day or placebo. Forearm blood flow was measured bilaterally by venous occlusion plethysmography. Total body NE spillover was determined following infusion of tritiated NE. After saline was infused into the non-dominant brachial artery to establish baseline values, adenosine and nitroprusside (as vasodilator control) were administered in random order. Both caused dose-dependent increases in ipsilateral but not contralateral blood flow. Nitroprusside had no TBS effect, whereas adenosine reduced TBS from 3967 (SD 2362) to 3293 pmol/min (SD 2093) (P = 0.03). This decrease was not augmented in candesartan-treated subjects [-1096 (SD 726) vs. -253 pmol/min (SD 1094); placebo vs. candesartan; P = 0.22]. CONCLUSIONS: In contrast to healthy men, in treated HF patients, locally infused adenosine does not elicit a reflex sympatho-excitatory response mediated by angiotensin AT(1)-modulated neurotransmission.

Characterization of clopidogrel hypersensitivity reactions and management with oral steroids without clopidogrel discontinuation.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to characterize clopidogrel hypersensitivity and describe its successful management with oral steroids without clopidogrel discontinuation. BACKGROUND: Hypersensitivity reactions to clopidogrel are poorly understood and present difficulty in management. METHODS: Patients diagnosed with clopidogrel hypersensitivity after percutaneous coronary intervention underwent evaluation and received oral prednisone without clopidogrel discontinuation. Cutaneous testing was performed after completion of clopidogrel therapy for diagnosis and assessment of cross-reactivity. RESULTS: Sixty-two patients representing 1.6% of the percutaneous coronary intervention population developed clopidogrel hypersensitivity during the study period. The mean age was 62 ± 11 years, 71% of patients were male, and 35% reported prior adverse drug reaction. Clopidogrel hypersensitivity manifested as generalized exanthema in 79%, localized skin reaction in 16%, and angioedema or urticaria in 5% of patients. Biopsy of affected areas demonstrated a lymphocyte-mediated delayed hypersensitivity reaction. Complete resolution of hypersensitivity reaction was observed in 61 patients (98%) with a short course of oral prednisone. Cutaneous testing confirmed delayed hypersensitivity reaction to clopidogrel in 34 (81%) and immediate hypersensitivity in 3 of 42 patients (7%) tested. Allergenic cross-reactivity was observed for ticlopidine in 10 (24%), prasugrel in 7 (17%), and both ticlopidine and prasugrel in 3 patients (7%). Histological examination showed lymphocyte-mediated hypersensitivity in abnormal patch test areas. CONCLUSIONS: Clopidogrel hypersensitivity is manifested as generalized exanthema and is caused by a lymphocyte-mediated delayed hypersensitivity in most patients. This can be managed with oral steroids without clopidogrel discontinuation. Allergenic cross-reactivity with ticlopidine, prasugrel, or both is present in a significant number of patients with clopidogrel hypersensitivity.

Bone marrow donation in childhood: one donor's perspective.

Allogeneic bone marrow transplantation is an established treatment modality for leukemia, hematologic disorders and inborn errors of metabolism. while the focus of attention is the transplant recipient, the bone marrow donor (often a sibling) is both physically and emotionally involved in the process. Few reports have been written from the donor's perspective, however. One of the authors of this report (G.P.) was a marrow donor as a child, and he reflects on this experience at the completion of his first year of training in medical school.