Percutaneous reconstruction of the continuity of a functionally interrupted aortic arch using a stent

A case of a 26-year-old man without continuity of blood flow in the level of the isthmus of the aorta is described. During interventional catheterization, we reconstructed this continuity and implanted a vascular stent. (Cardiol J 2008; 15: 80-84

Symptomatic tachy- and bradyarrhythmias after transcatheter closure of interatrial communications with Amplatzer devices

Background: The aim of this paper is to present our own experience related to frequency of symptomatic tachy- and bradyarrhythmias in patients after transcatheter closure of interatrial defects (ASD) and patent foramen ovale (PFO) using Amplatzer plugs. Methods: Transcatheter closure of interatrial communications with Amplatzer devices was carried out on 739 patients in our center. Only patients with new symptomatic arrhythmias (who required pharmacotherapy, cardioversion or pacemaker implantation) were included in to the study. All patients who had had arrhythmias prior to ASD closure, such as supraventricular tachycardias (SVT) or atrial flutter/fibrillation (AF), were excluded. Results: New tachy- and bradyarrhythmias after implantation of Amplatzer devices were observed in 11 patients (1.5%). There were 9 patients (mean age 36.7 years) with atrial tachyarrhythmias (AF in 8 and SVT in 1 patients), which occurred between the first day and 3 months after implantation. Seven patients were treated initially by pharmacotherapy; in 2 of them sinus rhythm returned just after cardioversion. In other 2 patients cardioversion was performed as an initial therapy. In none of these patients, but one recurrence of tachycardia was observed; however, 7 of them had pharmacotherapy prolonged up to 1 year. In 2 patients, aged 15 and 16, complete atrioventricular (AV) block was observed 4.3 and 1.5 years after Amplatzer implantation, respectively. In the first patient intermittent second-degree AV block (Mobitz II) was observed before ASD closure. In both patients, a DDDR pacemaker was implanted. Conclusions: Transcatheter closure of ASD using Amplatzer devices is associated with a risk of new atrial tachyarrhythmias (usually early after the procedure and in older patients). The risk of conduction disturbances such as complete heart block, which can occur in late followup, is low. Thence, close long-term follow-up of these patients is obligatory

Utility of the dobutamine stress echocardiography in the evaluation of the effects of a surgical repair of aortic coarctation in children

Background: Exercise-induced hypertension following repair of the coarctation of the aorta (CoA) is a well known phenomenon. The most important functional parameters in the assessment of the effects of a surgical repair of CoA are the maximal pressure gradient in the descending aorta (GRAD) and systolic blood pressure (SBP). Results of treadmill exercise test using the Bruce protocol (treadmill test) and dobutamine stress echocardiography (DSE) were compared to determine utility of the DSE in the evaluation of the effects of surgical treatment of CoA in children. Methods: The study population comprised of 29 patients, including 20 males and 9 females (mean age 12 years) who underwent a surgical repair of CoA. Changes of the cardiovascular parameters including SBP, GRAD and heart rate (HR) during the treadmill test and DSE were compared. Results: During the treadmill test, SBP at peak exercise ranged from 120 to 230 (mean 163.7) mm Hg, GRAD ranged from 29 to 109 (mean 59.8) mm Hg, and HR ranged from 140 to 188 (mean 169) bpm. At the end of DSE, SBP ranged from 123 to 215 (mean 164.7) mm Hg, GRAD ranged from 29 to 113 (mean 55.4) mm Hg, and HR ranged from 76 to 155 (mean 111) bpm. We found positive correlations of SBP (r = 0.68, p < 0.001) and GRAD (r = 0.82, p < 0.001) values during both tests but no significant correlation for HR (r = 0.42, p = NS). Conclusions: Dobutamine stress echocardiography is useful in the evaluation of the effects of surgical repair of CoA in children

Balonowe próby okluzyjne jako kwalifikacja do określonego postępowania terapeutycznego w przypadku złożonych wad wrodzonych serca

U chorych po paliatywnych zabiegach operacyjnych z powodu złożonych wad wrodzonych serca często występują trudności związane z ostateczną kwalifikacją do dalszego leczenia. Podjęcie decyzji może ułatwić balonowa próba okluzyjna. Autorzy przedstawiają doświadczenia własne dotyczące tego typu prób u sześciorga pacjentów

The Two Anomalies of Wilhelm Ebstein

The year 2016 was the 180th anniversary of Wilhelm Ebstein\u27s birth and the 150th anniversary of his description of the congenital tricuspid valve malformation that came to be known as Ebstein anomaly. We present a brief history of the life and work of Dr. Wilhelm Ebstein. Despite his distinguished career, he is seemingly forgotten in his own birthplace. We include a review of the relevant historical medical literature

Adam Christian Thebesius\u27 Channels into the Human Heart: the Thebesian Veins and the Thebesian Valve

In 1708, Adam Christian Thebesius, a 22-year-old student at Leiden University, presented his graduate thesis, Disputatio medica inauguralis de circulo sanguinis in corde. More than a doctoral dissertation, this groundbreaking work opened new channels into the study of the human coronary venous system. Thebesius\u27 theory about the vascular communication between the coronary arteries and the chambers of the heart helped to advance understanding of hemodynamic principles and to clarify the physiologic pathways of the coronary circulation. The following article—the third in a trilogy about Lower Silesian scientists—provides an overview of the life story and achievements of this Silesian physician and innovator, whose name was immortalized in 2 cardiac eponyms: the Thebesian veins and the Thebesian valve

Kardiomiopatia takotsubo u dziecka — opis przypadku

A case of a 14-year-old boy admitted to a paediatric cardiology ward with symptoms of an acute coronary syndrome ispresented. Diagnostics indicated takotsubo cardiomyopathy. The symptoms occurred after the chest injury that hadhappened during a sports event (the patient trains taekwondo intensively). The boy was under extreme stress related tocompetition. Computed angiotomography ruled out coronary pathologies, while echocardiography showed typical signsof takotsubo cardiomyopathy. During hospitalisation, the patient’s general condition got better fast, with the left ventriclegeometry becoming normalised and cardiac contractility improving. No descriptions of takotsubo cardiomyopathyhave been found in peadiatric population in Polish literature.W artykule przedstawiono przypadek chłopca w wieku 14 lat, który został przyjęty na oddział kardiologii dziecięcej z objawami ostrego zespołu wieńcowego. Na podstawie przeprowadzonej diagnostyki rozpoznano kardiomiopatię takotsubo. Objawy choroby wystąpiły po urazie klatki piersiowej, do którego doszło podczas zawodów sportowych (pacjent intensywnie trenuje taekwondo). Chłopiec przeżywał bardzo silny stres związany z rywalizacją. W wykonanej angiotomografii komputerowej wykluczono obecność patologii wieńcowych, natomiast w badaniu echokardiograficznym stwierdzono typowy obraz towarzyszący kardiomiopatii takotsubo. Podczas hospitalizacji obserwowano szybką poprawę stanu ogólnego z normalizacją geometrii lewej komory i poprawą kurczliwości. W rodzimej literaturze autorzy nie znaleźli opisu kardiomiopatii takotsubo w populacji dziecięcej

Przezskórne wszczepienie stentu u 52-letniego pacjenta z ciasnym wrodzonym zwężeniem cieśni aorty i objawami niewydolności serca

W pracy przedstawiono przypadek 52-letniego mężczyzny z ciasnym wrodzonym zwężeniem cieśni aorty i z objawami niewydolności serca, któremu przezskórnie wszczepiono stent do aorty. Stan ogólny pacjenta uległ szybkiej poprawie. (Folia Cardiol. 2003; 10: 225&#8211;229

Balonowe próby okluzyjne jako kwalifikacja do określonego postępowania terapeutycznego w przypadku złożonych wad wrodzonych serca

U chorych po paliatywnych zabiegach operacyjnych z powodu złożonych wad wrodzonych serca często występują trudności związane z ostateczną kwalifikacją do dalszego leczenia. Podjęcie decyzji może ułatwić balonowa próba okluzyjna. Autorzy przedstawiają doświadczenia własne dotyczące tego typu prób u sześciorga pacjentów