Spontaneous left anterior descending coronary artery dissection in a patient with neurofibromatosis

Neurofibromatosis (NF) is a genetic disorder inherited in an autosomal dominant pattern. Subtypes I and II are the most well recognized, and among these, Type I has associated vasculopathy. Less than 3% of patients have vascular involvement, with the renal artery as the most commonly involved vessel. Dissection and rupture of aneurysms in larger arteries such as the subclavian and the aorta have been previously reported. This is the first reported case of a spontaneous coronary artery dissection in a patient with NF-I. Imperative in the percutaneous treatment of coronary artery dissections is early recognition and proactive decision making. Recognition of a possible association between NF and coronary dissections will further facilitate successful and prompt management of this otherwise rare entity

Safe Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement in a Patient with a Highly Mobile Aortic Valve Mass

Some cardiac valve masses may have embolic potential with worrisome consequences. We describe the dilemmas of and solutions for a highly mobile papillary fibroelastoma on the aortic valve in a nonsurgical patient undergoing transcatheter aortic valve replacement. It was performed safely. The potential strategies to minimize the risk of embolization are discussed

Role of hunger hormone “Ghrelin” in long-term weight loss following laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy

Introduction: Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) has become a popular weight loss technique in morbidly obese patients. The aim of our study was to evaluate the changes in plasma ghrelin levels in relation to weight loss following LSG and to study the efficacy of LSG in terms of long‑term glycemic control and resolution of diabetes.Methodology: The study was conducted on 70 morbidly obese patients (body mass index [BMI] >40 kg/m2) or severely obese patients (BMI >35 kg/m2) with comorbidities who underwent LSG in Dayanand Medical College and Hospital, Ludhiana, India. Ghrelin levels were measured preoperatively and postoperatively at 1 week, 3 months, and 6 months along with measurements of various weight loss parameters and glycosylated hemoglobin.Results: A significant decrease in plasma ghrelin levels was observed in relation to the mean weight and percentage excess weight loss at 3 months postoperatively. However, at 6 months, fall in ghrelin reached a plateau phase while weight loss was still sustained and significant. There was a significant fall in glycosylated hemoglobin levels with patients achieving good control/resolution of diabetes Type II.Conclusion: LSG is an effective weight loss surgery and brings about excellent weight loss in morbidly obese individuals in addition to achievement of good glycemic control in diabetic individuals. Serum levels of ghrelin fall significantly after sleeve gastrectomy. However, long term implications of ghrelin induced weight loss cannot be elucidated.Keywords: Ghrelin, laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy, morbid obesity surger

Postoperative atrial fibrillation is not associated with an increase risk of stroke or the type and number of grafts: A single-center retrospective analysis

BACKGROUND: Atrial fibrillation (AF) and atrial flutter are the 2 most common types of dysrhythmia in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery and are associated with increased morbidity and mortality. We sought to explore the association between the type and quantity of bypass grafts and cardiovascular outcomes in patients with postoperative AF (POAF). HYPOTHESIS: The type and quantity of bypass grafts is associated with POAF. METHODS: We queried the Society of Thoracic Surgery National Database for CABG operations, both with and without valve procedures, performed at Baystate Medical Center between January 2002 and July 2007. We used multivariable logistic regression modeling to identify predictors of POAF and to explore the impact of AF on major adverse cardiac outcomes in this post-CABG population. RESULTS: A total of 3068 patients received CABG surgery, 187 (6.1%) of whom received concurrent valve replacement or repair. The incidence of POAF was 38.3%. POAF was significantly associated with readmission within 30 days (P \u3c 0.009), increased length of stay (P \u3c 0.0001), and a strong trend toward increased 30 day mortality (P = 0.058). There was no association between POAF and postoperative stroke (P = 0.92), graft type (P = nonsignificant) or number of grafts (P = nonsignificant). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with POAF experienced increased morbidity and mortality as demonstrated by previous studies. Neither the number of grafts nor type of grafts was associated with POAF. Furthermore, the rate of stroke was not associated with POAF. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc