Early Diagnosis of Right Ventricular Systolic Dysfunction by Tissue Doppler-Derived Isovolumic Myocardial Acceleration in Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

(ECHOCARDIOGRAPHY, Volume 26, October 2009)

The delivery methods used in cardiac stem cell therapy

Cardiac stem cell therapy is considered a promising alternative for the treatment of heart failure resulting from ischemic heart disease. Although short-term results demonstrate the beneficial effects of cardiac stem cell therapy on left ventricular functions and neo-vascularization, long-term effects have yet to be established. Various methods have been used for cardiac stem cell therapy, yielding varying degrees of success. However, the number of studies that compare the efficacy of these delivery approaches is still inadequate. Further studies are required to increase the efficiency of stem cell therapy, to delineate the pros and cons of different delivery techniques, and to provide more insight into identification, localization, and efficacy of transplanted cells within the target organ

Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty and stenting of proximal left subclavian artery stenosis in a patient with coronary-subclavian steal syndrome

Coronary-subclavian steel syndrome is a rare disease characterized by symptoms of myocardial ischemia, upper extremity claudication, and cerebrovascular insufficiency. A 57-year-old man who had undergone coronary artery bypass surgery with the use of a left internal mammary artery graft a year before developed angina pectoris of three-month history. He had complaints of increased chest pain induced by left arm movements and left arm incompetency. Physical examination showed a significant blood pressure difference between the right and left arms. Electrocardiography showed no recent ischemic changes. Cardiac enzymes were normal. On coronary angiography, vein grafts were patent. An aortogram showed proximal stenosis in the left subclavian artery and a selective subclavian angiogram showed diminished blood flow through the left internal mammary artery graft. Left subclavian artery angioplasty and stent implantation were performed, which resulted in complete patency of the left subclavian artery and sufficient re-flow through the graft. Subclavian steal syndrome disappeared

Mycotic Ascending Aortic Pseudoaneurysm Causing a Large Mediastinal Abscess

WOS: 000267659000016PubMed ID: 19594821(ECHOCARDIOGRAPHY, Volume 26, July 2009)