Recurrent acute coronary events in a patient with primary Antiphospholipid syndrome: successful management with intracoronary stenting

Patients with Antiphospholipid syndrome usually present with recurrent deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary thromboembolism and thromboembolic stroke. Recurrent coronary events, though reported, are rare. We describe an unusual case of Antiphospholipid syndrome who presented with recurrent acute ischaemic events in two different coronary territories, who was managed successfully with intracoronary stenting

Heart valve function: a biomechanical perspective

Heart valves (HVs) are cardiac structures whose physiological function is to ensure directed blood flow through the heart over the cardiac cycle. While primarily passive structures that are driven by forces exerted by the surrounding blood and heart, this description does not adequately describe their elegant and complex biomechanical function. Moreover, they must replicate their cyclic function over an entire lifetime, with an estimated total functional demand of least 3×109 cycles. As in many physiological systems, one can approach HV biomechanics from a multi-length-scale approach, since mechanical stimuli occur and have biological impact at the organ, tissue and cellular scales. The present review focuses on the functional biomechanics of HVs. Specifically, we refer to the unique aspects of valvular function, and how the mechanical and mechanobiological behaviours of the constituent biological materials (e.g. extracellular matrix proteins and cells) achieve this remarkable feat. While we focus on the work from the authors' respective laboratories, the works of most investigators known to the authors have been included whenever appropriate. We conclude with a summary and underscore important future trends