Single Coronary Artery with Anomalous Rising of the Right Coronary Artery: A Rare Coronary Anomaly Diagnosed by 256-Multidetector Computed Tomography

Herein we report the diagnostic potential of cardiac computed tomography (cCT) to delineate the origin and course of an anomalous right coronary artery (RCA) originating from the midpart of the left anterior descended artery (LAD) in an adult with no other form of congenital heart disease. The patient was referred to our institution due to exertional dyspnea and suspected coronary artery disease. The patient underwent X-ray coronary angiography, and no high grade lesions were observed in the left coronary vessels. In the course of the mid-left-anterior-descending artery (LAD), an anomalous side branch coursing away from the left circumflex coronary artery (LCX) was observed, while a right coronary ostium could not be depicted. cCT confirmed the absence of a right coronary ostium, and the vessel originating from the mid LAD was identified as an anomalous RCA, which coursed anterior of the aorta and the pulmonary trunk

Hepatic and Renal Failure after Anterior Myocardial Infarction Induced Apical Ventricular Septal Defect

We report the case of a 68-year-old man suffering from incremental hepatic and renal failure one month after anterior myocardial infarction. Cardiac MRI showed a pronounced apical post-AMI aneurysm, a moderate to severe mitral and tricuspid regurgitation as well as a hemodynamically highly significant 12 mm apical ventricular septal defect with a left-to-right ventricular shunt of almost 63% as the underlying cause. Heart X-ray revealed a severe LAD in-stent restenosis. CAPD catheter drainage of hydroperitoneum due to congestive liver and renal failure was provided in combination with intensified CAPD hemodialysis. Heart surgery was performed where the apical aneurysm was excised, the mitral valve was reconstructed, the IVSD was closed and the subtotally in-stent occluded LAD was bypassed. Post-surgery, the ascites were significantly reduced, and CAPD hemodialysis therapy could be terminated since the renal function gradually improved (MDRD = 25 mL/min). To our knowledge, for the first time we report successful CAPD catheter drainage of hydroperitoneum in combination with CAPD hemodialysis

Cost analysis of early discharge using combined copeptin/cardiac troponin testing versus serial cardiac troponin testing in patients with suspected acute coronary syndrome

Background: Symptoms indicating acute coronary syndrome are commonly seen in emergency rooms, but only 10% of patients are actually diagnosed with acute myocardial infarction (AMI). The Guidelines for the diagnosis of patients with suspected AMI include either multiple testing of cardiac troponin (cTN) or a single combined test of cTN and copeptin, which facilitates earlier diagnosis or exclusion of AMI. The aim of the present analysis was to investigate the impact of combined copeptin/cTN testing on health care resource consumption and related costs both during and after initial hospital treatment. Methods and results: The analysis was based on the BIC-8 trial and financial data of participating study sites. A cost analysis was carried out primarily from the hospital perspective and secondarily from the perspective of German statutory health insurers. The underlying assumptions of the investigation were tested for robustness in additional sensitivity analyses. In total, the data of 713 patients (n = 359 combined copeptin/cTN testing, n = 354 serial cTN testing) were evaluated. From a hospital perspective, the combined copeptin/cTN testing showed a reduced number of medical procedures and a lower frequency of inpatient admissions. The average staff time was significantly reduced by a mean of 49 minutes (95% confidence interval (CI) 46 to 53) per patient, accompanied by a significant mean reduction of 131 minutes (95%CI 104 to 158) in the time patients stayed in the emergency room. The initial hospital treatment was less cost-intensive. Over the entire study period, no significant cost differences were observed between the groups for health insurance. Conclusion: The combined copeptin/cTN testing has the potential to save costs and staff time in acute care and for the entire hospital stay. The primary explanations for these findings are early identification and ruling out patients without AMI along with the associated reduced need for acute medical treatment