Open Access DOI:10.23937/2378-2951/1410047
Guidewire Fracture during Crossing A Chronic Coronary Total Occlusion: A Troublesome Experience
ErsanTatli, MustafaYilmaztepe, Ali Buturak and Yusuf Can
Article Type: Case Report | First Published: August 30, 2015
Increased interest focusing on coronary chronic total occlusions has emerged since several studies have proven improved cardiovascular outcomes and quality of life after successful chronic total occlusion (CTO) revascularization. CTO of an epicardial coronary artery is one of the leading challenging complex lesion type when percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is indicated. Advanced antegrade and retrograde techniques performed with dedicated equipment have provided significant improvements ...
Open Access DOI:10.23937/2378-2951/1410044
Randomized Trial of a Discharge Planning and Telehealth Intervention for Patients Aged 65 and older after Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery
Ruth M. Kleinpell, Boaz Avitall, Cathy Catrambone, Tricia Johnson, Louis Fogg, Shirley Moore and Nicole T. Thompson
Article Type: Research Article | First Published: August 28, 2015
Despite diagnostic and treatment advances, coronary heart disease (CHD) remains the leading cause of death in Americans over the age of 65. Coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG) is the most frequently performed major surgery for CHD in the United States (U.S.). While the rates of CABG surgeries have declined in recent years due to the increased use of percutaneous coronary procedures, current treatment guidelines from the American Heart Association and the American College of Cardiology identify...
Open Access DOI:10.23937/2378-2951/1410043
Hemolytic Anemia 19 Years after Mitral Valve Replacement with A Porcine Bioprosthesis
Debora Corsi, Michele Celiento, Stefano Pratali, Alberto Balbarini and Uberto Bortolotti
Article Type: Case Report | First Published: August 27, 2015
A 58-year-old man had undergone mitral valve replacement with a 27 mm Carpentier-Edwards porcine bioprosthesis (Edwards Lifesciences, Irvine, USA) in 1993. Nineteen years later he presented with dark urine, fatigue and moderate dyspnea denying any history of infection. He was in atrial fibrillation with a systolic mitral regurgitant murmur. Hematologic evaluation was consistent with haemolytic anemia; particularly, reduced hemoglobin, hematocrit and haptoglobin (6.6 mg/dl), and increased total b...
Open Access DOI:10.23937/2378-2951/1410042
Herpes Simplex Encephalitis, an Unusual Cause of Sinus Node Dysfunction: Case Report and Literature Review
Pierre-Philippe Nicol, Jean-Philippe Talarmin and Thierry Joseph
Article Type: Case Report | First Published: July 25, 2015
Herpes simplex encephalitis is responsible for progressive alteration of behaviour, epilepsy, focal neurological signs, and cognitive problems, but is rarely involved in sinus node dysfunction. We describe this association in a 66-year-old woman with a complete cardiac and neurologic recovery after acyclovir treatment. Consequently, this aetiology of sinoatrial arrest should be recognized in order to systematically assess cardiac monitoring and avoid unnecessary pacemaker implantation. Moreover ...
Open Access DOI:10.23937/2378-2951/1410041
Origin of Right Coronary Artery from the Ascending Aorta: An Extremely Rare Anomaly
Abdulrahman M Abdulbaki and Shivang Shah
Article Type: Case Report | First Published: June 24, 2015
The incidence of coronary anomalies in patients undergoing coronary angiography varies from 0.27% to 1.66%. Many of these anomalies are clinically benign; while, others are associated with serious morbidity. We describe the case of a patient undergoing coronary angiogram to evaluate her cardiomyopathy revealing an anomalous right coronary artery arising from the ascending aorta above the left sintubular junction plane. We discuss the rarity of this anomaly along with its clinical importance....
Open Access DOI:10.23937/2378-2951/1410039
Ranolazine: Beyond the Treatment of Chronic Stable Angina Pectoris
Nicola Vitulano, Pio Cialdella, Massimo Gustapane, Lorenzo Vitulano, Daniela Pedicino and Gemma Pelargonio
Article Type: Review Article | First Published: July 18, 2015
The aims in the treatment of angina are relief of pain and prevention of disease progression through risk reduction. A number of patients may have contraindications or remain unrelieved from anginal discomfort with conventional drugs. Among newer alternatives, ranolazine indirectly prevents the intracellular calcium overload involved in cardiac ischemia and it is a considered as a valid addition to traditional treatments. Recent findings showed potential positive side effect of ranolazine in the...
