A 49-year-old female patient consulted us for a cardiac evaluation before undergoing colon adenocarcinoma surgery. Three years prior, the patient underwent coronary angiography for dyspnea. The coronary angiography ex...A 49-year-old female patient consulted us for a cardiac evaluation before undergoing colon adenocarcinoma surgery. Three years prior, the patient underwent coronary angiography for dyspnea. The coronary angiography examination revealed a fistula originating from the left anterior descending artery and left main coronary artery, which had soft aneurysmal sacs and most likely drained into the pulmonary artery. Parasternal short axis echocardiography revealed a color flow that could be related to the fistula, but the other echocardiographic findings were normal. The patient did not accept the proposed examination and invasive treatment.展开更多
The purpose of this study was to analyze motion of the left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) and left ventricle during normal breathing and deep inspiration breath hold (DIBH). This is a dosimetric study util...The purpose of this study was to analyze motion of the left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) and left ventricle during normal breathing and deep inspiration breath hold (DIBH). This is a dosimetric study utilizing free-breathing and static DIBH scans from eleven patients treated with radiotherapy for breast cancer. The anterior-posterior displacement along the length of the LAD was measured in each respiratory phase. Standard treatment plans targeting the whole breast without treatment of the internal mammary lymph nodes were generated and dose to the LAD and LV calculated. Non-uniform movement of the LAD during respiratory maneuvers with the proximal third exhibiting the greatest displacement was observed. In DIBH compared to end-expiration (EP), the mean posterior displacement of the proximal 1/3 of the LAD was 8.99 mm, the middle 1/3 of the artery was 6.37 mm, and the distal 1/3 was 3.27 mm. In end-inspiration (IP) compared to end-expiration the mean posterior displacements of the proximal 1/3 of the LAD was 2.08 mm, the middle 1/3 of the artery was 0.91 mm, and the distal 1/3 was 0.97 mm. Mean doses to the LAD using tangential treatment fields and a prescribed dose of 50.4 Gy were 11.32 Gy in EP, 8.98 Gy in IP, and 3.50 Gy in DIBH. Mean doses to the LV were 2.38 Gy in EP, 2.31 Gy in IP, and 1.24 Gy in DIBH. In conclusion, inspiration and especially DIBH, cause a displacement of the origin and proximal 2/3 of the LAD away from the chest wall, resulting in sparing of the most critical segment of the artery during tangential radiotherapy.展开更多
Exercise-induced left bundle branch block(EI-LBBB)is infrequent phenomenon.We present two patients with angina pectoris who developed EI-LBBB during exercise tolerance test.The first patient with typical angina pector...Exercise-induced left bundle branch block(EI-LBBB)is infrequent phenomenon.We present two patients with angina pectoris who developed EI-LBBB during exercise tolerance test.The first patient with typical angina pectoris had significant obstructive coronary artery disease(CAD)requiring percutaneous coronary intervention of multiple lesions including placement of drug eluting stents.The second patient had atypical chest pain without signs of CAD at all.EI-LBBB occurred at a heart rate of 80 bpm and 141 bpm in the first and second patient,respectively.EI-LBBB remained visible through the test till the recovery period in the first patient at a heart rate of 83 bpm and disappeared at 96bpm in the second patient.Both patients with this infrequent phenomenon are discussed and the literature is reviewed.展开更多
A 63-year-old male with old myocardial infarction was referred to cardiology department with cardiac arrest.Electrocardiogram revealed Q wave in the precordial leads demonstrating ischemia of anterior left ventricular...A 63-year-old male with old myocardial infarction was referred to cardiology department with cardiac arrest.Electrocardiogram revealed Q wave in the precordial leads demonstrating ischemia of anterior left ventricular wall.Mild pulmonary edema was documented on chest X-ray.Transthoracic echocardiography showed severely reduced left ventricular function (EF: 28%) with enlarged left atrium and ventricle.Coronary angiography was performed showing a total occlusion of the proximal portion of the left anterior descending artery (LAD)(Figure 1) with chronic total occlusion in the proximal portion of right coronary artery.Xience stent 2.75 × 23 mm (Abbott) was implanted in the proximal LAD lesion.Coronary angiography after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) revealed no definite coronary fistula (Figure 2).Two weeks later,follow-up coronary angiography demonstrated multiple coronary-left ventricular fistulas (Figure 3) which were absent in the previous angiography.展开更多
Coronary artery anomalies （CAAs） are present at birth, but are usually asymptomatic and are found during coronary angiography or multi-slice computed tomography （MSCT） examinations. Their prevalence is less than 1...Coronary artery anomalies （CAAs） are present at birth, but are usually asymptomatic and are found during coronary angiography or multi-slice computed tomography （MSCT） examinations. Their prevalence is less than 1.3% based published series.1＇2 The most common coronary anomaly is separate origin of the left anterior descending coronary artery （LAD） and left circumflex coronary artery （LCX） from the left sinus of the Valsalva. The second most common anomaly is the origin of the LCX artery from the right coronary artery （RCA） or right sinus of the Valsalva. We present two cases of coronary artery anomalies： one is the left main coronary artery （LMCA） arising from the proximal RCA, the other is the LAD originating from the proximal RCA.展开更多
Aims: Left bundle branch block (LBBB) is generally associated with a poorer prognosis in comparison to normal intraventricular conduction, but also in comparison to right bundle branch block which is generally conside...Aims: Left bundle branch block (LBBB) is generally associated with a poorer prognosis in comparison to normal intraventricular conduction, but also in comparison to right bundle branch block which is generally considered to be benign in the absence of an underlying cardiac disorder like congenital heart disease. In this paper we evaluate the presence of possible cardiovascular pathology in a group of nurses with a low level of cardiovascular risk factors and left bundle branch block (LBBB). Methods: During the period 2009-2013, 356 nurses (mean age: 32.6 ± 11 yr) were admitted to the department of Occupational Medicine of Second University of Naples. Of these, 13 had LBBB. The evaluation of these patients has included an electrocardiogram (ECG), echocardiography, 24-h ambulatory Holter monitoring (ECG Holter), and exercise testing. Subsequently, in patients with LBBB, multislice computed coronary angiography (MSCT) has been considered. Results and Conclusion: Only in one patient we found a significant stenosis in the middle tract of left anterior descending artery. Coronary artery disease remains difficult to diagnose in some ECG findings such as acquired LBBB. For this reason, a preventive diagnose with newly developed diagnostic methods such as the multislice computed coronary angiography (MSCT) must try to account by the clinician in order to ruling out coronary artery disease (CAD) in workers with LBBB and low cardiovascular risk.展开更多
To the Editor： I read with great interest the case report of multiple myocardial bridges affecting both coronary arteries in a patient with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. However, I differ with the authors in their int...To the Editor： I read with great interest the case report of multiple myocardial bridges affecting both coronary arteries in a patient with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. However, I differ with the authors in their interpretation of the coronary arteriograms.展开更多
BACKGROUND Wellen’s syndrome is a form of acute coronary syndrome associated with proximal left anterior descending artery(LAD)stenosis and characteristic electro-cardiograph(ECG)patterns in pain free state.The abnor...BACKGROUND Wellen’s syndrome is a form of acute coronary syndrome associated with proximal left anterior descending artery(LAD)stenosis and characteristic electro-cardiograph(ECG)patterns in pain free state.The abnormal ECG pattern is classified into type A(biphasic T waves)and type B(deeply inverted T waves),based on the T wave pattern seen in the pericodial chest leads.CASE SUMMARY We present the case of a 37-year-old male with history of type 1 diabetes mellitus(T1DM),gastroparesis,mild peripheral artery disease and right toe cellulitis on IV antibiotics who presented to the emergency department with nausea,vomiting and abdominal pain for 3 d and as a result couldn’t take his insulin.Noted to have fasting blood sugar 392 mg/dL.Admitted for diabetic gastroparesis.During the hospital course,the patient was asymptomatic and denied any chest pain.On admission,No ECG and troponin draws were performed.On day 2,the patient became hypoxic with oxygen saturation 80%on room air,intermittent mild right-sided chest pain which he attributed to vomiting from his gastroparesis.Initial ECG done was significant for Biphasic T wave changes in leads V2 and V3 and elevated high sensitivity troponin.Patient was transitioned to cardiac intensive care unit and cardiac catheterization performed with result significant for extensive coronary artery disease.CONCLUSION This case highlights an exceptional manifestation of Wellen's syndrome,wherein the right coronary artery and circumflex artery display a remarkable 100%constriction,alongside a proximal LAD stenosis of 90%-95%.Notably,this occurrence transpired in a patient grappling with extensive complications arising from T1DM.Moreover,it underscores the utmost significance of promptly recognizing the presence of Wellen's syndrome and swiftly initiating appropriate medical intervention.展开更多
The prevalence of myocardial bridging in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy （HCM） is relatively higher, and it usually occurs in the middle and distal portions of the left anterior descending artery. It is rarely reported ...The prevalence of myocardial bridging in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy （HCM） is relatively higher, and it usually occurs in the middle and distal portions of the left anterior descending artery. It is rarely reported that multiple lesions of myocardial bridging affecting not only the left anterior descending artery but also right coronary artery. We reported a 56-year-old man suffering from chest discomfort on exertion. Echocardiography and ventriculography showed hypertrophy of the apex involving the anterior and lateral wall. Coronary angiograph revealed multiple myocardial bridges affecting the left anterior descending artery and the right posterior descending artery.展开更多
Reproducibility of clinical output is important when investigating therapeutic efficacy in pre-clinical animal studies.Due to its physiological relevance,a swine myocardial infarction(MI)model has been widely used to ...Reproducibility of clinical output is important when investigating therapeutic efficacy in pre-clinical animal studies.Due to its physiological relevance,a swine myocardial infarction(MI)model has been widely used to evaluate the effectiveness of stem cells or tissue-engineered constructs for ischemic heart diseases.Several methods are used to induce MI in the swine model.However,it is difficult,using these approaches,to obtain a similar level of functional outcomes from a group of animals due to interpersonal variation,leading to increased experimental cost.Hence,in order to minimize human intervention,we developed an approach to use a customized occluder that has dimensional similarities with that of the coronary artery of animals in the case of the swine model.We carried out angiography to measure the diameter of the middle left anterior descending artery of each individual animal to fabricate the customized occluder using a 3D-printing system.The fabricated occluder contained a central hole smaller than that of the targeted middle left anterior descending artery to mimic an atherosclerotic coronary artery that has an approximately 20%blocked condition.Interestingly,the 3D-printed occluder can provide continuous blood flow through the central pore,indicating a high survival rate(88%)of up to 28 days post-operation.This method showed the possibility of creating consistent myocardial infarction induction as compared to the conventional representative closed-chest method(50%survival rate),thus highlighting how our method can have a profound effect on accelerating reliable experiments for developing new therapeutic approaches to ischemic heart diseases.展开更多
Left bundle branch block （ LBBB ）, traditionally viewed as an electrophysiologic abnormality, is increasingly recognized for its effects on hemodynamics and patient＇s prognosis^[1]. Exercise nuclear studies frequen...Left bundle branch block （ LBBB ）, traditionally viewed as an electrophysiologic abnormality, is increasingly recognized for its effects on hemodynamics and patient＇s prognosis^[1]. Exercise nuclear studies frequently show reversible perfusion defects in the absence of obstructive coronary artery disease^[2] and some patients with intermittent LBBB develop angina coincident with the onset of LBBB^[3]. We report a case of intermittent LBBB with abnormal stress technetium 99m TC single-photon emission computed tomography （SPECT） study and normal coronary artery angiography.展开更多
文摘A 49-year-old female patient consulted us for a cardiac evaluation before undergoing colon adenocarcinoma surgery. Three years prior, the patient underwent coronary angiography for dyspnea. The coronary angiography examination revealed a fistula originating from the left anterior descending artery and left main coronary artery, which had soft aneurysmal sacs and most likely drained into the pulmonary artery. Parasternal short axis echocardiography revealed a color flow that could be related to the fistula, but the other echocardiographic findings were normal. The patient did not accept the proposed examination and invasive treatment.
文摘The purpose of this study was to analyze motion of the left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) and left ventricle during normal breathing and deep inspiration breath hold (DIBH). This is a dosimetric study utilizing free-breathing and static DIBH scans from eleven patients treated with radiotherapy for breast cancer. The anterior-posterior displacement along the length of the LAD was measured in each respiratory phase. Standard treatment plans targeting the whole breast without treatment of the internal mammary lymph nodes were generated and dose to the LAD and LV calculated. Non-uniform movement of the LAD during respiratory maneuvers with the proximal third exhibiting the greatest displacement was observed. In DIBH compared to end-expiration (EP), the mean posterior displacement of the proximal 1/3 of the LAD was 8.99 mm, the middle 1/3 of the artery was 6.37 mm, and the distal 1/3 was 3.27 mm. In end-inspiration (IP) compared to end-expiration the mean posterior displacements of the proximal 1/3 of the LAD was 2.08 mm, the middle 1/3 of the artery was 0.91 mm, and the distal 1/3 was 0.97 mm. Mean doses to the LAD using tangential treatment fields and a prescribed dose of 50.4 Gy were 11.32 Gy in EP, 8.98 Gy in IP, and 3.50 Gy in DIBH. Mean doses to the LV were 2.38 Gy in EP, 2.31 Gy in IP, and 1.24 Gy in DIBH. In conclusion, inspiration and especially DIBH, cause a displacement of the origin and proximal 2/3 of the LAD away from the chest wall, resulting in sparing of the most critical segment of the artery during tangential radiotherapy.
文摘Exercise-induced left bundle branch block(EI-LBBB)is infrequent phenomenon.We present two patients with angina pectoris who developed EI-LBBB during exercise tolerance test.The first patient with typical angina pectoris had significant obstructive coronary artery disease(CAD)requiring percutaneous coronary intervention of multiple lesions including placement of drug eluting stents.The second patient had atypical chest pain without signs of CAD at all.EI-LBBB occurred at a heart rate of 80 bpm and 141 bpm in the first and second patient,respectively.EI-LBBB remained visible through the test till the recovery period in the first patient at a heart rate of 83 bpm and disappeared at 96bpm in the second patient.Both patients with this infrequent phenomenon are discussed and the literature is reviewed.
文摘A 63-year-old male with old myocardial infarction was referred to cardiology department with cardiac arrest.Electrocardiogram revealed Q wave in the precordial leads demonstrating ischemia of anterior left ventricular wall.Mild pulmonary edema was documented on chest X-ray.Transthoracic echocardiography showed severely reduced left ventricular function (EF: 28%) with enlarged left atrium and ventricle.Coronary angiography was performed showing a total occlusion of the proximal portion of the left anterior descending artery (LAD)(Figure 1) with chronic total occlusion in the proximal portion of right coronary artery.Xience stent 2.75 × 23 mm (Abbott) was implanted in the proximal LAD lesion.Coronary angiography after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) revealed no definite coronary fistula (Figure 2).Two weeks later,follow-up coronary angiography demonstrated multiple coronary-left ventricular fistulas (Figure 3) which were absent in the previous angiography.
文摘Coronary artery anomalies （CAAs） are present at birth, but are usually asymptomatic and are found during coronary angiography or multi-slice computed tomography （MSCT） examinations. Their prevalence is less than 1.3% based published series.1＇2 The most common coronary anomaly is separate origin of the left anterior descending coronary artery （LAD） and left circumflex coronary artery （LCX） from the left sinus of the Valsalva. The second most common anomaly is the origin of the LCX artery from the right coronary artery （RCA） or right sinus of the Valsalva. We present two cases of coronary artery anomalies： one is the left main coronary artery （LMCA） arising from the proximal RCA, the other is the LAD originating from the proximal RCA.
文摘Aims: Left bundle branch block (LBBB) is generally associated with a poorer prognosis in comparison to normal intraventricular conduction, but also in comparison to right bundle branch block which is generally considered to be benign in the absence of an underlying cardiac disorder like congenital heart disease. In this paper we evaluate the presence of possible cardiovascular pathology in a group of nurses with a low level of cardiovascular risk factors and left bundle branch block (LBBB). Methods: During the period 2009-2013, 356 nurses (mean age: 32.6 ± 11 yr) were admitted to the department of Occupational Medicine of Second University of Naples. Of these, 13 had LBBB. The evaluation of these patients has included an electrocardiogram (ECG), echocardiography, 24-h ambulatory Holter monitoring (ECG Holter), and exercise testing. Subsequently, in patients with LBBB, multislice computed coronary angiography (MSCT) has been considered. Results and Conclusion: Only in one patient we found a significant stenosis in the middle tract of left anterior descending artery. Coronary artery disease remains difficult to diagnose in some ECG findings such as acquired LBBB. For this reason, a preventive diagnose with newly developed diagnostic methods such as the multislice computed coronary angiography (MSCT) must try to account by the clinician in order to ruling out coronary artery disease (CAD) in workers with LBBB and low cardiovascular risk.
文摘To the Editor： I read with great interest the case report of multiple myocardial bridges affecting both coronary arteries in a patient with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. However, I differ with the authors in their interpretation of the coronary arteriograms.
文摘BACKGROUND Wellen’s syndrome is a form of acute coronary syndrome associated with proximal left anterior descending artery(LAD)stenosis and characteristic electro-cardiograph(ECG)patterns in pain free state.The abnormal ECG pattern is classified into type A(biphasic T waves)and type B(deeply inverted T waves),based on the T wave pattern seen in the pericodial chest leads.CASE SUMMARY We present the case of a 37-year-old male with history of type 1 diabetes mellitus(T1DM),gastroparesis,mild peripheral artery disease and right toe cellulitis on IV antibiotics who presented to the emergency department with nausea,vomiting and abdominal pain for 3 d and as a result couldn’t take his insulin.Noted to have fasting blood sugar 392 mg/dL.Admitted for diabetic gastroparesis.During the hospital course,the patient was asymptomatic and denied any chest pain.On admission,No ECG and troponin draws were performed.On day 2,the patient became hypoxic with oxygen saturation 80%on room air,intermittent mild right-sided chest pain which he attributed to vomiting from his gastroparesis.Initial ECG done was significant for Biphasic T wave changes in leads V2 and V3 and elevated high sensitivity troponin.Patient was transitioned to cardiac intensive care unit and cardiac catheterization performed with result significant for extensive coronary artery disease.CONCLUSION This case highlights an exceptional manifestation of Wellen's syndrome,wherein the right coronary artery and circumflex artery display a remarkable 100%constriction,alongside a proximal LAD stenosis of 90%-95%.Notably,this occurrence transpired in a patient grappling with extensive complications arising from T1DM.Moreover,it underscores the utmost significance of promptly recognizing the presence of Wellen's syndrome and swiftly initiating appropriate medical intervention.
文摘The prevalence of myocardial bridging in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy （HCM） is relatively higher, and it usually occurs in the middle and distal portions of the left anterior descending artery. It is rarely reported that multiple lesions of myocardial bridging affecting not only the left anterior descending artery but also right coronary artery. We reported a 56-year-old man suffering from chest discomfort on exertion. Echocardiography and ventriculography showed hypertrophy of the apex involving the anterior and lateral wall. Coronary angiograph revealed multiple myocardial bridges affecting the left anterior descending artery and the right posterior descending artery.
基金supported by the Bio&Medical Technology Development Program and Basic Science Research Program through the National Research Foundation(NRF),funded by the Korean government(MSIT)(No.2018M3A9E2024584)the Ministry of Trade,Industry and Energy(MOTIE)and Korea Institute for Advancement of Technology(KIAT)through the International Cooperative R&D program(No.P0011282).
文摘Reproducibility of clinical output is important when investigating therapeutic efficacy in pre-clinical animal studies.Due to its physiological relevance,a swine myocardial infarction(MI)model has been widely used to evaluate the effectiveness of stem cells or tissue-engineered constructs for ischemic heart diseases.Several methods are used to induce MI in the swine model.However,it is difficult,using these approaches,to obtain a similar level of functional outcomes from a group of animals due to interpersonal variation,leading to increased experimental cost.Hence,in order to minimize human intervention,we developed an approach to use a customized occluder that has dimensional similarities with that of the coronary artery of animals in the case of the swine model.We carried out angiography to measure the diameter of the middle left anterior descending artery of each individual animal to fabricate the customized occluder using a 3D-printing system.The fabricated occluder contained a central hole smaller than that of the targeted middle left anterior descending artery to mimic an atherosclerotic coronary artery that has an approximately 20%blocked condition.Interestingly,the 3D-printed occluder can provide continuous blood flow through the central pore,indicating a high survival rate(88%)of up to 28 days post-operation.This method showed the possibility of creating consistent myocardial infarction induction as compared to the conventional representative closed-chest method(50%survival rate),thus highlighting how our method can have a profound effect on accelerating reliable experiments for developing new therapeutic approaches to ischemic heart diseases.
文摘Left bundle branch block （ LBBB ）, traditionally viewed as an electrophysiologic abnormality, is increasingly recognized for its effects on hemodynamics and patient＇s prognosis^[1]. Exercise nuclear studies frequently show reversible perfusion defects in the absence of obstructive coronary artery disease^[2] and some patients with intermittent LBBB develop angina coincident with the onset of LBBB^[3]. We report a case of intermittent LBBB with abnormal stress technetium 99m TC single-photon emission computed tomography （SPECT） study and normal coronary artery angiography.
