Cardiovascular Medicine

3 pages, 2461 KB

Open AccessInteresting Images

A Dangerous “Notch”

by Julija Klimusina and Andrea Menafoglio

Cardiovasc. Med. 2012, 15(6), 208; https://doi.org/10.4414/cvm.2012.01671 - 20 Jun 2012

Viewed by 9

Abstract

A 72-year-old woman was admitted to the hospital due to cardiac decompensation and pre-syncopes [...] Full article

2 pages, 1851 KB

Open AccessInteresting Images

Cannon Wave “Equivalent” —A Clinical Sign Observed During Echocardiography

by Alexander Breitenstein and Patric Biaggi

Cardiovasc. Med. 2012, 15(6), 206; https://doi.org/10.4414/cvm.2012.01674 - 20 Jun 2012

Viewed by 8

Abstract

A 59-year-old man with severe mitral regurgitation underwent successful mitral valve repair [...] Full article

4 pages, 2014 KB

Open AccessCase Report

Worldwide First Surgical Implantation of a Transcatheter Valved Stent in Mitral Position

by Thierry Carrel, Peter Wenaweser, Sylvia Reineke, René Simon, Balthasar Eberle, Stephan Windecker and Christoph Huber

Cardiovasc. Med. 2012, 15(6), 202; https://doi.org/10.4414/cvm.2012.01677 - 20 Jun 2012

Cited by 21 | Viewed by 10

Abstract

We report on the worldwide first implantation of a transcatheter valve in mitral position using a surgical approach to treat severe combined mitral valve disease, complicated by massive calcifications of the whole mitral anulus. The management of such calcification is demanding because prior [...] Read more.

We report on the worldwide first implantation of a transcatheter valve in mitral position using a surgical approach to treat severe combined mitral valve disease, complicated by massive calcifications of the whole mitral anulus. The management of such calcification is demanding because prior to valve repair or replacement, “en bloc decalcification” followed by reconstruction of the annulus is necessary. This method is superior to passing sutures through the calcium which may end with perivalvular leakage and atrioventricular rupture. In this 81-year-old female, the “off-label” implantation of a transcatheter valve allowed to greatly accelerate the procedure and eliminate the risk of atrioventricular rupture. Postoperative function of the transcatheter valve was excellent and the patient underwent uneventful recovery. Full article

4 pages, 1542 KB

Open AccessArticle

Neonatal Pulse Oximetry Screening for Congenital Heart Defects in Switzerland: Range of Pathology in Screening-Positive Individuals

by Johanna Schelp, Romaine Arlettaz, Maja Isabel Hug and Christian Balmer

Cardiovasc. Med. 2012, 15(6), 198; https://doi.org/10.4414/cvm.2012.01676 - 20 Jun 2012

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 13

Abstract

Background: Timely recognition of critical congenital heart defects in neonates is eminent to decrease the associated morbidity and mortality. Clinical symptoms are often lacking within the first few days of life, and 30% of the patients with critical congenital heart defects leave [...] Read more.

Background: Timely recognition of critical congenital heart defects in neonates is eminent to decrease the associated morbidity and mortality. Clinical symptoms are often lacking within the first few days of life, and 30% of the patients with critical congenital heart defects leave the maternity unit without being diagnosed. Early detection c an be improved by measuring the transcutaneous oxygen saturation within the first hours of life. Recent studies on pulse oximetry (pox) screening report a specificity of 95.5 to 100% and a sensitivity of 62–97% for detecting critical congenital heart defects in neonates when postductal transcutaneous saturation is below 95%. Pox screening has been recommended in Switzerland since 2005 by the Swiss Societies of Neonatology and Paediatric Cardiology. The aim of this study was to assess the identification of critical c ongenital heart defects (CHD) through pox screening by describing patient c haracteristics in screening-positive individuals. Methods and results: From January 2009 to January 2011 all Swiss paediatric cardiologists were asked to voluntarily fill out a standardised questionnaire for each patient undergoing echocardiography on account of positive pox screening. Prenatally diagnosed CHD were excluded from this analysis. A total of 48 questionnaires were returned. 27 neonates (56%) had structural heart defects (true positive pox screening test results) including 24 neonates with critical heart defects. In 21 patients (44%), cardiac anatomy was normal (false positive pox-screening test results). In 10 out of the 21 patients, low saturation was explained by evidence of pulmonary hypertension on echocardiography, with right to left shunting through a patent foramen ovale or arterial duct. This analysis is limited by underreporting, meaning that the true number of patients detected with pox screening in Switzerland may be higher. In addition, some Swiss maternity units do not perform routine pox screening. Conclusion: The current practice of pox screening in Switzerland made it possible to identify 24 neonates with critical CHD within two years. T hese patients were diagnosed in time and referred for further treatment in a stable condition. The results of this study support the evidence for the further use of pox screening for CHD in Switzerland. Full article

5 pages, 1572 KB

Open AccessArticle

Prospective Study on the Incidence of Prescribing Errors in Patients Admitted From Emergency Room to Medical Ward

by Tim Bulaty, Anna-Bettina Hunger, Thomas F. Lüscher and Abraham Licht

Cardiovasc. Med. 2012, 15(6), 193; https://doi.org/10.4414/cvm.2012.01673 - 20 Jun 2012

Viewed by 10

Abstract

Background: Errors in prescriptions are associated with adverse drug events. The aim of the study was to characterise prescribing errors in patients transferred from the emergency department (ED) to the inpatient ward. Methods: A prospective observational study was performed on all [...] Read more.

Background: Errors in prescriptions are associated with adverse drug events. The aim of the study was to characterise prescribing errors in patients transferred from the emergency department (ED) to the inpatient ward. Methods: A prospective observational study was performed on all medical patients presenting to the ED and subsequently transferred to an inpatient ward during a two-month period in a large tertiary hospital in Zurich. Prescribing errors were analysed on the basis of the incidence, type, severity, and nature of related factors. Results: Overall, 305 patients were included in the study and 183 clinically significant prescribing errors were identified, corresponding to an error rate of 6.7 (95% CI, 5.76–7.64) prescribing errors per 100 prescriptions. Sixty-seven (36.6%) of the prescribing errors were dosage errors, 94 (51.4%) selection errors, 11 (6.0%) incorrect orders and 11 (6.0%) unintentionally not prescribed but indicated drugs. Thirty-five prescribing errors (19.1%) were judged serious, 148 (80.9%) nonserious. The mean prescribing error rate per patient was associated significantly with the patient’s age (Pearson correlation coefficient: r = 0.89), the number of drugs per patient (r = 0.97) and creatinine clearance (r = –0.80). Conclusion: The most important risk factors for prescribing errors are age, creatinine clearance and number of drugs prescribed per patient. Improved awareness of these easily accessible risk factors in clinical practice has the potential to reduce prescribing errors and may lead to a reduction in adverse drug events. Full article

7 pages, 1562 KB

Open AccessReview

Pre-Participation Screening in Patients with Known Heart Disease

by Rahel Schwotzer and Christian Schmied

Cardiovasc. Med. 2012, 15(6), 186; https://doi.org/10.4414/cvm.2012.01672 - 20 Jun 2012

Viewed by 11

Abstract

Adapted physical exercise is a well-established cornerstone of therapy in almost any cardiovascular disease, even severe chronic heart failure. On the other hand, physical exercise can be a trigger for sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) or even sudden cardiac death (SCD). Although the yearly [...] Read more.

Adapted physical exercise is a well-established cornerstone of therapy in almost any cardiovascular disease, even severe chronic heart failure. On the other hand, physical exercise can be a trigger for sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) or even sudden cardiac death (SCD). Although the yearly incidence of exercise-related SCD in young athletes (age <35 years) is relatively rare (about 1–3 SCD in 100 000 young athletes per year), the incidence of fatal events undoubtedly increases in specific subgroups. Indeed, in older and untrained, previously sedentary individuals the incidence may be as high as nearly 7 deaths in 100 000 individuals per year. In cases of known underlying cardiac disease the risk of exercise-related SCD is fundamental. Currently, detailed European as well as North-American recommendations serve as reliable guidelines through most of the known cardiovascular diseases. In this review, the two expert panel consensus statements are highlighted by discussing the role of physiological adaptions during sports in general and by introducing some specific cardiovascular pathologies and their impact o n competitive sports. Full article

3 pages, 1575 KB

Open AccessEditorial

Patent Foramen Ovale, Is It More Dangerous to Close It Than to Leave it Open?

by Bernhard Meier

Cardiovasc. Med. 2012, 15(6), 183; https://doi.org/10.4414/cvm.2012.01675 - 20 Jun 2012

Viewed by 8

Abstract

The answer to the question in the title is clearly no. The CLOSURE I [...] Full article

Journal Menu

Journal Browser

Cardiovasc. Med., Volume 15, Issue 6 (06 2012) – 7 articles

Further Information

Guidelines

MDPI Initiatives

Follow MDPI