Cardiovascular Medicine

2 pages, 1050 KB

Open AccessEditorial

A PCI Live Course Where It All Began: The 4th European Live Summit on Retrograde Chronic Total Occlusion Revascularization at the Andreas Grüntzig Catheterization Laboratories on May 8–9, 2015

by Oliver Gaemperli, Alfredo R. Galassi, George Sianos, Lydia Tchambaz, Ruth Amstein and Thomas F. Lüscher

Cardiovasc. Med. 2015, 18(6), 205; https://doi.org/10.4414/cvm.2015.00342 - 24 Jun 2015

Viewed by 11

Abstract

When Andreas Grüntzig did his first procedures with his innovative balloon in 1977, he dared to treat only proximal type A lesions [...] Full article

2 pages, 635 KB

Open AccessEditorial

The New Postgraduate Course in Heart Failure (PCHF)—Update on the 1st and Announcement of the 2nd PCHF Course Edition

by Lydia Tchambaz, Ruth Amstein, Francesco Maisano, Thomas F. Lüscher and Frank Ruschitzka

Cardiovasc. Med. 2015, 18(6), 203; https://doi.org/10.4414/cvm.2015.00340 - 24 Jun 2015

Viewed by 11

Abstract

Heart failure has become the major cause of hospitalisation in patients over 65 years and the new epidemic of the 21st century [...] Full article

2 pages, 370 KB

Open AccessCommunication

Zum Hinschied von Prof. Dr. Med. Alfred Bollinger (1932–2015)

by Felix Mahler

Cardiovasc. Med. 2015, 18(6), 201; https://doi.org/10.4414/cvm.2015.00341 - 24 Jun 2015

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 9

Abstract

Am 3. April 2015 ist Alfred Bollinger, ehemaliger Leiter der Angiologie am UniversitätsSpital Zürich, im Alter von 83 Jahren nach tapfer ertragener Tumorkrankheit gestorben [...] Full article

3 pages, 1657 KB

Open AccessInteresting Images

Das Paradoxe EKG

by Dimitri Patriki and David Altmann

Cardiovasc. Med. 2015, 18(6), 198; https://doi.org/10.4414/cvm.2015.00338 - 24 Jun 2015

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 12

Abstract

Ein 18-jähriger, kreislaufstabiler Patient stellt sich mit einer Breitkomplextachykardie auf der Notfallstation vor [...] Full article

3 pages, 3193 KB

Open AccessInteresting Images

Recurrent Tachycardia During Pacemaker Interrogation

by Tobias Reichlin, Michael Kühne, Beat Schär and Christian Sticherling

Cardiovasc. Med. 2015, 18(6), 195; https://doi.org/10.4414/cvm.2015.00336 - 24 Jun 2015

Viewed by 12

Abstract

A 76-year-old man was seen in the pacemaker clinic for routine follow-up [...] Full article

4 pages, 266 KB

Open AccessCase Report

Exercise-Induced Syncope—Not Always Due to the Worst Cause

by Julien Regamey, Karin Seiler, Thilo Burkard and Michael Kühne

Cardiovasc. Med. 2015, 18(6), 191; https://doi.org/10.4414/cvm.2015.00335 - 24 Jun 2015

Viewed by 10

Abstract

We report the case of a healthy 16-year-old ballet dancer with a history of three episodes of syncope during physical activity as the manifestation of an exercise-induced vasodepressor syncope. This diagnosis may be hard to demonstrate in clinical practice because of the potential [...] Read more.

We report the case of a healthy 16-year-old ballet dancer with a history of three episodes of syncope during physical activity as the manifestation of an exercise-induced vasodepressor syncope. This diagnosis may be hard to demonstrate in clinical practice because of the potential poor reproducibility of the exercise test to provoke hypotension. Although most of the potentially fatal causes of exercise-induced syncope are usually well known and have a well-defined standard of care based on guidelines, vasodepressor type reflex syncope has only been described in a few case reports. The main mechanism seems to be an inappropriate peripheral vasodilation, which could be triggered by the activation of intraventricular mechanoreceptors sensitised by high circulating catecholamines in susceptible individuals. Full article

5 pages, 869 KB

Open AccessCase Report

Pulmonary Valve Stenosis Due to Undifferentiated Pleomorphic Sarcoma

by Panagiotis Antiochos, Pierre Monney, Salah Dine Qanadli, Leopold Schlueter, Samuel Rotman, Emilienne Descloux, Lars Niclauss, Michel Hurni and Olivier Muller

Cardiovasc. Med. 2015, 18(6), 186; https://doi.org/10.4414/cvm.2015.00333 - 24 Jun 2015

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 7

Abstract

Pulmonary artery sarcomas are uncommon intracardiac tumours with poor prognosis. We report the case of a 69-year-old woman in good health presenting with rapidly progressive dyspnoea and an unfamiliar systolic murmur. Echocardiography revealed pulmonary valve stenosis due to an obstructing mobile mass. Imaging [...] Read more.

Pulmonary artery sarcomas are uncommon intracardiac tumours with poor prognosis. We report the case of a 69-year-old woman in good health presenting with rapidly progressive dyspnoea and an unfamiliar systolic murmur. Echocardiography revealed pulmonary valve stenosis due to an obstructing mobile mass. Imaging studies confirmed the presence of a contrast-enhancing lesion adherent to the valve, extending into the pulmonary trunk and right ventricular outflow tract, and suggestive of malignancy. Endovascular biopsy was attempted with no success. Surgical resection with autologous graft valve replacement and pulmonary artery reconstruction was performed. Postoperative histological examination confirmed the diagnosis of an undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma. Pulmonary artery sarcoma should be considered as a rare differential diagnosis in patients presenting with dyspnoea and a crescendo–decrescendo systolic murmur increasing with inspiration. Echocardiography is a useful first diagnostic approach but multi-imaging assessment is almost always necessary for definite diagnosis. Our case provides insights into the challenges met by cardiologists, radiologists and cardiac surgeons in the management of such cases. Full article

5 pages, 268 KB

Open AccessReview

Current Aspects of Atrial Fibrillation Surgery

by Christoph T. Starck, Jan Steffel, Tomas Holubec and Volkmar Falk

Cardiovasc. Med. 2015, 18(6), 181; https://doi.org/10.4414/cvm.2015.00334 - 24 Jun 2015

Viewed by 10

Abstract

Atrial fibrillation is the most common cardiac arrhythmia, with an increasing prevalence with rising age. Atrial fibrillation is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Concomitant surgical ablation of atrial fibrillation in patients undergoing other cardiac surgical procedures is commonly practiced, with high success [...] Read more.

Atrial fibrillation is the most common cardiac arrhythmia, with an increasing prevalence with rising age. Atrial fibrillation is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Concomitant surgical ablation of atrial fibrillation in patients undergoing other cardiac surgical procedures is commonly practiced, with high success rates, short procedure times and a low additional operative risk profile. Minimally invasive stand-alone surgical procedures for atrial fibrillation are performed less frequently, even though they represent a valid therapeutic option for certain patients, with excellent results. Surgical procedures for atrial fibrillation treatment allow the excision or exclusion of the left atrial appendage, therefore eliminating a potential source of cerebral embolic events in the case of procedural failure to abolish atrial fibrillation. The hybrid approach, which combines the advantages of catheter and surgical ablation, is a promising approach for the future. This review focuses on surgical options in the curative treatment of atrial fibrillation. Full article

Journal Menu

Journal Browser

Cardiovasc. Med., Volume 18, Issue 6 (06 2015) – 8 articles

Further Information

Guidelines

MDPI Initiatives

Follow MDPI