Cardiovascular Medicine

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A Forgotten Prosthesis in a Forgotten Valve: A Surprising Case Report

by Jessy Steve Masso-Bueso, David Jacobo Sánchez-Amaya and Oscar Andrés Pérez-Orpinel

Cardiovasc. Med. 2024, 27(2), 63; https://doi.org/10.4414/cvm.2024.1373944239 - 27 Mar 2024

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The development of prosthetic heart valves has allowed to drastically improve the quality of life and the life expectancy in patients who would otherwise have succumbed to the inevitable course of the disease. While prosthetic heart valves are invaluable resources in therapy, they [...] Read more.

The development of prosthetic heart valves has allowed to drastically improve the quality of life and the life expectancy in patients who would otherwise have succumbed to the inevitable course of the disease. While prosthetic heart valves are invaluable resources in therapy, they are not devoid of possible complications, some inherent to the prosthesis itself (structural damage, thrombosis, etc.), others related to the patient (e.g., thrombophilia, non-adherence to medication). The case of a patient is presented whose findings are surprising and show that there is always an exception to the rule. Full article

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5 pages, 438 KB

Open AccessCase Report

Palpitations in the Young during Stress Episodes

by Linn Ryberg, Norma Balderrábano-Saucedo and Argelia Medeiros-Domingo

Cardiovasc. Med. 2024, 27(2), 58; https://doi.org/10.4414/cvm.2024.1297024900 - 27 Mar 2024

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Abstract

Catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia (CPVT) is a fatal rare inherited cardiac channelopathy. Affected patients are susceptible to develop deadly ventricular arrythmias after physical or emotional stress. The typical arrhythmia presents as bidirectional and/or polymorphic ventricular tachycardias. To illustrate the clinical challenges in properly [...] Read more.

Catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia (CPVT) is a fatal rare inherited cardiac channelopathy. Affected patients are susceptible to develop deadly ventricular arrythmias after physical or emotional stress. The typical arrhythmia presents as bidirectional and/or polymorphic ventricular tachycardias. To illustrate the clinical challenges in properly diagnosing this disease, we report two cases of CPVT together with a brief literature review. Full article

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3 pages, 549 KB

Open AccessCase Report

Complete Heart Block without Ventricular Escape Rhythm during Left Ventriculography

by Peter Laurenz Dietrich, Silvan Meier and Raban Jeger

Cardiovasc. Med. 2024, 27(2), 55; https://doi.org/10.4414/cvm.2024.1338832878 - 27 Mar 2024

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Abstract

Complete heart block (CHB) is a rare complication during left ventriculography. We present a case of transient CHB without ventricular escape rhythm in a patient with an incomplete trifascicular block. Full article

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3 pages, 278 KB

Open AccessCase Report

Not All Statins Are Equal–Environmental and Genetic Myotoxicity Risk Factors

by Anna Katharina Schmid, Victor Voicu, Sarah Parejo, Franziska M. Jakobs, David F. Niedrig, Sandro Baumgartner, Markus Béchir and Stefan Russmann

Cardiovasc. Med. 2024, 27(2), 52; https://doi.org/10.4414/cvm.2024.1327305240 - 27 Mar 2024

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Abstract

Dose-dependent statin-related myotoxicity (SRM) is a rare adverse effect of statin treatment. Differences in the pharmacokinetics and interactions with environmental and genetic factors constitute important risk factors for the development of SRM. We present the case of an 82-year-old female patient with severe [...] Read more.

Dose-dependent statin-related myotoxicity (SRM) is a rare adverse effect of statin treatment. Differences in the pharmacokinetics and interactions with environmental and genetic factors constitute important risk factors for the development of SRM. We present the case of an 82-year-old female patient with severe simvastatin-related myotoxicity and several risk factors of SRM, namely a pharmacokinetic interaction with verapamil, a pharmacogenetic interaction with a SLCO1B1*1/*5 variant, high age, female gender and impaired renal function. A comprehensive evaluation of distinct pharmacokinetic and pharmacogenetic properties of different statins and a pharmacogenetic panel test guided the diagnosis and options for further clinical management. Inspired by this and other similar cases, we developed a pocket card as practical companion for statin prescribing in clinical practice and provide it as an addition to this report. Full article

5 pages, 458 KB

Open AccessArticle

Is Dental Clearance before Cardiac Surgery Necessary?

by Mevlüt Çelik, Maria Nucera, Fabio Pregaldini, Clarence Pingpoh, Thomas Pilgrim, Matthias Siepe and David Reineke

Cardiovasc. Med. 2024, 27(2), 47; https://doi.org/10.4414/cvm.2024.1356564558 - 27 Mar 2024

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Abstract

Background: Dental clearance is routinely performed before cardiac surgery, as it is thought to be essential in reducing postoperative bacteremia and endocarditis. However, there is a lack of evidence supporting this routine. Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the impact of dental clearance [...] Read more.

Background: Dental clearance is routinely performed before cardiac surgery, as it is thought to be essential in reducing postoperative bacteremia and endocarditis. However, there is a lack of evidence supporting this routine. Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the impact of dental clearance on postoperative outcomes after cardiac surgery. Methods: This is a comprehensive review and analysis of relevant studies published between 1 January 1990 and 1 January 2023 in two electronic databases (PubMed and EMBASE). Pooled estimates in terms of relative risk (RR) or standardized mean difference were calculated according to outcome measures. Risk of bias and quality of studies were evaluated. A total of 7040 articles were found through the MEDLINE, EMBASE and Cochrane databases. Five articles were found to be eligible for inclusion in this review. Results: There is no statistically significant benefit of preoperative dental clearance in terms of postoperative outcomes, including all-cause mortality (RR 0.92, 95% Confidence Interval [CI] 0.43–1.97), prosthetic valve endocarditis (RR 1.32, 95% CI 0.51–3.43), postsurgical infection (RR 1.02, 95% CI 0.77–1.36), and length of hospital stay (weighted mean difference 4.00, 95% CI −2.70–10.70). Conclusions: Although the literature emphasizes the importance of preoperative dental clearance, no significant effect was seen with respect to all-cause mortality, infection, endocarditis, and length of hospital stay. Full article

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6 pages, 576 KB

Open AccessReview

Pulsed Field Ablation for the Treatment of Atrial Fibrillation

by Alexander Breitenstein, Laurent Roten and Tobias Reichlin

Cardiovasc. Med. 2024, 27(2), 41; https://doi.org/10.4414/cvm.2024.1297020794 - 27 Mar 2024

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Abstract

Atrial fibrillation (AF) has become the most common arrhythmia worldwide and its incidence is increasing. Treatment strategies for symptomatic patients include stroke prevention, management of cardiovascular comorbidities, and direct treatment of AF itself. With regard to interventional AF treatment, a novel technique called [...] Read more.

Atrial fibrillation (AF) has become the most common arrhythmia worldwide and its incidence is increasing. Treatment strategies for symptomatic patients include stroke prevention, management of cardiovascular comorbidities, and direct treatment of AF itself. With regard to interventional AF treatment, a novel technique called pulsed field ablation has emerged. Large registry data in more than 15,000 patients have demonstrated a high efficacy in reducing the burden of AF with a very high safety. This review provides an overview of the technical aspects of pulsed field ablation and the published clinical data. Full article

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1 pages, 75 KB

Open AccessEditorial

A New Surgical Section and More

by Peter Matt

Cardiovasc. Med. 2024, 27(2), 33; https://doi.org/10.4414/cvm.2024.1324052009 - 27 Mar 2024

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Abstract

Are you interested in a new section in Cardio vascular Medicine focusing on cardiac surgery [...] Full article

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Cardiovasc. Med., Volume 27, Issue 2 (03 2024) – 7 articles

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