Cardiovascular Medicine

5 pages, 180 KB

Open AccessCommunication

55. Jahreskongress des American College of Cardiology (ACC) in Atlanta, Georgia, USA, März 2006 Enoxaparin, Fondaparinux oder UFH?

by Thomas Ferber

Cardiovasc. Med. 2006, 9(5), 201; https://doi.org/10.4414/cvm.2006.01173 - 31 May 2006

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Abstract

Die antithrombotische Behandlung hat sich als wichtige Stütze bei der Therapie akuter Koronarsyndrome etabliert [...] Full article

3 pages, 772 KB

Open AccessInteresting Images

Single Coronary Artery Originating from the Right Sinus Valsalva

by Jasmina Alibegovic, Taoufik Hendiri, Dominique Didier and Edoardo Camenzind

Cardiovasc. Med. 2006, 9(5), 198; https://doi.org/10.4414/cvm.2006.01171 - 31 May 2006

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Abstract

Anomalous origin of coronary arteries represents a rare anomaly affecting around 1% of the population out of which the aberrant origin of the left main stem is its rarest form. Clinically it may cause recurrent ischaemia, heart failure or sudden death. There are four anatomical variants of this malformation classified according to the course of the main stem. Coronary angiography is the golden standard to visualise both, the course and the lumen of the vessel. In certain cases its proximal course can be also visualised by other complementary methods like multislice beam computed tomography or magnetic resonance. In this case presenting with signs of heart failure and chest pain, we were able to show the presence of a single coronary artery originating from the right sinus of Valsalva with a main stem course anterior to the right ventricular outflow tract, using both visualisation methods, coronary angiography and 16-detector row gated CT angiography. CT allowed a clear visualisation of the angulated take-off of the single vessel trunk, probably involved in pathogenesis of the clinical picture. Full article

1 pages, 227 KB

Open AccessInteresting Images

Une «Tachycardie Sinusale» Persistante

by Juan Sztajzel

Cardiovasc. Med. 2006, 9(5), 197; https://doi.org/10.4414/cvm.2006.01172 - 31 May 2006

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Abstract

Patiente de 78 ans, adressée par son médecin traitant pour une «tachycardie sinusale» présente depuis plusieurs semaines [...] Full article

9 pages, 706 KB

Open AccessArticle

Utility of Echocardiography for Tailoring Cardiac Resynchronisation Therapy

by Haran Burri and René Lerch

Cardiovasc. Med. 2006, 9(5), 188; https://doi.org/10.4414/cvm.2006.01175 - 31 May 2006

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Abstract

Cardiac resynchronisation therapy may lead to remarkable improvement in clinical status in selected patients with heart failure. However, approximately 20% of patients may not respond to this treatment. A major challenge lies in reducing the number of non-responders. Echocardiography has been the focus of growing interest for improving patient selection as well as for device optimisation. This article reviews the current state of the art of assessment of dyssynchrony by echocardiography, and overviews practical aspects of the technique. Full article

5 pages, 235 KB

Open AccessProceeding Paper

Kardiale Resynchronisationstherapie (CRT): Mit Oder Ohne ICD-Back-Up?

by Martin Coenen and Christian Sticherling

Cardiovasc. Med. 2006, 9(5), 182; https://doi.org/10.4414/cvm.2006.01176 - 31 May 2006

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Abstract

The incidence of heart failure is increasing and patients are threatened to die of pump failure as well as of sudden cardiac death (SCD). Lately, cardiac resynchronisation therapy (CRT) has been introduced to treat patients with persistent heart failure and dyssynchronous left ventricular activation evidenced by complete left bundle branch block in the ECG. The COMPANION trial demonstrated, that in patients with an EF <0.35, NYHA class III or IV, and complete left bundle branch block, CRT with and without implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) back-up reduced the combined endpoint of mortality and hospitalisation. A reduction in total mortality could only be achieved by the use of CRT-ICD. The CAREHF trial randomised similar patients to CRT or medical treatment. The secondary endpoint of death from all causes was reached by significantly fewer patients in the CRT group. However, approximately one third of the deaths was attributable to SCD. To date, there is no trial available comparing the effects of CRT and CRT-ICD on total mortality as a primary endpoint. Apart from the results of the COMPANION trial, several conclusions can be drawn from primary prevention trials in the general ICD population. The SCD-HeFT trial showed a significant mortality reduction in patients with an LVEF 90.35 who received an ICD for primary prevention as compared to placebo and amiodarone. After successful treatment with CRT, the mean LVEF improved from 0.25 to 0.32 in the CARE-HF trial. The majority of patients would therefore continue to fulfil the criteria for ICD-implantation according to the SCDHeFT trial. SCD-HeFT also showed a mortality reduction in patients with NYHA class II but not in those with NYHA class III. It is conceivable, that CRT can change the mode of death from pump failure to SCD. To date, the available data indicate, that an ICD-back-up should at least be considered in every patient eligible for CRT therapy. Full article

4 pages, 668 KB

Open AccessEditorial

Stammzelltherapie in der Kardiologie: Der Ersehnte Jungbrunnen Oder Falsche Hoffnung?

by Thomas F. Lüscher and Roberto Corti

Cardiovasc. Med. 2006, 9(5), 177; https://doi.org/10.4414/cvm.2006.01174 - 31 May 2006

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Abstract

Der Traum von der Unsterblichkeit hat das Denken der Menschen von Anbeginn beherrscht. Der durch Krankheit und Alter bedingte Verfall [...] Full article

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Cardiovasc. Med., Volume 9, Issue 5 (05 2006) – 6 articles

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