Maintaining the Benefit of Cardiovascular Disease Prevention Programs: The Challenge for Future Generations

Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) account for 1 in every 3 deaths in the United States at an annual cost of $149 billion dollars or 17% of total medical expenditure. Over the next 20 years, the prevalence of CVD will increase by 10% with a 3-fold increase in cost. CVD has emerged as a leading cause for mortality in both males and females in the United States.

Concurrent Pulmonary and Cerebral Embolism: Is Tricuspid Valve Endocarditis the Culprit?

Pulmonary embolism (PE) is a relatively common complication of right side endocarditis. Sudden onset of a cryptogenic stroke during this condition is a suspicious clue for a paradoxical cerebral embolism. An unusual case of tricuspid endocarditis complicated by PE and massive ischemic stroke is reported. Transthoracic echocardiography and brain CT scan were the imaging techniques used to diagnose this rare condition.

The Novel Development of an Experimental Model of Dihydropyridine Calcium Channel Blocker Poisoning using Intravenous Amlodipine

Cardiovascular drug poisoning remains a leading cause of fatality. Within this class, calcium channel blockers(CCBs) account for the majority of deaths. CCBs are typically categorized as dihydropyridines (i.e. amlodipine or nifedipine) versus the non-dihydropyridine (i.e. verapamil and diltiazem) which are the most potent and once considered the CCB type responsible for all CCB-related deaths. Most recently, dihydropyridine deaths have increased. While there are established models of nondihydropyridine poisoning there currently are no established experimental models of dihydropyridine poisoning.

Obese Patients: The Most Prone to Heart Disease, Yet the Least Benefiting from Cardiac Imaging and Treatment Technology

Morbid obesity seems to be spreading as an epidemic. With a prevalence of 10 %, it is the cause of many illnesses and co- morbidities, specifically heart disease. Most hospitals in the United States have neither the facilities nor the equipment to accommodate obese patients. This makes adequate care difficult to offer in some cases.

Observation of Left Ventriculography with a Single Left Coronary Injection via Unique Coronary-Cameral Fistulas

Coronary cameral fistulas are rare clinical findings in the routine angiographic examination. They usually drain into cardiac chambers with a small paths which lead to restricted opacification of the chambers. Herein, we presented a case of coronary cameral fistulas with unique multiple paths throughout rich microvascular mesh leading to complete opacification of left ventricle similar to standard ventriculographic study.

Coverage of Exposed Groin Vascular Grafts: Flaps for Different Situations–A Case Series

Groin is the commonest site of graft infections in vascular surgery. This is a potentially catastrophic situation and may lead to limb loss and even death. Management of exposed vascular grafts in the groin wound poses a challenge to the surgeon. Thorough debridement and early coverage of the exposed vascular graft with a flap salvages the limb and has long been recommended.

Self-Treatment Techniques in Patients with Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation and the Probable Influence of the Autonomic Nervous System

Self-treatment techniques in patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF) have seldom been described. It has been suggested that PAF attacks might be initiated by changes in the tonus of the autonomic nervous system. Our aim was to study patients’ measures to terminate PAF attacks and to evaluate the possible influence of the autonomic nervous system on start and stop mechanisms.