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Query: UMLS:C0018799 (heart disease)
 34,133 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

The media's frenzy towards the imaging capabilities of 64-slice cardiac computed tomography (CCT) is not without cause. CCT allows non-invasive visualization of the coronary arteries, coronary artery bypass grafts, and the presence of atherosclerosis. CCT is not limited to the assessment of coronary vasculature, but can yield information about other causes of chest pain such as aortic dissection, or pericardial disease. Other applications for the high resolution scanner include anatomical assessment of congenital heart disease, post myocardial infarction complications, pulmonary embolism and aortic and peripheral arterial atherosclerosis and aneurysm evaluation. Finally, non-contrast CCT allows for quantification of coronary calcification which provides important prognostic information. As CT technology evolves, it is paramount for clinicians to understand when it is clinically appropriate to use CT coronary angiography (CTCA).
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PMID:Assessing cardiac CT--advantages & current limitations. Part II: Clinical utility. 1863 Mar 11

Significant hypoxemia can result from right-to-left intracardiac shunting through a patent foramen ovale, an atrial septal defect or a ventricular septal defect. Pulmonary embolus, congenital heart disease and pericardial tamponade are well-recognized causes of right-to-left shunting. However, right-to-left shunting can also follow pericardiocentesis. A case of profound hypoxemia caused by right ventricular hypokinesis precipitated by pericardial tap is reported. This under-recognized entity can be responsible for significant morbidity in the critical care setting. The clinical presentation, natural history, diagnosis and treatment of hypoxemia caused by intracardiac shunt following pericardiocentesis are discussed.
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PMID:Intracardiac shunt with hypoxemia caused by right ventricular dysfunction following pericardiocentesis. 1878 27

Thrombus formation can be a significant cause for morbidity and mortality after Fontan operation. Intracardiac thrombus formation can lead to chronic pulmonary embolic disease if formed on the right side, or stroke, if on the left side of the heart. Right-sided embolism may result in ventilation/perfusion mismatch or elevation of pulmonary vascular resistance, both of which may seriously hamper cavopulmonary physiology. We report the case of a 22-year-old patient, with past history of classic Fontan procedure performed at the age of six to palliate a single-ventricle tricuspid atresia, who presented with a massive pulmonary embolism and hemodynamic instability. Due to his critical status, mechanical fragmentation of the clot using the angiography catheter was started, followed by a local catheter-directed infusion of urokinase. This case demonstrated that pharmacomechanical thrombolysis therapy with a standard Pig-tail catheter and thrombolytic therapy with urokinase is secure, effective, and appropriated to manage heart chamber and pulmonary arterial thrombosis in patients with congenital heart disease.
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PMID:Late complication of classic Fontan operation: giant right atrial thrombus and massive pulmonary thromboembolism. 1901 11

Patients with liver cirrhosis are characterized by decreased synthesis of both pro- and anticoagulant factors, and recently there has been evidence of normal generation of thrombin resulting in a near normal haemostatic balance. Although it is generally recognized that bleeding is the most common clinical manifestation as a result of decreased platelet function and number, diminished clotting factors and excessive fibrinolysis, hypercoagulability may play an under recognized but important role in many aspects of chronic liver disease. In fact, they can encounter thrombotic complications such as portal vein thrombosis, occlusion of small intrahepatic vein branches and deep vein thrombosis (DVT). In particular, patients with cirrhosis appear to have a higher incidence of unprovoked DVT and pulmonary embolism (PE) compared with the general population. In dedicated studies, the incidence of DVT/PE ranges from 0.5% to 1.9%, similar to patients without comorbidities, but lower than patients with other chronic diseases (i.e, renal or heart disease). Surprisingly, standard coagulation laboratory parameters are not associated with a risk of developing DVT/PE; however, with multivariate analysis, serum albumin level was independently associated with the occurrence of thrombosis. Moreover, patients with chronic liver disease share the same risk factors as the general population for DVT/PE, and specifically, liver resection can unbalance the haemostatic equilibrium towards a hypercoagulable state. Current guidelines on antithrombotic prophylaxis do not specifically comment on the cirrhotic population as a result of the perceived risk of bleeding complications but the cirrhotic patient should not be considered as an auto-anticoagulated patient. Therefore, thromboprophylaxis should be recommended in patients with liver cirrhosis at least when exposed to high-risk conditions for thrombotic complications. Low molecular weight heparins (LWMHs) seem to be relatively safe in this group of patients; however, when important risk factors for bleeding are present, graduated compression stockings or intermittent pneumatic compression should be considered.
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PMID:Should we give thromboprophylaxis to patients with liver cirrhosis and coagulopathy? 1981 8

It is suggested that transesophageal echocardiography (TEE), by detecting thromboemboli in the proximal parts of the pulmonary arteries, is useful in the diagnosis of pulmonary embolism. However, the data on visualization of the pulmonary arteries are limited. The extent of the pulmonary arteries that can be precisely visualized during biplane TEE was assessed in 51 consecutive patients (23 female, 28 male, aged 56.6+/-12.5 years) without structural heart disease. The main pulmonary artery and the right pulmonary artery were detected in 96.1% and 94.1% of patients, respectively. Although the proximal part of the left pulmonary artery was found in only 47.0% of patients, its distal part was visualized in 92.2%. During TEE, proximal parts of the lobar arteries on both sides were visualized in 88.2% of patients. Thus, the central pulmonary arteries including proximal parts of the lobar branches can be precisely visualized by biplane TEE in the majority of patients. Only the proximal part of the left pulmonary artery is difficult to assess.
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PMID:Visualization of the central pulmonary arteries by biplane transesophageal echocardiography. 2042 60

Growth differentiation factor-15 (GDF-15) is a cytokine with cardioprotective properties, which inhibits hypertrophy, cardiac remodeling and apoptosis. Participates in the life and cell death. The concentration of GDF-15 rapidly increases under the influence of ischemia-reperfusion damage to heart muscle, oxidative stress, inflammatory cytokines and pressure overload. In patients with acute coronary syndromes, heart failure and pulmonary embolism provides independent prognostic information, both short-and long-term. It is potentially a new marker of risk stratification in patients with heart disease and therapeutic decision making.
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PMID:[Growth differentiation factor 15--a new marker in heart diseases]. 2064 7

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is an effective rescue method for severe respiratory and cardiac failure. Right ventricular (RV) failure with cardiogenic shock is a critical condition with generally poor prognosis unless aggressive therapeutical measures are undertaken. Authors report on their initial experience with ECMO support in severe RV failure with cardiogenic shock caused by an obstructive hemodynamic pattern. Four patients with cardiogenic shock due to severe RV failure related to pulmonary arterial hypertension (2 patients), congenital heart disease with Eisenmenger physiology (1 subject) and massive pulmonary embolism (1 patient) were supported with emergency veno-arterial ECMO. ECMO circuit was instituted using peripheral cannulation in all subjects. Immediate hemodynamic and ventilatory improvement was observed in all patients. The mean support duration was 11 days (range 5-16 days), 2 (50%) patients were successfully weaned off ECMO and survived to hospital discharge. The other 2 patients were considered by mutual consensus to have irreversible organ damage, the ECMO support was withdrawn and the patients died. Bleeding complications were the main complications observed. As per initial experience, veno-arterial ECMO allows bypassing of the pulmonary bed, therefore, relieves the RV pressure overload and does not cause further elevation of the pulmonary pressures in contrary to RV assist devices. This aggressive management approach requires further clinical evaluation in order to establish its definite role in critical RV failure.
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PMID:Veno-arterial ECMO in severe acute right ventricular failure with pulmonary obstructive hemodynamic pattern. 2067 73

A 28-year-old Cambodian man with a history of congenital heart disease presented with a 6-month history of increasing fatigue, night sweats, and weight loss. His surgical history included two Blalock-Taussig shunts, ventricular septal defect closure, and placement of a pulmonary valve conduit via a Rastelli procedure. Echocardiographic and cardiac computed tomographic studies revealed a vegetation in the pulmonary homograft. Blood cultures grew gram-negative rods that were eventually identified as Suttonella indologenes. The patient underwent a prolonged course of intravenous antibiotics, which was complicated by septic pulmonary embolism that clinically resolved. Bacterial endocarditis caused by aerobic gram-negative organisms is uncommon. The authors report the first case of S. indologenes endocarditis in a patient with complex congenital heart disease.
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PMID:Pulmonary embolus caused by Suttonella indologenes prosthetic endocarditis in a pulmonary homograft. 2083 8

Anticoagulation for thromboembolic disease and bleeding, the main complication of anticoagulation therapy, are uncommon but are potentially life- or limb-threatening conditions that may present in the pediatric emergency department. Thromboembolic disease in children usually occurs as a complication of vascular access, primarily in children with congenital heart disease or cancer. However, complications of anticoagulation therapy used in the treatment of venous thromboembolism, pulmonary embolism, and blocked central venous catheter; arterial thromboembolism, including arterial ischemic stroke, Kawasaki disease, and after cardiac surgery, may warrant a visit to n the pediatric emergency department. Anticoagulation therapy may take the form of unfractionated heparin, low-molecular weight heparin, vitamin K antagonists, acetylsalicylic acid, or thrombolytic therapy. Monitoring anticoagulation therapy in children is very important and follows adult guidelines. Anticoagulant dosing may be adjusted based on activated partial thromboplastin time, anti-factor Xa level, and international normalized ratio.
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PMID:Anticoagulation therapy: indications, monitoring, and complications. 2120 60

Exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are considered to be episodes of instability that favor disease progression, reduce quality of life, increase the risk of death and cause substantial healthcare resource use. These exacerbations are due to bacterial and viral infections and environmental stressors. However, other concomitant diseases such as heart disease, other lung diseases (e.g. pulmonary embolism, aspiration or pneumothorax) and other systemic processes can trigger or complicate these exacerbations. The two factors with the greatest influence on the physiopathology of exacerbations are dynamic overinflation and local and systemic inflammation. In most patients, drug treatment includes short-acting bronchodilators, systemic corticosteroids and antibiotics. Hypoxemic respiratory failure requires controlled oxygen therapy. In hypercapnic respiratory failure, non-invasive positive pressure ventilation may allow time to be gained until other treatments begin to take effect and can thus avoid endotracheal intubation. The use of non-invasive mechanical ventilation should never delay intubation, if indicated. Hospital discharge criteria are based on both clinical and gasometric stabilization and on the patient's ability to manage his or her disease at home. Hospitalization at home can be a treatment option in COPD exacerbations and is as effective as conventional hospitalization.
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PMID:[Exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease]. 2131 46


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