Comparison between visual and computer-assisted analysis.

A new valved conduit was developed using a canine aortic valve. The bioprosthetic valve was fixed with glutaraldehyde and epoxy compound (Denacol-EX313/810). A vascular graft composed of ultra-fine polyester fiber (10 mm in diameter, 200 mm in length) was used. Four dogs underwent apico-aortic valved conduit (AAVC) implantation and aortic banding (bypass group, BG), while another 4 dogs underwent aortic banding without AAVC implantation (control group, CG). Cardiac catheterization and angiocardiography were performed for assessment of hemodynamics 2 weeks and 6 months after surgery. Left ventricular systolic pressure, left ventricular end-diastolic pressure and the left ventricular-aortic pressure gradient differed significantly (P<0.01) between the BG and CG dogs. Left ventricular angiocardiography showed patency of the valved conduit in all the BG dogs. Echocardiography was performed before and 2, 4 and 6 months after surgery, and showed that while pressure overload caused concentric myocardial hypertrophy in the CG dogs, the left ventricle dilated eccentrically in the BG dogs. Furthermore, relief of left ventricular pressure overload by AAVC was maintained.

Angiocardiography↗

PubMed2005

A new variant of aberrant left brachiocephalic trunk in mam: case report and literature review.

Importance is placed on aberrant arteries in the radiological and surgical literature. A normal left brachiocephalic trunk is characteristic for the right aortic arch. However, an aberrant left brachiocephalic trunk arising as the last branch of the aortic arch on the left side has not yet been described in the literature. Described here is a new variant of the retro-oesophageal aberrant left brachiocephalic trunk, occasionally observed in a patient during diagnostic investigation or surgical treatment for steno-obstructive involvement of the carotid district. The triple anomaly of the left aortic arch consisted of: 1. the presence of a hypoplastic left brachiocephalic trunk behind the oesophagus, 2. the absence of a brachiocephalic trunk on the right side and 3. separate origins of the arteries on the right side, with the right common artery preceding the right subclavian artery. In front of the trachea an 8-mm prosthetic PTFE was implanted from the proximal segment of the right subclavian artery to the junction of the left common carotid and left subclavian arteries. The author demonstrates the inadequacy of auxiliary investigations to detect aberrant arteries, which may only be identified precisely intra-operatively.

Angiocardiography↗

PubMed2005

[Atypical takotsubo cardiomyopathy with preservation of apical contraction: a case report including pathological findings].

A 60-year-old woman presented with sudden chest and back pain. Electrocardiography suggested anterior myocardial infarction but coronary angiography revealed no significant stenosis in the coronary artery. Left ventriculography revealed akinesis of the mid ventricle and preserved contraction of the apical wall. The clinical condition of atypical left ventricular akinesia was suggested to be the same as conventionally reported typical takotsubo cardiomyopathy. Repeated left ventriculography revealed the abnormal wall motion had disappeared. The findings of endomyocardial biopsy were compatible with takotsubo cardiomyopathy. Although the clinical presentation of the left ventricle is atypical, the pathological findings may be the same as typical takatsubo cardiomyopathy.

Angiocardiography↗