TITLE: Comparison of Abciximab and Eptifibatide on Angiographic and Clinical Outcomes in Rescue Percutaneous Coronary Intervention for Failed Fibrinolytic Therapy

FULL TITLE: Percutaneous Transluminal Dilatation of Inadvertent Partial or Complete Occlusion of the Femoral Artery Caused by Angio-Seal™ Deployment for Puncture Site Closure After Cardiac Catheterization

J INVASIVE CARDIOL 2010;22:358–359

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Vascular closure devices (VCDs) were developed in the mid-1990s to provide more effective hemostasis for femoral artery access sites, largely in response to the large-bore sheaths used for atherectomy devices and the emerging stent therapy requiring extensive anticoagulation.¹ These devices have undergone extensive modification improving their effectiveness and safety, with recent large single-center^2,3 and

ABSTRACT: Objective. We sought to describe the use of the TandemHeart percutaneous left ventricular assist device (PVAD) in a group of high-risk patients undergoing complex cardiovascular procedures. Background. There is a substantial risk of acute decompensation and death in patients with cardiogenic shock or a reduced cardiac reserve undergoing high-risk cardiovascular interventions. The TandemHeart PVAD provides near-total hemodynamic support in this setting. Methods. Thirty-seven high-risk patients underwent placement of the TandemHeart PVAD during 38 separate proc

ABSTRACT: 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), congeni

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Acute right ventricular (RV) failure is a major cause of morbidity and mortality, yet is largely ignored by clinical practice guidelines. In the setting of left-sided heart failure, inferior myocardial infarction, chronic lung disease, congenital heart disease or acute pulmonary embolus, concomitant RV dysfunction confers worse clinical outcomes.^1,2 Normal RV function is governed by pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR), systemic venous return, pericardial compliance and native contractility of both the RV free wall and interventricular septum. As compared to LV function, g

ABSTRACT: Objectives. To determine the optimal radial puncture point, we analyzed the anatomy and luminal diameter of the right radial artery (RA) by quantitative angiography. Background. Difficulty of radial puncture has impeded the establishment of the transradial approach as the standard procedure for cardiac catheterization. Methods. Antegrade angiography was performed from the right brachial artery in 135 patients who underwent coronary angiography. Presence and location of a bifurcation in the area of the RA puncture were analyzed. Furthermore, inner

ABSTRACT: The buddy wire is a useful technique for difficult-to-cross lesions that are typically identified by poor guide support, vessel tortuosity, calcification and/or prior stent placement. We present 5 cases of percutaneous coronary interventional success involving difficult-to-cross lesions using the “crooked buddy” technique, a unique combination of the Wiggle guidewire as the rail and an extra support guidewire as the buddy wire. From our experience, we recommend that when difficult-to-cross lesions are identified, moving quickly to the crooked buddy t

J INVASIVE CARDIOL 2010;22:382–384

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The Department of Health and Human Services’ (DHHS) Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is well known to Americans, as are their terms “FDA approval” and “off-label usage.” Unfortunately, the inappropriate usage of these terms has created confusion because of misinterpretation, which has damaged the doctor-patient relationship, as well as the incorrect conclusion that FDA approval enabled product use and insurance (Medicare) reimburs

J INVASIVE CARDIOL 2010;22:385

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We present the case of a 64-year-old male who underwent cardiac catheterization because of a positive stress test. No severe narrowings were visible in his left coronary system. His right coronary artery (RCA) (Figure 1) had two moderate narrowings located at the proximal and mid segments (arrowheads) and an image showing plaque ulceration at the distal segment. Evaluation with optical coherence tomography (OCT) of the RCA was proposed