LV pacing as an alternative option to conventional RV pacing in a patient with tricuspid valve replacement.

Tricuspid regurgitation (TR) is a relatively common anomaly. In patients with tricuspid valve repair/replacement (TVR)the control of atrioventricular conduction irregularity can be demanding, given the unavailability for implantation of the right ventricular (RV) endocardial lead, which is not recommended in such cases because of the risk of lead fracture at the valve site and valve damage or failure. Thus, epicardial lead may be an option; it requires a surgical procedure and it is not preferred in patients with prior thoracotomy. Lead implantation via coronary sinus (CS) can be an alternative to conventional right ventricular pacing in this patient population.

Acenocoumarol Pharmacogenetic Dosing Algorithms and Their Application in Two Bulgarian Patients with Low Anticoagulant Requirements.

BACKGROUND: The anticoagulant therapy with acenocoumarol is generally associated with a high risk of bleeding and thromboembolic events. PURPOSE: We applied eight already existing acenocoumarol dosing algorithms to Bulgarian patients with low acenocoumarol dose requirements and investigated which of these algorithms would predict most precisely the dose anticoagulant. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two patients with Bulgarian origin were referred to the outpatient clinical laboratory of "St. Ekaterina" University Hospital for Cardiovascular Surgery and Cardiology, Sofia, Bulgaria. After obtaining written informed consent, both patients were genotyped for polymorphisms in genes for Cytochrome P450 2C9 (CYP2C9), Vitamin K epoxide reductase (VKORC1), Apolipoprotein E (APOE), and Cytochrome P450 4F2 (CYP4F2). RESULTS: All applied acenocoumarol dosing algorithms predicted relatively similar doses of coumarin anticoagulant in both patients. However, van Schie et al.'s algorithm allowed more accurate calculation of the optimal dose in our patients with extremely low acenocoumarol requirements. Genotyping of selected polymorphic variants in CYP2C9 and VKORC1 showed that both patients were compound heterozygotes for CYP2C9 (CYP2C9*2/*3) and homozygotes for both variants in VKORC1 (VKORC1 1173 T/T, and VKORC1-1639 A/A). This combination of genotypes suggested high sensitivity to acenocoumarol leading to the low anticoagulant dose requirements (0.25 and 1 mg/day, respectively) needed to reach the target International Normalized Ratio of 2.5-3.5. CONCLUSIONS: The genotyping of polymorphic variants in VKORC1 and CYP2C9, together with clinical and demographic parameters, can serve for more precise definition of the individual starting and maintenance doses of coumarin derivatives in each patient.

Endovascular repair of dissecting thoracic aortic aneurysm in a patient with Turner syndrome.

PURPOSE: To report a rare case of dissecting thoracic aortic aneurysm in a young patient with Turner syndrome owing to complete or partial monosomy of the X chromosome. CASE REPORT: A 22-year-old patient with Turner syndrome presented with a 2-month history of voice loss and dysphagia. Multislice computed tomography (MSCT) disclosed a large (53x75-mm) aneurysm with focal dissection affecting the distal part of the aortic arch and the proximal descending aorta, partially involving the left subclavian artery. A TAG endoprosthesis was implanted without complications. MSCT scans at 3 and 6 months after the procedure showed good position and patency of the stent-graft, with total exclusion and shrinkage of the aneurysm. After 1 year of follow-up, she is doing well, without voice disturbances or dysphagia. CONCLUSION: Although cardiovascular malformations are common in patients with Turner syndrome, dissecting thoracic aortic aneurysm is unusual. Stent-graft repair would appear to be feasible in this situation, but long-term implantation in young patients has not been explored.