High incidence of renal artery stenosis in patients with coronary artery disease.

The incidence of renal artery stenosis (RAS) in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) has not been well documented. Over a 9-month period, 196 patients who underwent coronary angiography because of clinically suspected CAD had routine nonselective renal cine or digital subtraction angiography. There were 68 females and 128 males with a mean age of 63 years (range 35-85). Angiographically significant CAD was present in 152 patients (78%). Of the total patient cohort, 29 patients (15%) had mild RAS (< 50%), and 36 patients (18%) had significant RAS (> or = 50%). In patients with normal coronary arteries, only three patients (7%) had RAS. Thirty-three patients (92%) with severe RAS also had CAD. Of these 33 patients, 45% had hypertension, 30% had hyperlipidemia, 24% had diabetes mellitus, 24% had renal insufficiency (creatinine > or = 1.5), and 51% were smokers. In addition, it was noted that 20 of these patients (61%) had two or more of the above-listed clinical parameters. However, univariate analysis using the chi-square test revealed that only CAD (22% P < 0.03) and renal insufficiency (29% P < 0.15) were reliable clinical predictors of RAS. In conclusion, RAS is a frequent finding in patients with CAD, particularly when renal insufficiency is also present.

Ablation of left free-wall accessory pathways using radiofrequency energy at the atrial insertion site: transseptal versus transaortic approach.

INTRODUCTION: Transcatheter ablation of the left free-wall atrioventricular accessory pathways (AP) by delivery of radiofrequency current at the ventricular insertion site has been shown to be effective. The efficacy of such a technique targeting the atrial insertion site of the AP was evaluated. METHODS AND RESULTS: One hundred consecutive patients with left free-wall APs and symptomatic supraventricular tachyarrhythmias were included. APs were manifest in 55 patients and concealed in 45. There were 55 men and 45 women with a mean age of 35 years. A total of 107 left free-wall APs were identified in these patients. In these 100 patients, successful ablation was accomplished in all by using a transseptal (45 patients) or transaortic (54 patients) technique. In one patient, ablation was accomplished from within the coronary sinus. Seven patients required a repeat ablative procedure, which was performed successfully. During 107 ablative procedures, six were associated with nonfatal complications including pericardial effusion (hemopericardium) in two patients, mild mitral regurgitation in two patients, swelling of the left arm in one patient, and staphylococcal bacteremia in one patient. Eighty-two (82%) patients underwent a repeat electrophysiologic study 6 to 8 weeks after successful ablation and were found to have no functioning AP or inducible supraventricular tachycardia. During a mean follow-up of 20 +/- 8 months, none of the 100 patients had a recurrence of tachyarrhythmias. CONCLUSION: These data indicate that the atrial insertion site of the AP can be successfully ablated in the majority of patients with left free-wall APs by using either a transseptal or transaortic approach. Furthermore, both techniques are associated with minimal morbidity and no mortality.

Beta-adrenergic receptor blockade in the management of pregnant women with mitral stenosis.

Twenty-five pregnant women with symptomatic mitral valve stenosis (mean valve area, 1.1 +/- 0.25 cm2) were managed by initiation or modification of beta-adrenergic receptor blockade with the use of either propranolol or atenolol. Significant improvement of symptoms occurred in 23 patients (92%) (p less than 0.01); the mean maternal heart rate was reduced significantly from 86 +/- 4 to 78 +/- 5 beats/min (p less than 0.0001). The overall fetal heart rate ranged between 130 to 150 beats/min during treatment. Only two patients required urgent closed mitral valvotomy, after pulmonary edema developed as a result of poor compliance to beta-blockade. All patients were safely delivered of infants at term. Fetal heart rates ranged between 120 to 140 beats/min at delivery. There was no maternal or fetal death. Pregnant woman with symptomatic mitral valve stenosis can be safely managed with beta-blockade, giving significant reduction in the incidence of pulmonary edema with no unwanted neonatal side effect.