Successful Percutaneous Coronary Intervention in a Patient With Absent Right Coronary Artery Ostium: A Case Report and Literature Review.

Coronary artery anomalies present unique interventional challenges, particularly when associated with significant coronary artery disease. This case report contributes to the limited literature on congenital coronary artery anomalies, emphasizing the need for tailored approaches to optimize patient care. We present a case of a 70-year-old male with refractory angina and a rare congenital coronary anomaly characterized by the absence of the right coronary artery ostium, necessitating reliance on the left coronary system for myocardial perfusion. Cardiac catheterization revealed mid-left anterior descending artery stenosis, prompting percutaneous coronary intervention. Despite the anatomical complexities encountered, the procedure was successfully performed. This case underscores the importance of meticulous diagnostic evaluation, advanced imaging techniques, and a multidisciplinary approach to managing patients with rare coronary anomalies. This report also emphasizes the unique diagnostic and therapeutic considerations by providing a comprehensive literature review and identifying areas for further research to advance treatment strategies and improve outcomes.

Myocardial Bridging of Mid-left Anterior Descending Artery (LAD) Presenting As Transient Left Bundle Branch Block During Nuclear Stress Test.

Transient left bundle branch block occurring during a nuclear stress test in the setting of myocardial bridging is a relatively rare finding. We report a case of a 75-year-old male who presented with typical stable angina. Serial troponins were negative, and the electrocardiogram revealed normal sinus rhythm with left ventricular hypertrophy and T-wave inversions in the lateral leads. The nuclear stress test was non-ischemic but showed a transient left bundle branch block associated with chest pain and shortness of breath that occurred right after the administration of regadenoson. Coronary angiography revealed non-obstructive coronary artery disease and a mid-LAD myocardial bridge.

Lacosamide-Related Arrhythmias: A Systematic Analysis and Review of the Literature.

Lacosamide (LCM) is a new antiepileptic drug used as an adjunctive treatment for partial seizures with and without secondary generalization. One of the modes of action is the enhancement of slow inactivation of voltage-gated sodium channels. Experimental studies and clinical trials suggest that LCM acts upon both neurons and the heart and may increase the risk of cardiac arrhythmias. A systematic review was conducted to investigate characteristics of arrhythmias related to the use of LCM for the treatment of seizures. The search terms "lacosamide", "arrhythmias", "AV block", "atrial fibrillations/flutter", "cardiac conductions defects", "ventricular tachycardia", "ventricular fibrillation were used. Case reports and retrospective studies were gathered by searching Medline/PubMed, Google Scholar, CINAHL (Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature), Cochrane CENTRAL (Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials), and Web of Science databases. Seventeen articles were selected for review. Ventricular tachycardia was the most reported LCM related arrhythmia (29.4%), followed by new-onset atrial fibrillation (17.6%), complete heart block (17.6%), Mobitz type 1 Atrio-ventricular block (11.8%), sinus pauses (11.8%), pulseless electrical activity (5.9%) and widening QRS complex (5.9%). Further research and clinical trials are needed to explore the etiopathogenesis and causative relationship between the use of LCM and arrhythmias.

Presentation and Management of Inferior Vena Cava Thrombosis.

BACKGROUND: Inferior vena cava thrombosis (IVCT), although rare, has a potential for significant morbidity and mortality. IVCT is often a result of IVC filter thrombosis, but it can also occur de novo. Although anticoagulation remains the standard of care, endovascular techniques to restore IVC patency have become key adjunctive therapies in recent years. This study examines a single-center experience with diagnosis and management of IVCT. METHODS: A retrospective Institutional Review Board-approved review of a single-center institutional database was screened to identify IVCT thrombosis using International Classification of Diseases code 453.2 over a 3-year period. Etiology of IVCT was separated into 2 groups: those with IVC thrombosis in the setting of prior IVC filter place and those in whom IVCT occurred de novo. Patient demographics, presenting characteristics, and management of IVCT were examined. Treatment options included expectant management with anticoagulation versus catheter-directed thrombolysis (CDT), mechanical thrombectomy, stenting, or a combination. For those who underwent intervention, technical success, defined as restoration of IVC patency, was assessed. RESULTS: Forty-one unique patients were identified with radiographically confirmed diagnosis of ICVT (mean age 61, range 25-91; 21 female, 51.2%). Eighteen (43.9%) patients presented with thrombosed IVC filter. Risk factors for venous thromboembolism included tobacco usage, current or prior smoking (n = 17, 41.5%), history of prior deep vein thrombosis (n = 25, 61.0%), malignancy (n = 17, 41.5%), use of hormonal supplements (n = 3, 7.3%), known thrombophilia (n = 4, 9.8%), and obesity (body mass index: mean 29, range 18.8-58.53). Eleven patients (26.8%) presented with pulmonary embolism (PE), and of those 63.6% had IVC filter thrombosis (n = 7). Risk of PE was not significantly different between those patients presenting with a thrombosed IVC filter compared to those with de novo IVCT (38.9% vs. 17.4%, P = 0.12) Management of IVCT included anticoagulation alone (n = 27, 65.9%), CDT (n = 5, 12.2%), mechanical thrombolysis (n = 10, 24.4%), and adjunctive IVC stent (n = 3, 7.3%). Among the 14 (34.1%) patients who had intervention for IVCT, patency was restored in 12 patients (85.7%). CONCLUSIONS: IVCT is a rare event and is associated with known risk factors for venous thromboembolism. PE can occur in roughly 25% of patients presenting with IVCT. Presence of a filter does not appear to confer an advantage in preventing PE when IVCT occurs. Although majority of IVCT is managed with anticoagulation alone, endovascular interventions, including lysis and stenting, can safely restore patency in most properly selected patients.

Mean platelet volume reproducibility and association with platelet activity and anti-platelet therapy.

Some studies suggest that mean platelet volume (MPV) correlates with increased risk for cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. In this study, we aim to assess reproducibility, need for standardized measurements, effect of aspirin, and association with other established markers of platelet activity. Following an overnight fast, 48 healthy volunteers had weekly assessment of platelet activity and were administered aspirin 81 mg daily for 7 d between weeks 3 and 4. We investigated the influence of time between phlebotomy and MPV measurement (n=10). Reproducibility was assessed by coefficient of variation (CV) and intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). MPV measurements were reproducible (Week 1: 10.6 fL [9.9-11], Week 2: 10.6 fL [10.0-10.9], Week 3: 10.6 fL [9.8-11]). CV was ≤ 4% and ICC>0.85 (p<0.001) for each comparison, indicating excellent reproducibility. There was no effect of aspirin on MPV (10.6 fL [9.8-11] versus 10.5 fL [9.9-11]; p=0.81). MPV significantly increased as time between phlebotomy and MPV measurement increased (Spearman's rho=0.94, p=0.001). Increasing MPV tertiles was associated with collagen- and thrombin receptor-activated peptide-induced platelet aggregation but not with ADP- or arachidonic acid-induced or spontaneous platelet aggregation. In conclusion, when standardized, MPV is a reproducible marker of platelet size and not affected by low-dose aspirin. MPV is modestly associated with some, but not all, markers of platelet activity.