Percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty, alone or in combination with urokinase therapy, during acute myocardial infarction. (1/97)

To investigate the effect of pre-treatment of a thrombus with a low dose of urokinase on establishing patency in a persistent infarct-related artery (IRA) during direct percutaneous coronary angioplasty (PTCA), the frequency of acute restenosis during direct PTCA, alone, or in combination with the intracoronary administration of urokinase, was examined in a consecutive nonrandomized series of patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Two hundred and seventy-two successful PTCA patients (residual stenosis <50%) were divided into 2 groups: 88 patients received pre-treatment with intracoronary urokinase following PTCA (combination group); 184 received only direct PTCA without thrombolytic therapy (PTCA group). In the present study, after achievement of a residual stenosis of less than 50%, IRA was visualized every 15 min to assess the frequency of acute restenosis, which was defined as an acute progression of IRA with more than 75% restenosis after initially successful PTCA. In the patients with a large coronary thrombus, the frequency (times) of acute restenosis was significantly lower in the combination group than in the PTCA group (0.98+/-0.19 vs 2.92+/-0.32, p<0.0001). On the other hand, in the patients with a small coronary thrombus, the frequency of acute restenosis showed no difference in either group. The present study indicates that in patients with AMI, PTCA combined with pre-treatment of a low dose of urokinase is much more effective than PTCA alone, especially for those patients who have a large coronary thrombus.  (+info)

Oozing type cardiac rupture repaired with percutaneous injection of fibrin-glue into the pericardial space: case report. (2/97)

Two patients, a 56-year-old man and an 81-year-old woman who were admitted to hospital because of anteroseptal acute myocardial infarction, were initially treated successfully with direct percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty. However, both patients later developed sudden cardiogenic shock due to cardiac tamponade caused by left ventricular free wall rupture (LVFWR). Prompt, life-saving pericardiocentesis was performed, then fibrin-glue was percutaneously injected into the pericardial space. After the procedure, there was no detectable pericardial effusion on echocardiography and the hemodynamic state became stable. The surgical treatment was the standard procedure for LVFWR, but percutaneous fibrin-glue therapy can also be considered for oozing type LVFWR.  (+info)

Left ventricular free wall rupture in acute fulminant myocarditis during long-term cardiopulmonary support. (3/97)

A 77-year-old woman with acute myocarditis developed cardiogenic shock soon after admission and was given mechanical cardiopulmonary support. Echocardiography revealed severe global left ventricular hypokinesia. After 5 days of mechanical support, left ventricular wall motion gradually began to improve, but the patient died of cardiac tamponade on day 13. At necropsy, a free wall rupture was found where the apical akinetic area bordered the basal portion, an area which had shown better wall motion. Left ventricular free wall rupture in acute myocarditis has not been reported, but this case indicates that it may occur in fulminant myocarditis when a cardiopulmonary support system is used.  (+info)

Cardiac rupture caused by Staphylococcus aureus septicaemia and pericarditis: an incidental finding. (4/97)

A 35 year old woman with a long history of intravenous drug abuse presented to a local hospital with severe anaemia, fever, raised markers of inflammation, and positive blood cultures for Staphylococcus aureus. She responded to treatment with antibiotics with improvement in her symptoms and markers of inflammation. Four weeks later a "routine" echocardiogram showed a rupture of her left ventricular apex and a large pseudoaneurysm. There had been no deterioration in her symptoms or haemodynamic status to herald this new development. It was successfully repaired surgically and the patient made a good recovery.  (+info)

Echocardiographical demonstration of a progressively expanding left ventricular aneurysm preceded by endomyocardial tearing. (5/97)

A 70-year-old woman with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) had a narrow necked left ventricular (LV) aneurysm and pericardial effusion. Although there had been no obvious sign of pseudoaneurysm at the first operation on the 13th day after onset, LV volume increased so dramatically that dyspnea on mild exertion was induced only 2 months after the onset of AMI. She underwent Dor's operation for the expanded LV aneurysm. The histological findings of the resected tissue, which were fibrotic epicardial lesion with small myocyte islands, indicated a true aneurysm. The ultrasound manifestation of a narrow necked aneurysm with abrupt thinning of the myocardium at the hinge point may be a valuable predictor of free wall rupture in the early phase and severely progressive LV remodeling in the late phase. Such aneurysms need to be considered as high risk.  (+info)

Repair of left ventricular rupture following mitral valve replacement concomitant with left atrial reduction procedure--intracardiac patch and extracardiac buttress suture. (6/97)

Rupture of the posterior wall of the left ventricle after mitral valve replacement is a dire complication associated with a very high mortality. This study reports a successful repair of type I left ventricular rupture, which occurred after mitral valve replacement concomitant with a left atrial reduction procedure, by combination of an intracardiac patch and an extracardiac buttress suture. In a case such as this, in which hemostasis is quite difficult to establish, this combination technique is particularly effective.  (+info)

Delayed post-traumatic tamponade together with rupture of the tricuspid valve in a 15 year old boy. (7/97)

With the increase in the number of high speed motor vehicle accidents, blunt, non-penetrating trauma to the heart has become an important health problem. An unusual case is reported of a 15 year old boy urgently referred with cardiac tamponade and a new systolic murmur four months after a car accident. The problems of the diagnosis and possible causes of late cardiac tamponade and tricuspid regurgitation following this type of accident are discussed.  (+info)

Radiation induced valvulitis with late leaflet rupture. (8/97)

Various cardiac sequelae of mediastinal irradiation have been reported, from pericarditis to conduction defects. Despite the potentially fatal nature of some of these abnormalities, many may present with few or no symptoms. In this case report, the patient, who had received 4000 rads to the mediastinum 24 years previously, presented with worsening shortness of breath and two episodes of lightheadedness. Subsequently, he was found to have aortic valve rupture associated with fibrosis. A review of the literature indicates that valve rupture is a novel consequence of mediastinal radiation.  (+info)