Repair of total anomalous pulmonary venous connection (TAPVC) involves anastomosing the pulmonary venous confluence with the left atrium and ligating the vertical vein. Sometimes, the vertical vein needs to be left open as a pop off with the idea that it will close over time. Infrequently an unligated vertical vein may remain patent after repair of infaracardiac TAPVC leading to hemodynamic ins...

In pulmonary vein isolation as a treatment for atrial fibrillation the proximal part of the pulmonary veins is catheterized. A protocol for preinterventional assessment of pulmonary vein anatomy was developed, based on contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) in combination with three-dimensional visualization to tailor periprocedural angiography. The results allow for assessment ...

A 51-year-old man with no cardiovascular symptoms was referred for cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMRI) for further investigation of alterations observed on previous exams. CMRI revealed biventricular dilatation and paradoxical septal motion compatible with volume overload. Balanced steady-state free precession sequences in axial planes showed an anomalous vein oriented vertically and late...

A 43-year-old male experienced renal infarction (RI) following left upper lobectomy for lung cancer. The patient complained of acute-onset severe left flank pain on the 14th postoperative day. A contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) of the abdomen revealed RI by a large wedge-shaped defect in the left kidney. A chest CT scan located the thrombus in the stump (a blind-ended vessel) of the l...

Chest pain is a typical symptomof ischemic coronary artery diseases. Patients with ischemic coronary artery diseases typically have coronary artery stenosis, although approximately 10–20% of patients with angina pectoris have normal coronary artery, and most of these patients are syndrome X that showed slow coronary flow [1,2]. In addition, patients with chest pain butwith an intact coronary ar...

We report one of the rare anatomical variations of the pulmonary vein wherein the left V2 drained into the inferior pulmonary vein. A 63-year-old man was referred to our hospital because of an abnormal shadow in the left lower lung field that was noted on chest X-ray. Computed tomography (CT) revealed a tumor in the left lower lobe. A biopsied tumor specimen was diagnosed as an adenocarcinoma, ...

OBJECTIVES To quantify and study the distribution of innervation of the left atrium and the pulmonary veins in humans. BACKGROUND Damage to cardiac nerves has been hypothesized as the explanation for successful radiofrequency ablation of atrial fibrillation. METHODS From January 2003 to September 2003, histologic and quantitative studies of innervation of the left atrium and the pulmonary v...

Pulmonary vein thrombosis is difficult to diagnose clinically and requires a combination of conventional diagnostic modalities. Transesophageal echocardiography was used in the present case to readily diagnose this entity and follow thrombus regression on anticoagulant therapy. This limited experience suggests that transesophageal echocardiography may be the initial diagnostic study of choice f...

Two cases of common pulmonary vein atresia (CPVA) are presented. In one, the diagnosis was suspected on clinical grounds, and in both it was c onfirmed by cardiac catheterization and angiocardiography. Surgical correction was attempted unsuccessfully in one. Prompt identification of the defect followed by immediate operation, using a technic of profound hypothermia and circulatory arrest, offer...

INTRODUCTION Pulmonary vein stenosis (PVS) is a potential complication of pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) using radiofrequency energy. The aim of our study was the evaluation of the severity and long-term outcome of primary angioplasty and angioplasty with pulmonary vein stenting for PVS. METHODS AND RESULTS Twelve patients with 15 PVS (greater than 70% stenosis) were prospectively evaluated. ...