OBJECTIVES This study sought to assess the effects of sequential coronary artery occlusion during minimally invasive coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG) on hemodynamic variables and left ventricular systolic function by means of transesophageal echocardiography (TEE). BACKGROUND Clinical and experimental studies suggest a protective effect of ischemic preconditioning in patients with ...

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE An animal model of selective middle cerebral artery (MCA) occlusion is needed for evaluation of intra-arterial (IA) delivery of thrombolytic agents. We describe a technique for MCA thrombo-occlusion in the rabbit with real-time angiographic documentation of occlusion and thrombolytic recanalization. METHODS After femoral artery cutdown, a microcatheter was advanced from...

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Antecedent balloon test occlusion is often performed prior to vertebral artery sacrifice, but there is limited data to suggest this adds a significant clinical benefit, especially in the setting of trauma. Furthermore, balloon test occlusion can be time-consuming, add to the technical complexity of the procedure, and increase the overall cost of treatment. The purpose of ...

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Epidemiological study of middle cerebral artery occlusion is important because the indication for extracranial-intracranial arterial bypass remains in dispute. To help clarify this issue, we investigated the prognosis of thrombotic middle cerebral artery occlusion in Japanese patients. METHODS We studied 40 patients with thrombotic middle cerebral artery occlusion who w...

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Contrast-enhanced transcranial color-coded real-time sonography (TCCS) is a promising tool for the evaluation of brain circulation. The purpose of the present study was to assess the diagnostic ability of conventional and contrast-enhanced TCCS in patients with acute stroke and basilar artery occlusion and to compare the findings with those of angiography. METHODS We pr...

purpose : churg-strauss syndrome (css) is a rare form of small vessel necrotizing vasculitis. retinal artery and vein occlusion are very rare findings in these patients and they are treated by high-dose corticosteroids and cytotoxics. we describe a rare case of css under high-dose corticosteroids and cytotoxic treatment, presenting central retinal artery occlusion (crao). case report : a 45-yea...