The objective of this paper is twofold: (i) to show how multislice computed tomography (MSCT) data sets bring the information required for cardiac resynchronisation therapy (CRT) planning; (ii) to demonstrate the feasibility of 3D navigation into the veins where left ventricular leads have to be placed. The former has been achieved by exploring and labelling the cardiac structures of concern, t...

It is established that cardiac resynchronisation therapy (CRT) reduces mortality and hospitalisation and improves functional class in patients with NYHA class 3-4 heart failure, an ejection fraction of ≤ 35% and a QRS duration of ≥ 120ms. Recent updates in the American guidelines have expanded the demographic of patients in whom CRT may be appropriate. Here we present two cases of complex CRT; ...

Recent studies suggest that pulmonary vein isolation can be an effective method of treatment for atrial fibrillation. This procedure can be performed with minimally invasive, totally endoscopic cardiac surgical techniques. We report our first successful endoscopic isolation of the pulmonary veins in a patient with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation. The procedure consisted of making a box lesion ar...

I read with interest the editorial comment by Asirvatham and Gard (1). The authors note that atrial fibrillation is more common in athletes and long distance runners. They then posit a complex theory (fulcrum for cardiac translatory movement) to explain the tissue damage that occurs at the level of the inferior pulmonary veins, as evidenced by the findings of fibrosis and fibrofatty changes rep...

This rare malady of obscure aetiology being characterized chiefly by its recurrent attacks of migrating-phlebitis in peripheral as well as in visceral veins. Moorhead and Abrahamson (1928) have described four cases, showing recurrent attacks of phlebitis in various sites, e.g., in the upper and lower limbs, in the mesenteric veins causing abdominal pain, melaena, etc., in the lungs producing pa...

Early diagnosis and surgical correction is highly important for survival. In the evaluation of TAPVC, imaging methods have been used. Recent advances Total anomalous pulmonary venous connection (TAPVC) is a rare congenital cardiac anomaly in which the pulmonary veins fail to connect with the left atrium and connect directly to the right atrium or to one of the systemic veins. Early diagnosis an...

Purpose: Pulmonary vein isolation by means of catheter ablation is a new therapeutic modality for patients with symptomatic atrial fibrillation. Due to the complex anatomy preprocedual imaging of left atrium and pulmonary veins is helpful for planning catheter intervention. With the advent of electrocardiogram-gated and respiratory-gated 3D steady state free precession (SSFP) sequences covering...

We report here the case of a 55-year-old Japanese man with a one-year history of multiple ulcers on the left crural region. He had had pronounced varicose veins on both legs and the abdominal region for 35 years. Computed tomography images of the thoracic and abdominal regions showed the absence of an inferior vena cava, with pronounced dilatation of paravertebral venous plexus, cutaneous and a...

Intravascular leiomyomatosis (IVL) is a benign smooth muscle tumor that evolves from the pelvic veins and can spread to the central veins and heart. Cardiac involvement is the most commonly reported presentation. Initial diagnosis is difficult, and IVL is commonly misdiagnosed as thrombus or atrial myxoma. Appropriate imaging and a high clinical suspicion are required for accurate diagnosis. We...