Association of Socioeconomic Status and Infarct Volume With Functional Outcome in Patients With Ischemic Stroke.

Importance: Long-term disability after stroke is associated with socioeconomic status (SES). However, the reasons for such disparities in outcomes remain unclear.

Objective: To assess whether lower SES is associated with larger admission infarct volume and whether initial infarct volume accounts for the association between SES and long-term disability.

Left-dominant arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy: an association with desmoglein-2 gene mutation-a case report.

Background: Desmosomes are specialized intercellular adhesive junctions of cardiac and epithelial cells that provide intercellular mechanical coupling through glycoproteins, one of which is desmoglein (DSG). DSG-2 mutations are frequently associated with biventricular arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy (ACM). We report a case of left-dominant ACM in a patient who initially was misclassified as dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM).

Augmentation index and aortic stiffness in bicuspid aortic valve patients with non-dilated proximal aortas.

Background: We compared aortic stiffness, aortic impedance and pressure from wave reflections in the setting of bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) to the tricuspid aortic valve (TAV) in the absence of proximal aortic dilation. We hypothesized BAV is associated with abnormal arterial stiffness.

Methods: Ten BAV subjects (47 ± 4 years, 6 male) and 13 TAV subjects (46 ± 4 years, 10 male) without significant aortic valve disease were prospectively recruited.

Low yield of genetic testing for known vascular connective tissue disorders in patients with fibromuscular dysplasia.

Patients with fibromuscular dysplasia (FMD) may have clinical features consistent with Mendelian vascular connective tissue disorders. The yield of genetic testing for these disorders among patients with FMD has not been determined. A total of 216 consecutive patients with FMD were identified.

Exercise-induced acute changes in systolic blood pressure do not alter choroidal thickness as measured by a portable spectral-domain optical coherence tomography device.

Purpose: To measure choroidal thickness in patients manifesting an acute change in systemic arterial blood pressure using a portable spectral-domain optical coherence tomography device (iVue).

Methods: Fifteen patients (15 eyes) undergoing cardiac exercise stress testing were scanned using a portable spectral-domain optical coherence tomography system (iVue). Two scan protocols were used: cross line scan for measuring choroidal thickness and the retina map scan to measure retinal thickness.

Percutaneous left ventricular support in cardiogenic shock and severe aortic regurgitation.

Severe aortic regurgitation (AR) is a well-established contraindication to intra-aortic balloon counterpulsation therapy. We report two cases of medically refractory cardiogenic shock in patients with severe AR who were successfully bridged to surgical left ventricular assist device implantation by percutaneous left atrial to femoral artery mechanical bypass. Further investigation into the clinical utility of percutaneous mechanical support in the setting of AR and shock is required.