Texas Heart Institute journal
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Comment Letter
House-staff working hours and continuity of patient care.
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Review Biography Historical Article
The discovery of aspirin's antithrombotic effects.
Aspirin has long been established as a useful analgesic and antipyretic. Even in ancient times, salicylate-containing plants such as the willow were commonly used to relieve pain and fever. In the 20th century, scientists discovered many details of aspirin's anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties, including its molecular mechanism of action. ⋯ We present Craven's story, which demonstrates the value of a single physician's commitment to lifelong learning. In addition, we summarize the work of the physicians and scientists who discovered the molecular mechanisms by which aspirin exerts its antiplatelet effects. Collectively, these discoveries exemplify the complementary roles of basic science and clinical observation in advancing medicine.
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As a complication of myocardial ischemia, severe elongation of the anterior papillary muscle with resultant mitral valve insufficiency is a rare clinical finding. Using echocardiography, we accurately diagnosed this condition in a 75-year-old man. The patient underwent successful plication of the elongated anterior papillary muscle and the implantation of polytetrafluoroethylene neochordae tendineae.
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Takotsubo cardiomyopathy mimics acute coronary syndrome and is accompanied by reversible left ventricular apical ballooning in the absence of angiographically significant coronary artery stenosis. In Japanese, "takotsubo" means "fishing pot for trapping octopus," and the left ventricle of a patient diagnosed with this condition resembles that shape. Takotsubo cardiomyopathy, which is transient and typically precipitated by acute emotional stress, is also known as "stress cardiomyopathy" or "broken-heart syndrome."Herein, we describe the clinical angiographic characteristics of 4 patients who exhibited this syndrome, and we review the existing literature and propose reasons to conduct prospective studies.