The Journal of invasive cardiology
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Pericardiocentesis under echocardiography guidance is a common procedure, but still poses a risk of injury to surrounding tissues. Nowadays, pericardiocentesis is being performed in patients with normal pericardium, for epicardial ablation or atrial appendage exclusion. Access to the normal pericardial space with the conventional needle procedure is very difficult. Thus, development of a novel method enabling safer pericardiocentesis is necessary. The present study aimed to assess the feasibility of using an originally developed ultrathin endoscopy-guided pericardiocentesis device in a swine model. ⋯ The study results indicate that ultrathin endoscopy-guided pericardiocentesis for normal pericardial space is feasible and safe.
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Case Reports
Ultrasound-Accelerated Thrombolysis in Patients With Intracardiac Thrombi: A Case Series.
We describe a case series of 3 patients presenting with intracardiac thrombi treated with standard anticoagulation therapy and intervention with ultrasound-accelerated thrombolysis therapy. Right-sided intracardiac thrombi portend significant mortality due to their susceptibility for embolization and pulmonary embolus despite the continuation of current standard of therapy of parenteral anticoagulation and surgical embolectomy if warranted. We demonstrate the safety and clinical efficacy of ultrasound-accelerated thrombolysis therapy with the EkoSonic Endovascular System infusion catheter system (EKOS Corporation) and highlight its use in resolving intracardiac thrombi and impeding the propagation of pulmonary emboli.