Objectives: To evaluate the outcomes of chronic total occlusion (CTO) percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in patients with and without prior coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery.

Background: Pulmonary arteriovenous malformations have been associated with clinical situations that put life at risk or cause physical disability. When the clinical picture is evident, percutaneous occlusion is recommended. Methods: We describe the use of an Amplatzer vascular plug in a female patient for the treatment of an idiopathic pulmonary arteriovenous malformation associated with syncope and transient ischemic attacks. Results: The patient was successfully treated via percutaneous intervention without complications. At 6 months followup, there was an absence of the pulmonary arteriovenous malformation confirmed via angiotomography and a full reintegration into her daily activities with no-clinical eventualities. Conclusion: The use of an Amplatzer vascular plug should be considered for the treatment of idiopathic pulmonary arteriovenous malformation. In experienced centers the procedure can be done safely with excellent clinical outcomes.

Currently, there are no confident prognostic markers in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) undergoing angioplasty. The present study aimed to explore whether basal coronary circulating Mononuclear Progenitor Cells (MPCs) and vascular injury biomarkers were related to development of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs) and may impact clinical prognosis. Methods The number of MPCs and soluble mediators such as IL‐1β, sICAM‐1, MMP‐9, malondialdehyde, superoxide dismutase and nitric oxide were determined in coronary and peripheral circulation. Prognostic ability for MACEs occurring at 6 months follow up was assessed by time‐to‐event and event free survival estimations. Results Lower coronary circulating MPCs subpopulations CD45 + CD34 + , CD45 + CD34 + CD133 + CD184 + , lower MMP‐9 and higher sICAM‐1 significantly associated with MACEs presentation and showed prognostic ability; while peripheral blood increase in malondialdehyde and decreased superoxide dismutase were observed in patients with MACEs. Conclusion Coronary concentration of biomarkers related with vascular repair, such as MPCs subpopulations and adhesion molecules, may predict MACEs and impact prognosis in patients with CAD undergoing angioplasty; whereas peripheral pro‐oxidative condition may be also associated.

Heart failure (HF) is the leading cause of death worldwide. Efforts to decrease HF mortality rates include a multidisciplinary approach management. Although evidence suggests that this has been an optimal strategy for treating HF, the model remains not widely implanted. The current article explores the rationale behind the formation of a Heart Team in a developing country and its development despite the lack of an allocated budget.

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