The absence of a small portion of the pericardium is termed pericardial defect. This rare entity can be either acquired or congenital. The prevalence of congenital pericardial defect is exceedingly rare, which is approximately 0.002–0.004% of surgical and pathologic series. The most common type is the absence of the entire left side of pericardium, seen in 67% of all patients with a congenital pericardial defect. Other varieties are incredibly uncommon. Congenital pericardial defect has a male preponderance with a male to female ratio of 3:1, and familial occurrence is uncommon. We report a case of left partial congenital pericardial defect detected incidentally in a 22-year-old man who presented with recurrent left spontaneous pneumothorax. He underwent video-assisted thoracoscopic bullectomy and intraoperatively, we discovered a left partial pericardial defect which exposed the left atrial appendage. Although generally asymptomatic, patients may present with non-specific cardiac symptoms such as atypical chest pain. Partial pericardial defects have an increased risk of herniation of the whole left atrium, the left atrial appendage or the ventricles. If this occurs, cardiac strangulation may occur, leading to necrosis and sudden death. Cardiac MRI is a sensitive tool and will demonstrate the absence of preaortic pericardial recess. In conclusion, no surgical intervention is required in cases of congenital pericardial defect, unless the patient is symptomatic due to complications. If detected incidentally during cardiac or thoracic surgery, the best may be to leave it alone.

INTRODUCTION: Despite the advantages of Coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG), this procedure has been reported to have a significant impact on sexual activity. The study aims to assess the trajectory of change in erectile dysfunction (ED) symptoms following CABG.METHODS: 73 adult male participants were recruited. Participant primary data was measured using the International Index of Erectile Dysfunction (IIEF-5) at three-time points. RESULTS: Severe ED was most prevalent during 6 weeks following-operation (86.3%); however, the proportion of severe ED symptoms reduced after 4 months following-operatively (42.5%). There was a statistically significant difference in ED symptoms between pre-operatively and 6 weeks post- operatively (p< 0.001). At 4 months, there was a marginally significant improvement in ED symptoms compared to baseline pre-operatively post CABG (p = 0.064). Age significantly increases the chance in odds of having abnormal ED symptoms by 22% at 4 months postoperatively (aOR=1.22, 95% CI=1.06, 1.41, p<0.05). Other risk factors for abnormal ED symptoms following CABG, which include normal creatinine clearance, being a smoker, and having moderate to good LV function was not statistically significant. CONCLUSION: The present study has demonstrated a high prevalence of ED following CABG and the procedure caused a negative impact on the ED symptoms. However, there was a significant improvement in ED symptoms as the time from surgery increases and patients recovered. Further studies with larger sample size and longer recovery time are needed to assess the trajectory of recovery in ED symptoms in this population.>< 0.05). Other risk factors for abnormal ED symptoms following CABG, which include normal creatinine clearance, being a smoker, and having moderate to good LV function was not statistically significant. CONCLUSION: The present study has demonstrated a high prevalence of ED following CABG and the procedure caused a negative impact on the ED symptoms.

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Background Intrapleural fibrinolytic therapy (IPFT) is one of the treatment options for complex pleural effusion. In this study, the IPFT agent used was alteplase, a tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA). This study aims to determine the difference in the outcome of patients with complex pleural effusion between IPFT and surgery in terms of radiological improvement, inflammatory parameters, length of stay, and post-intervention complications. Methods A retrospective review of patients with complex pleural effusion treated at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Center from January 2012 to August 2020 was performed. Patient demographics, chest imaging, drainage chart, inflammatory parameters, length of hospital stay, and post-intervention and outcome were analyzed. Results Fifty-eight patients were identified (surgical intervention, n = 18; 31% and IPFT, n = 40, 69%). The mean age was 51.7 ± 18.2 years. Indication for surgical intervention was pleural infection (n = 18; 100%), and MPE (n = 0). Indications for IPFT was pleural infection (n = 30; 75%) and MPE (n = 10; 25%). The dosages of t-PA were one to five doses of 2–50 mg. The baseline chest radiograph in the IPFT group was worse than in the surgical intervention group. (119.96 ± 56.05 vs. 78.19 ± 55.6; p = 0.029) At week 1, the radiological success rate for IPFT and surgical intervention were 27% and 20%, respectively, and at weeks 4–8, the success rate was 56% and 80% respectively. IPFT was associated with lesser complications; fever (17.5%), chest pain (10%), and non-life-threatening bleeding (5%). Conclusion IPFT was comparable to surgery in radiological outcome, inflammatory parameters, and length of stay with lesser reported complications.