Key Points Atrial fibrillation (AF) is associated with substantial morbidity and mortality due to stroke and systemic embolism. The left atrial appendage (LAA) appears to be the primary source of thromboembolism in AF and therefore is a target for mechanical…
Key Points Although patent foramen ovale (PFO) and atrial septal defect (ASD) both involve an abnormal communication across the interatrial septum, their causes are different. PFO results from lack of fusion between the septum primum and the septum secundum, whereas…
Key Points Structural heart disease interventions rely on multimodality imaging, including fluoroscopy and echocardiography (intracardiac, transthoracic, or transesophageal) during the procedure, and computed tomography and cardiac magnetic resonance for procedural planning. These modalities are complimentary. During the procedure, fluoroscopy allows…
Key Points The three broad categories of stroke are hemorrhagic, thrombotic, and embolic (i.e., artery to artery and chamber to artery). Carotid plaque, unlike coronary lesions, most often causes symptoms due to atheroembolization rather than thrombotic occlusion. The size of…
Key Points Carotid intervention for the treatment of atherosclerotic disease has evolved considerably. The potential for serious neurologic complications during such procedures places a premium on careful studies documenting the overall clinical efficacy of intervention compared with medical therapy. Carotid…
Key Points Venous disease, both acute (deep vein thrombosis [DVT], pulmonary embolism [PE]) and chronic (postthrombotic syndrome, ulcers, varicose veins), is widely prevalent, affecting up to a quarter of the population. Superficial vein disease can be highly symptomatic but often…
Key Points Acute aortic dissection is an uncommon but potentially catastrophic illness that occurs with an incidence of approximately 3.5 per 1 million person-years, with at least 8000 cases occurring annually in the United States. Aortic stent grafts are primarily…
Key Points Uncontrolled hypertension presents a significant health care problem with far-reaching public health and economic consequences. Novel therapies target neurohumoral modulation and mechanical alteration of vascular compliance to treat hypertension. Reduction of the sympathetic nervous output from the renal…
Key Points Renal artery stenosis (RAS) is caused by a heterogeneous group of diseases with various causes, clinical manifestations, courses, treatments, and outcomes. Atherosclerotic renal artery sclerosis and fibromuscular dysplasia are the most common causes of renal artery sclerosis. Patients…
Key Points Atherosclerotic stenoses commonly involve the major mesenteric arteries (celiac, superior mesenteric, and inferior mesenteric) but rarely cause symptomatic mesenteric ischemia because of the excellent collateral circulation that interconnects the visceral vascular beds. The classic presentation is postprandial abdominal…