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Azygos or hemizygous continuation of inferior vena cava (IVC) is diagnosed in the presence of intrahepatic interruption of IVC. We report a case of a 4-year-old, male child presenting with a history of poor weight gain. A detailed evaluation of the child revealed a diagnosis of hemizygous continuation of uninterrupted, but severely obstructed, IVC. This incidental finding has rarely been reported in the literature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Levosimendan a calcium ion sensitizer improves both systolic and diastolic functions. This novel lusitropic drug has predictable antiischemic properties which are mediated via the opening of mitochondrial adenosine triphosphate-sensitive potassium channels. This action of levosimendan is beneficial in cardiac surgical patients as it improves myocardial contractility, decreases systemic vascular resistance (SVR), and increases cardiac index (CI) and is thought to be cardioprotective. We decided to study whether levosimendan has any impact on the outcomes such as the duration of ventilation, the length of Intensive Care Unit (ICU) stay, and the hospital stay when compared with the nitroglycerine (NTG), which is the current standard of care at our center.Materials and Methods: Forty-seven patients undergoing elective coronary artery bypass surgery were randomly assigned to two groups receiving either levosimendan or NTG. The medications were started before starting surgery and continued until 24 h in the postoperative period. Baseline hemodynamic parameters were evaluated before beginning of the operation and then postoperatively at 3 different time intervals. N-terminal fragment of pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) levels were also measured in both groups.Results: In comparison to the NTG group, the duration of ventilation and length of ICU stay were significantly less in levosimendan group (P < 0.05, P = 0.02). NT-proBNP level analysis showed a slow rising pattern in both groups and a statistically significant rise in the levels was observed in NTG group (P = 0.03, P = 0.02) in postoperative period when compared to levosimendan group of patients.Conclusion: Levosimendan treatment in patients undergoing surgical revascularization resulted in improved CI, decreased SVR and lower heart rate. And, thereby the duration of ventilation and length of ICU stay were significantly less in this group of patients when compared with NTG group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a case study of a 43-year-old woman who experienced complications after undergoing an orthotopic heart transplantation (OHT) for her dilated cardiomyopathy. The patient then went for an echocardiography test which showed a mild right ventricle dysfunction and risk of developing hyperkalemia. The article also discusses the drug effectiveness of fludrocortisone as treatment for hyperkalemia.