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Introduction: In females, congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH), a spectrum of inherited genetic conditions related to the disruption of adrenal steroidogenesis, is among the most common conditions leading to inappropriate virilization. For adolescent and adult women, progression of hirsutism may have many psychological concerns. Objectives: To explore the psychological distress of a young Tunisian woman who sought medical help and psychological support at a late stage, after suffering from genital ambiguity and severe virilization. Methods: Harboring phenotypic male transformation at puberty, our patient attended genetic counselling for cytogenetics assessment. Clinical, biological, psychological and genetic explorations were thus carried out. Results: A 17-year-old female was born from first-degree consanguineous parents, and had healthy siblings (a sister and three brothers). After a single menstrual episode at puberty, she developed amenorrhea and an unexpected progressive virilization, including hirsutism with an inappropriate beard that she had to shave every day and a male voice. Clinical examination revealed a male morphotype with an enlarged clitoris that resemble a penis, male-type pubic hair, underdeveloped of breasts, abnormal cutaneous hyperpigmentation, and a short stature. Pelvic ultrasound revealed a small uterus, but with no visualized gonads. Genetic exploration showed a female 46,XX karyotype and the absence of Y chromosome sequences. Diagnosis of a non-classic CAH was confirmed. Psychological assessment found that the psychological development of the sexual identity corresponded to the assignment of the female sex. A severe psychological suffering due to the non-acceptance of her virile appearance impaired the quality of her daily personal and social life. Stigmata of a depressive syndrome were also revealed. Conclusions: Particular attention to the psychological assessment of patients with CAH is recommended, as changes in physical appearance have a detrimental impact on psychological and mental well-being. Disclosure of Interest: None Declared [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present the case of a 32-year-old female patient who presented at the cardiology consultation with shortness of breath and palpitations. A large inter-atrial defect was identified through echocardiography, prompting the cardiology team to perform a percutaneous closure procedure using the Amplatzer Atrial Septal Occluder (Abbott Laboratories, Abbott Park, IL, USA). Seven weeks later, a migration of the prosthetic device into the left ventricular outflow tract was diagnosed. A surgical procedure was immediately performed to explant the device and repair the defect. This case highlights the importance of vigilant monitoring in patients undergoing percutaneous closure procedures to detect severe complications such as device migration at an earlier stage., Competing Interests: Human subjects: Consent for treatment and open access publication was obtained or waived by all participants in this study. Conflicts of interest: In compliance with the ICMJE uniform disclosure form, all authors declare the following: Payment/services info: All authors have declared that no financial support was received from any organization for the submitted work. Financial relationships: All authors have declared that they have no financial relationships at present or within the previous three years with any organizations that might have an interest in the submitted work. Other relationships: All authors have declared that there are no other relationships or activities that could appear to have influenced the submitted work., (Copyright © 2024, Bellofatto Piazza et al.)

Background: Left atrial appendage occlusion (LAAO) procedures are widely guided by standard transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) probes, requiring general anesthesia in most patients. The use of miniaturized TEE probes allows for LAAO guidance under local anesthesia and offers an attractive imaging alternative to standard TEE probes., Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess the safety and efficacy of miniaturized TEE probes for procedural guidance of LAAO., Methods: Multicenter retrospective observational study of LAAO procedures performed under miniaturized TEE guidance and conscious sedation. The primary efficacy endpoint was technical success. The secondary efficacy endpoint was procedural success (technical success without major periprocedural complications). The safety outcome was a composite of major periprocedural complications., Results: A total of 546 consecutive LAAO procedures were performed in 5 European centers. Technical success was achieved in 534 (98.0%) patients. Sixteen major periprocedural complications occurred in 15 (2.9%) patients, yielding a procedural success rate of 97.0%. Conversion to general anesthesia was required in 4 (0.7%) patients. Short-term imaging follow-up was available in 422 patients with an incidence of major (>5 mm) TEE-detected residual leaks of 0.7%, complete LAA occlusion of 82.2% on cardiac computed tomography, and device-related thrombus of 5%. As compared with procedural 2-dimensional imaging for device sizing, preprocedural assessment by 3-dimensional imaging resulted in improved technical success (100% vs 95.0%; P < 0.001)., Conclusions: LAAO under conscious sedation and miniaturized TEE guidance is safe and feasible with a high rate of technical success and a low rate of periprocedural complications., Competing Interests: Funding Support and Author Disclosures Dr Aminian has served as a proctor and consultant for Abbott and Boston Scientific. Dr Freixa has served as a proctor and consultant for Abbott and Lifetech. Dr Swaans has served as a lecturer/proctor for Abbott Vascular, Boston Scientific, Edwards Lifesciences, Bioventrix, GE Healthcare, and Philips Healthcare. Dr Sanchis has served as proctor for Abbott; and received speaker honoraria from Abbott and GE Healthcare. Dr Cruz-González has served as proctor and consultant for Abbott, Boston Scientific, and Lifetech. Dr Boersma has received consultation funds from Boston Scientific, Abbott Medical, and Philips Healthcare. All other authors have reported that they have no relationships relevant to the contents of this paper to disclose., (Copyright © 2023 American College of Cardiology Foundation. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Objectives: To describe imaging assessment, procedural and follow-up outcome of patients undergoing left atrial appendage (LAA) occlusion (LAAO) using a "sandwich" technique., Background: The presence of a LAA with chicken wing morphology constitutes a challenge that sometimes requires specific occlusion strategies like the "sandwich" technique. However, procedural and follow-up data focusing on this implanting strategy is scarce., Methods: This multicenter study collected individual data from eight centers between 2012 and 2019. Consecutive patients with chicken-wing LAAs defined as an early (<20 mm from the ostium) and severe bend (>90°) who underwent LAAO with Amplatzer devices and using the "sandwich" technique were included in the analysis., Results: Overall, 190 subjects were enrolled in the study. Procedures were done with the Amulet device (85%) and the Amplatzer Cardiac Plug (15%). Successful implantation was achieved in 99.5% with ≤1 partial recapture in 80% of cases. Single (46.2%) and dual antiplatelet therapy (39.4%) were the most used antithrombotic therapies after LAAO. In-hospital major adverse events rate was 1.5% with no deaths. One patient (0.5%) had cardiac tamponade requiring percutaneous drainage. With a mean follow-up of 19.6 ± 14.8 months, the mortality and stroke rates were 7.7%/year and 2.5%/year, respectively. Follow-up transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) at 2-3 months showed device-related thrombosis in 2.8% and peri-device leak ≥3 mm in 1.2% of patients., Conclusions: In a large series of patients with chicken wing LAA anatomies undergoing LAAO, the use of the "sandwich" technique was feasible and safe. Preprocedural imaging was a key-factor to determine specific measurements., (© 2021 Wiley Periodicals LLC.)