Whereas the brain-heart axis is an emerging field in neuropsychocardiology, a central autonomic network including the insular cortex (Ic) regulates the cardiovascular system via the intrinsic cardiac nervous system. Cardiac interoception, represented in Ic, has been studied in cardiovascular diseases and inflammation. Therefore, it is important to investigate how interoception is related to cardiovascular disease in terms of its prevention and treatment. To examine the role of the Ic in...

Paradoxical coronary embolism (PCE) is an uncommon cause of acute myocardial infarction (AMI), typically occurring when venous thromboemboli cross a right-to-left shunt in the setting of elevated right-sided pressures. We report a case of mixed obstructive and cardiogenic shock caused by simultaneous pulmonary embolism (PE) and PCE. A previously healthy 43-year-old woman developed profound hypoxemia and inferior ST-segment elevation 3 days after knee surgery. Coronary angiography revealed distal...

BackgroundRefractory end-stage lung failure may benefit from extracorporeal life support (ECLS) as a bridge to lung transplantation. Venovenous (VV) extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is indicated in patients who have failed conventional medical treatment and mechanical ventilation. The Avalon Elite Bi-Caval Dual-Lumen Catheter (Getinge) and the Crescent Jugular Dual-Lumen Catheter (MC3, Inc., Medtronic) have been used for this configuration. Venoarterial (VA) ECMO may be used in...

IntroductionExtracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) provides lifesaving support for severe respiratory and cardiac failure. Hybrid modes such as venoarteriopulmonary (VAP) may be necessary when conventional modes fail to meet complex physiological demands.Case ReportA 31-year-old woman with dermatomyositis-associated interstitial lung disease developed severe respiratory failure. She was initiated on venovenous (VV) ECMO, later complicated by right ventricular injury (RVI) requiring...

INTRODUCTION: In 2006, a federal US court found several major tobacco companies guilty of violating civil racketeering laws for deceiving the public about the harms of cigarettes. After 16 years of legal battles, the court ordered 17 corrective statements to be placed in over 200 000 tobacco retailers who have contracts with the tobacco companies to educate the public on the truth about tobacco-related harms. This study examined if corrective statement compliance was equitable across...