A review of particular interest for procurement (retrieval) of hearts after brain injury, especially subarachnoid bleeding, the commonest cause of death in DBD in our practice. The authors discuss, amongst other things, the early stress micro-infarcts that may limit the performance of the donated heart, especally in female donors with sub a
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Electrophysiology/arrhythmia
February 1, 2017
Joseph Zacharias of the Lancashire Cardiac Centre, Blackpool, UK, gives an overview of the use of ablation for atrial fibrillation in minimally invasive mitral valve surgery.
December 5, 2016
In this manuscript, the authors describe their findings in a propensity score matched analysis of a retrospectively acquire data on 9792 patients undergoing CABG or heart valve surgery over a 6-year period.
November 22, 2016
This video demonstrates a Mexican modification to the traditional Maze III procedure.
September 27, 2016
In this single institution retrospective study of postoperative cardiac surgery patients, serum potassium and magnesium levels at times when postoperative atrial fibrillation (POAF) occured were compared with levels in patients who did not experience POAF. The incidence of POAF was 37%, and was associated with increasing magnesium levels.
August 2, 2016
This randomized trial evaluated the efficacy of postoperative metoprolol or losartan in preventing atrial fibrillation in patients with elevated N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide who were undergoing lung resection for cancer. Among candidates, 29% (320) of patients had elevated NT-proBNP and were randomized. Both metoprolol and losartan redu
July 14, 2016
In this matched cohort study the authors evaluate the age-associated risk of bleeding and thrombosis in 3313 patients ≥70 years attending a single thrombosis service and treated with vitamin K antagonist (VKA). Patients were matched 1:1:1 by decade (70-79, 80-89, 90-99 years) and duration of treatment.
December 24, 2015
Patients undergoing surgical ablation for afib were evaluated for recurrence using either intermittent monitoring using traditional methods or continuous monitoring using an implantable loop recorder (ILR). Compliance with ILR use was higher than with traditional monitoring methods (93% vs about 80%). Detection of afib was similar between ILR and t
November 16, 2015
The report of FDA-mandated prospective evaluation of outcomes after Cox Maze-IV for atrial fibrillation during cardiac surgery for other problems. It utilized the Synergy ablation system and focused on absence of AF off antiarrhythmics at 6 months and the absence of major adverse events at 30 days. 76% were AF free, and 9.1% experienced major compl
November 11, 2015
Results of a multicenter trial of a leadless transcatheter pacing system were reviewed in 300 pts at 6 mos. Implantation was successful in 99%. Safety was assessed as freedom from system-related or procedure related complications, and was 96%. Efficacy was assessed as stable pacing capture at low voltage and was 98%. 25 pts suffered major complic