Factors Affecting the Use of Medical Articles for Citation and Academic Reference.

Introduction: Increases in publication quantity and the onset of open access have increased the complexity of conducting a literature search. Bibliometric markers, like impact factor (IF), have traditionally been used to help identify high-quality research. These markers exist amongst a variety of other factors, which poses the following question: what factors are examined when considering articles for clinical and academic research?

Objective: To determine what factors are involved when authors choose citations to include in their publications.

Management of Fetal Supraventricular Tachycardia: Case Series from a Tertiary Perinatal Cardiac Center.

Background: Fetal supraventricular tachycardia is a relatively uncommon cardiac rhythm abnormality which is often associated with adverse perinatal outcomes if untreated. Although there are several treatment modalities and protocols in use globally, there is no consensus as to the most effective antiarrhythmic to manage this condition.

Aim: This study aimed to evaluate perinatal outcomes following prenatal maternal therapy for fetal supraventricular tachycardia.

Longitudinal assessment of ventricular strain, tricuspid and mitral annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE and MAPSE) in fetuses from pregnancies complicated by diabetes mellitus.

Objectives: To evaluate fetal cardiac function using myocardial deformation analyses, tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE), mitral annular plane systolic excursion (MAPSE) and diastolic function parameters in pregnancies complicated by maternal diabetes mellitus.

Methods: Myocardial deformation using velocity vector imaging (VVI), TAPSE, MAPSE and diastolic function was measured in 126 women with uncomplicated singleton pregnancies and 50 women with diabetes mellitus. Women underwent ultrasound scans every four weeks from recruitment (18-28 weeks gestational age) until delivery.

Peri-Operative Patient Safety - An Interactive Workshop for Section 3 CPD Credits Developed in Collaboration with the CMPA.

Background: The Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada requires physicians to collect credit in continuing professional development courses including Section 3 credits which require feedback and self-assessment. This study aims to examine the effectiveness of offering Section 3 credits in a conference setting using an interactive workshop on peri-operative patient safety developed in collaboration with the Canadian Medical Protective Association (CMPA). Both the knowledge gained and the attitudes towards the conference were analysed.

Global longitudinal reference ranges for fetal myocardial deformation in the second half of pregnancy.

Purpose: To construct longitudinal fetal reference ranges for global longitudinal myocardial deformation (strain and strain rate) of the left and right ventricles in the second half of pregnancy.

Methods: A prospective, observational, longitudinal study of 120 women with uncomplicated singleton pregnancies. The participants underwent ultrasonographic scans every 4 weeks from enrolment (18-28 weeks) until delivery.