A double-blind randomized trial comparing lidocaine spray and placebo spray anesthesia prior to cervical laminaria insertion.

Objective: To compare pain during laminaria insertion after lidocaine spray versus placebo spray anesthesia in women about to undergo a surgical abortion procedure.

Study Design: A double blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial of women at 12-24 weeks gestation one day prior to surgical uterine evacuation procedure. Participants received lidocaine 10% or placebo (saline 0.

Effects of the chymase inhibitor fulacimstat on adverse cardiac remodeling after acute myocardial infarction-Results of the Chymase Inhibitor in Adverse Remodeling after Myocardial Infarction (CHIARA MIA) 2 trial.

Background: Adverse cardiac remodeling is a major risk factor for the development of post myocardial infarction (MI) heart failure (HF). This study investigates the effects of the chymase inhibitor fulacimstat on adverse cardiac remodeling after acute ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI).

Methods: In this double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial patients with first STEMI were eligible.

Clinical Impact of ABO and Rhesus D Blood Type Groups in Patients With Chronic Heart Failure.

Blood group systems based on red blood cell antigens are genetically determined and can identify patients at risk. Type non-O of the ABO blood group system has been associated with coronary artery disease, thrombosis, and a worse prognosis. The present study evaluated the distribution of blood group types in patients with heart failure (HF) and the impact on clinical outcome.

Electrocardiographic Predictors of Morbidity and Mortality in Patients With Acute Myocarditis: The Importance of QRS-T Angle.

Background: Acute myocarditis carries a variable prognosis. We evaluated the morbidity and mortality rates in patients with acute myocarditis and admission electrocardiographic predictors of outcome.

Methods And Results: Patients admitted to a tertiary hospital with a clinical diagnosis of acute myocarditis were evaluated; 193 patients were included.

Patient-Specific Tailored Intervention Improves INR Time in Therapeutic Range and INR Variability in Heart Failure Patients.

Background: Many patients with heart failure need anticoagulants, including warfarin. Good control is particularly challenging in heart failure patients, with <60% of international normalized ratio (INR) measurements in the therapeutic range, thereby increasing the risk of complications. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of a patient-specific tailored intervention on anticoagulation control in patients with heart failure.

Acute viral myocarditis: current concepts in diagnosis and treatment.

Acute myocarditis is one of the most challenging diseases to diagnose and treat in cardiology. The true incidence of the disease is unknown. Viral infection is the most common etiology.

Dexamethasone and salbutamol stimulate human lung fibroblast proliferation.

Background: Asthma is characterized by bronchial hyperreactivity and airway remodeling. Subepithelial fibrosis, a feature of remodeling, is accompanied by activation of fibroblasts to myofibroblasts, with excessive proliferation and increased collagen, extracellular matrix protein, and profibrogenic cytokine production. Mast cells are important in the development of asthma and its fibrotic changes.

MR-guided focus ultrasound (MRgFUS) for symptomatic uterine fibroids: predictors of treatment success.

Study Question: What are the factors associated with long-term success in patients with symptomatic uterine fibroids treated by magnetic resonance-guided focus ultrasound (MRgFUS) and can they be employed to create a clinically useful index that predicts long-term efficacy?

Summary Answer: Hypo-intense fibroids on T2-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and older age were associated with higher success rates and can be used to predict success rates on the basis of their presence or absence as pre-treatment parameters.

What Is Known Already: The signal intensity of baseline T2-weighted MRI images and non-perfused volume at the end of the treatment can be correlated with MRgFUS outcome.

Study Design, Size And Duration: This was a retrospective analysis of 81 patients who were treated by MRgFUS for symptomatic uterine fibroids, in an academic affiliated center between 2003 and 2008.

Advances in the differentiation of constrictive pericarditis and restrictive cardiomyopathy.

The diagnosis of constrictive pericarditis should be considered in any patient with unexplained right heart failure. The differentiation between constrictive pericarditis and restrictive cardiomyopathy is based on a combination of clinical presentation, history and imaging, and on occasion, on the basis of invasive hemodynamic studies or biopsy. Pertinent anatomic and physiologic findings on cardiac imaging modalities including echocardiography, computed tomography and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging are reviewed, and in many cases the diagnosis can be determined on the basis of imaging.

Vitamin D deficiency is a predictor of reduced survival in patients with heart failure; vitamin D supplementation improves outcome.

Aims: Vitamin D deficiency is a highly prevalent, global phenomenon. The prevalence in heart failure (HF) patients and its effect on outcome are less clear. We evaluated vitamin D levels and vitamin D supplementation in patients with HF and its effect on mortality.

Clinical outcome of patients with chronic heart failure followed in a specialized heart failure center.

Background: Patients with heart failure (HF) have a poor prognosis. Heart failure centers with specialized nurse-supervised management programs have been proposed to improve prognosis.

Objectives: To evaluate the clinical outcome of patients with HF treated at a multidisciplinary HF center of Clalit Health Services in Jerusalem in collaboration with Hadassah University Hospital.

Seasonal variation in hospital admission in patients with heart failure and its effect on prognosis.

Background: A seasonal variation in hospital admissions in patients with heart failure (HF) has been described and most admissions occur during the winter season. The effect of this seasonal variation on prognosis is less clear.

Objectives: To evaluate the effect of the seasonal timing of hospital admission on clinical outcome in patients with HF.

The significance of serum urea and renal function in patients with heart failure.

Renal function and urea are frequently abnormal in patients with heart failure (HF) and are predictive of increased mortality. The relative importance of each parameter is less clear. We prospectively compared the predictive value of renal function and serum urea on clinical outcome in patients with HF.

Invasive Scytalidium dimidiatum infection in an immunocompetent adult.

Scytalidium dimidiatum, a dematiaceous fungus, has been well established as an agent of dermatomycosis. There are few reports of invasive infection caused by S. dimidiatum; most infections occurred in immunocompromised hosts.

Clinical outcome of patients with heart failure and preserved left ventricular function.

Background: Patients with heart failure have a poor prognosis. However, it has been presumed that patients with heart failure and preserved left ventricular function (LVF) may have a more benign prognosis.

Objectives: We evaluated the clinical outcome of patients with heart failure and preserved LVF compared with patients with reduced function and the factors affecting prognosis.

The cardiovascular effect of local anesthesia with articaine plus 1:200,000 adrenalin versus lidocaine plus 1:100,000 adrenalin in medically compromised cardiac patients: a prospective, randomized, double blinded study.

Objectives: This study compared cardiovascular safety profiles of 2 local anesthetics (LA): articaine (Ubistesine) versus standard lidocaine solution in cardiovascular patients.

Study Design: Fifty cardiovascular patients were randomly assigned to dental treatment using 1.8 mL of one of two LA injections: articaine 4% and adrenalin 1:200,000 or lidocaine 2% and adrenalin 1:100,000.

[Criteria for the acceptable heart donor: maximizing the use of hearts recovered from potential donors in Israel].

The shortage of available donor hearts limits the number of cardiac transplantations worldwide and in Israel as well. This organ shortage results in 15%-20% annual mortality of heart transplant candidates. For the sub-group of hospitalized decompensated heart failure patients depending on continuous inotropic support (Status I), the annual mortality is over 50%.

Cardiac CT of the transplanted heart: indications, technique, appearance, and complications.

Effective antirejection therapy and infection control have significantly improved the long-term survival of heart transplant recipients, but coronary allograft vasculopathy remains an important limiting factor. Most heart transplant recipients undergo annual coronary angiography for the detection of allograft vasculopathy, which is often clinically silent. Angiography allows detection of vasculopathy only indirectly, with depiction of the lumen, and does not depict the wall thickening and intimal hyperplasia that typify this disease; the procedure also is invasive and is associated with a 1%-2% risk of complication.

Comparison of 4 and 6 French catheters for coronary angiography: real-world modeling.

Background: Femoral artery vascular complications are the most common adverse events following cardiac catheterization. Smaller diameter introducer sheaths and catheters are likely to lower the puncture site complication rate but may hinder visualization.

Objectives: To evaluate the safety and angiographic quality of 4 French catheters.

The diagnosis of primary cardiac lymphoma by right heart catheterization and biopsy using fluoroscopic and transthoracic echocardiographic guidance.

We describe a case of primary cardiac lymphoma diagnosed by transvenous biopsy under fluoroscopic and transthoracic echocardiographic guidance. A 38-year-old man was admitted because of exertional dyspnea. ECG revealed complete atrioventricular block.

Reduced incidence of hyperuricemia, gout, and renal failure following liver transplantation in comparison to heart transplantation: a long-term follow-up study.

Background: Hyperuricemia and gout are common complications of heart transplantation, reaching a prevalence of 84% and 30%, respectively, in heart transplant recipients. In contrast, they are seldom reported following orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT).

Methods: We retrospectively evaluated 75 consecutive liver transplant recipients and 47 consecutive heart transplant recipients, followed for at least 3 years after transplantation in a single transplantation center in Jerusalem, Israel.

Minimal surgery for the twisted ischaemic adnexa can preserve ovarian function.

Background: Recently detorsion has replaced salpingo-oophorectomy as treatment for the twisted ischaemic adnexa. This paper asssess whether the ovary resumes normal function after preservation by detorsion.

Methods: The results of detorsion performed between January 1988 and December 2001 were retrospectively analysed.

Laparoscopy versus laparotomy for detorsion and sparing of twisted ischemic adnexa.

Background: Torsion of the ovary is an urgent event for fertile women. Until recent years, the common treatment for twisted ischemic ovaries was salpingo-oophorectomy. We have demonstrated in the past that the ovary can be salvaged provided detorsion is performed.

Pregnancy outcome after laparoscopy or laparotomy in pregnancy.

Study Objective: To assess obstetric performance and fetal outcomes after laparoscopy or laparotomy performed during pregnancy.

Design: Nationwide, multicenter, retrospective chart review (Canadian Task Force classification II-2).

Setting: Seventeen hospitals throughout Israel: 12 university or university-affiliated hospitals and 5 general hospitals.