The indications for the use of implantable loop recorders include the evaluation of unexplained palpitations and syncope, embolic stroke of undetermined source, dizziness and lightheadedness presumed to be due to arrhythmogenic etiology, and for atrial fibrillation to guide antiarrhythmic drug therapy or catheter ablation efficacy. Long-term monitoring is especially beneficial if symptoms occur sporadically or are asymptomatic in nature. This is the first case to our knowledge of an acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction which was identified from remote monitoring of an implantable loop recorder through a device clinic.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFCryptogenic stroke (CS) represents one-third of all ischaemic strokes. Studies have shown approximately that half of patients with CS have concomitant patent foramen ovale (PFO), with clear data supporting paradoxical embolization as an aetiology of CS. This article is the first of a multi-part review and will detail the history of PFO closure and the clinical trials that have evaluated the efficacy of PFO device closure.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPurpose: Targeted treatment for pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), diagnosed via right heart catheterization (RHC), has been shown to improve morbidity and mortality. Identifying characteristics that predict clinical worsening has been challenging. We sought to evaluate the role of cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging (CMR) as a predictor of clinical worsening in a cohort of treatment-naïve pulmonary hypertension (PH) patients.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFIn view of hemorrhagic and prothrombotic tendencies, ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients with chronic hematologic malignancies (CHM) are felt to be at a higher risk and hence denied standard reperfusion strategies. In-hospital outcomes of CHM patients presenting with STEMI are unclear. The Nationwide Inpatient Sample data files from 2003 to 2014 were used to extract adult patients who presented with a primary diagnosis of STEMI.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Online health information is being used more ubiquitously by the general population. However, this information typically favors only a small percentage of readers, which can result in suboptimal medical outcomes for patients.
Objective: The readability of online patient education materials regarding the topic of congestive heart failure was assessed through six readability assessment tools.