Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO): What We Need to Know.

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is a form of circulatory support used in patients with refractory cardiac and/or respiratory failure. The main role of such support is to allow the lungs and heart to rest and heal while providing adequate oxygenation to vital organs. During extracorporeal support, the venous blood removed is decarboxylated, oxygenated, warmed, and infused back into the circulation.

Sensor Enabled Catheter Ablation Study (SECAS).

Background EnSite Precision technology (Abbott, Chicago, Illinois) is a novel mapping and navigation system facilitating the visualization and manipulation of intracardiac catheters during arrhythmia ablation procedures. When using Sensor Enabled (SE) catheters (Abbott, Chicago, Illinois), the mapping system uses both electrical impedance and magnetic data to facilitate more accurate mapping and navigation. Whether this translates into better clinical outcomes is unknown.

Dopamine in Idiopathic Polymorphic Ventricular Tachycardia/Ventricular Fibrillation.

The role of medical therapy in the treatment of idiopathic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia (IPMVT) and idiopathic ventricular fibrillation (IVF) is not well established. Current medications in use include amiodarone, lidocaine, isoproterenol, verapamil, and quinidine. However, the use of dopamine for controlling such arrhythmias has never been described.

The Correlation Between Gender and Accessory Pathways.

Background Accessory pathways (APs) are muscular bundles capable of rapid conduction between atria and ventricles. They can be located anywhere along the atrioventricular groove or septum. The etiology of such pathways is generally unknown.

Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Dysplasia and Brugada Syndrome Overlap.

Arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia (ARVD) and Brugada syndrome( BS) are associated with an increased risk of sudden cardiac death. Although they are described as two different entities, research suggests that they are not entirely separate. This paper presents a 55 years old male who presented for syncope.

Periodontal parameters in adult patients with clear aligners orthodontics treatment versus three other types of brackets: A cross-sectional study.

Objective: To assess the gingival parameters in the clear aligner treatment versus the three other types of brackets, i.e., conventional metal, conventional ceramic, and metal self-ligating.

Atrial fibrillation in heart failure: catheter and surgical interventional therapies.

Atrial fibrillation and heart failure commonly coexist in the same patient. Each may adversely affect the other. Atrial fibrillation leads to heart failure exacerbation, left ventricular function deterioration and an increase in thrombo-embolic risk.

Current reperfusion strategies for ST-elevation myocardial infarction in an academic medical center in a developing country: efficacy of primary percutaneous coronary intervention.

Objectives: To study the reperfusion strategies currently being used in the treatment of ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) at an academic medical center in a developing country and to analyze the door-to-balloon time (DBT) in those patients undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

Methods: The study included all patients presenting with STEMI to the emergency department at the American University of Beirut Medical Center between July 2008 and February 2010. Data were collected prospectively from the patients' medical records.

Evaluation of the appropriateness criteria for coronary computed tomography angiography in an academic medical center in a developing country: comparison of the 2006 and 2010 criteria.

Background: The aims of this study are to analyze the risk profile and evaluate the appropriateness of patient referral to coronary CT angiography in a new MSCT laboratory in an academic medical center in a developing country.

Methods And Results: The study population consisted of 100 consecutive patients (mean age 53 ± 13 years, 83% males) who were referred to the new 64 slice MSCT laboratory at the American University of Beirut between July 2008 and July 2009. 52% of patients had chest pain and 48% were asymptomatic.