Exercise intolerance and multiple conduction abnormalities as first manifestation of cardiac sarcoidosis.

Sarcoidosis is a multisystem disorder of unknown cause, characterized pathologically by noncaseating granulomas. It is more commonly seen in younger adults and African Americans. Myocardial involvement occurs in at least 25% of patients with sarcoidosis and is associated with poor prognosis.

A novel approach to the diagnosis of left atrial appendage thrombus using contrast echocardiography and power Doppler imaging.

Background: Transesophageal echocardiography is performed routinely among patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) in order to exclude left atrial appendage (LAA) thrombus prior to cardioversion. Because assessment for LAA thrombus is dependent upon the experience of the operator and is therefore subjective, there remains a subset of patients in whom the diagnosis may not be definitive. The purpose of this report is to present a novel technique which may aid in the confirmation and/or exclusion of LAA thrombus using contrast echocardiography (CE) and power Doppler (PD) imaging.

Relation between body mass index and clinical outcome in acute myocardial infarction.

Obesity has long been identified as a risk factor for coronary artery disease. However, the data evaluating outcomes in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) related to body mass index (BMI) are limited and inconsistent. Patients (n = 284) who were diagnosed with AMI at the Medical College of Georgia from January 1, 2003 to June 25, 2004, were included in this retrospective analysis.

Characteristics of patients with cervical spinal injury requiring permanent pacemaker implantation.

Acute cervical spinal cord injury frequently results in bradydysrhythmia, which may lead to hypotension and asystole. Such symptoms are more common in the first 2 weeks after the injury. Treatment modalities include atropine, epinephrine, aminophylline, and pacemaker insertion.