RR interval analysis for detection of Atrial Fibrillation in ECG monitors.

We investigate two RR irregularity measures suitable for Atrial Fibrillation (AFIB) detection in ECG monitors, one based on the absolute deviation and the other based on the difference between successive RR intervals. A sequence of RR intervals is fed to the irregularity measures after applying certain constraints on length and beat classifications to provide criteria for detection of AFIB. Receiver Operating Curves (ROC) are used to analyze and compare the performance of the two methods against MIT-BIH Arrhythmia Database, MIT-BIH AFIB Database and a proprietary AFIB Database.

Diclofenac reduces the incidence of acute pancreatitis after endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography.

Background & Aims: Acute pancreatitis following endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography presents a unique opportunity for prophylaxis and early modification of the disease process because the initial triggering event is temporally well defined and takes place in the hospital. We report a prospective, single-center, randomized, double-blind controlled trial to determine if rectal diclofenac reduces the incidence of pancreatitis following cholangiopancreatography.

Methods: Entry to the trial was restricted to patients who underwent endoscopic retrograde pancreatography or had manometrically verified sphincter of Oddi hypertension.