Inflammatory-mediated atrial cardiomyopathy diagnosed using multimodality imaging and successfully treated with prednisolone: a case report.

Background: Atrial fibrillation is a common cardiac arrhythmia and often develops secondary to structural cardiac changes. Both the occurrence of atrial fibrillation and/or structural changes of the heart may lead to development of atrial cardiomyopathy and heart failure (HF). However, isolated atrial cardiomyopathy caused by focal atrial thickening is a rare condition, previously only described in case reports as a result of different aetiologies all linked to inflammation.

Incorrect storage of medicines and potential for cost savings.

Objective: Incorrect storage and handling of refrigerated medicines may result in destruction of medicines and financial loss for hospitals. At the Medicine Information Centre we receive and answer queries on drug-related issues. In this study we aimed to investigate and quantify savings made following advice supplied by the Medicine Information Centre in reply to queries regarding the incorrect storage of refrigerated medicines.

Visualization and attentive behavior for pain reduction during radiofrequency ablation of atrial fibrillation.

Background: Radiofrequency (RF) ablation of atrial fibrillation (AF) can be accompanied by pain and anxiety when light conscious sedation is used. We sought to determine how visualization and structured attentive behavior during ablation of AF could reduce pain intensity, spontaneously expressed pain, the amount of analgesics, anxiety, and adverse events.

Methods: A clinical controlled study with 71 patients in a control group (CG), receiving conventional care and treatment, and 76 patients in an intervention group (IG), receiving relaxation and visualization, combined with a structured attentive behavior from staff.

Life events and onset of a new phase in bipolar affective disorder.

Background: There is an increasing focus on the impact of psychosocial factors and stressors on the course of bipolar affective disorder. The life event research has revealed many biases and the results are conflicting. In a prospective study we examined the relationship between life events and affective phases in a group of bipolar patients with a long duration of the disease.

[Blood cultures--indication and antibiotic therapy].

Introduction: The purpose of this study was 1) to record the indication for obtaining blood cultures by registration of rectal temperature and presumed focus or symptoms 2) to register the choice of antibiotic therapy immediately after obtaining the blood culture and to relate it to the indication and 3) to evaluate the indication and choice of antibiotic therapy on the basis of the blood culture result.

Material And Methods: The study is a retrospective study of all blood cultures obtained at a department of internal medicine. In all 432 defined episodes, where blood cultures were obtained, the rectal temperature and the presumed focus or symptoms were registered.