Stroke risk assessment in atrial fibrillation: risk factors and markers of atrial myopathy.

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a complex phenomenon associated with electrical, mechanical, and structural abnormalities of the atria. Ischaemic stroke in AF is only partially understood, but the mechanisms are known to be related to the atrial substrate as well as the atrial rhythm. The temporal dissociation between timing of AF and occurrence of stroke has led to the hypothesis that fibrotic, prothrombotic atrial tissue is an important cause of thrombus formation in patients with AF, independent of the atrial rhythm.

Effects of aripiprazole on the QTc: a case report.

The use of neuroleptics in the elderly has been a topic of debate since 2005 when the US Food and Drug Administration issued a black-box warning of increased risk of mortality in elderly patients with dementia-related psychosis. Antipsychotic alternatives such as divalproex are sometimes favored on an "off-label" basis to manage agitation in the demented elderly, and antipsychotic use is often clinically necessary to treat psychosis in older adults, with or without dementia. Concurrently, risk for iatrogenic corrected QT (QTc) prolongation on electrocardiogram (ECG) remains a concern with the use of many antipsychotic agents because of its associated potential for fatal arrhythmias.

Clinical impact of atrial fibrillation in patients with the HeartMate II left ventricular assist device.

Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is common in patients with the HeartMate II (HMII) left ventricular assist device (LVAD), but the impact of AF on clinical outcomes is uncertain.

Objectives: This study sought to determine the effect of AF on outcomes in patients with the HMII LVAD.

Methods: Records of 106 patients who underwent HMII implantation at a single center were reviewed.

The role of implantable cardioverter-defibrillators in patients with continuous flow left ventricular assist devices.

Background: The prognosis for patients experiencing ventricular arrhythmias (VAs) while on continuous flow left ventricular assist device (LVAD) support has not been well elucidated. Accordingly, the role of implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs) in this patient population remains undefined.

Methods And Results: Records of 106 consecutive patients undergoing implantation of the HeartMate II LVAD at a single center were reviewed.