Congenital Absence of the Left Atrial Appendage: Role of Multimodality Imaging.

• Congenital abLAA is extremely rare. • AbLAA can occasionally present with other coexisting cardiac anomalies. • Knowledge of abLAA is necessary to fully exclude thrombus prior to cardioversion.

Unusually located left atrial papillary fibroelastoma with probable embolization to the spinal cord.

This report presents a patient with flaccid paraplegia, most probably secondary to embolization from a left atrial papillary fibroelastoma. The unique location of the tumor, attached to the ridge in the left atrium between the left atrial appendage and pulmonary vein, was well documented on transesophageal echocardiography, and the diagnosis was confirmed by histopathology. Although benign, these tumors may develop in all four cardiac chambers and result in pulmonary or systemic embolization.

The role of exercise in rehabilitation for patients with end-stage renal disease.

End-stage renal disease (ESRD) is a major health problem in the United States. Many patients with ESRD experience a decline in physical functioning as a result of the disease process and its associated sequelae. Cardiovascular changes, anemia, and skeletal muscle weakness contribute significantly to this decreased capacity, leading, in many instances, to a primarily sedentary lifestyle.

Needs assessment as a marketing strategy: an experience for baccalaureate nursing students.

A marketing needs assessment was undertaken as a community health project for baccalaureate nursing students. The objective of the project were: (1) to conduct a needs assessment utilizing the concepts of marketing in health planning, and (2) to identify health needs of a community based on active participation by members of the community. Through a collaborative effort with a community health agency, students were able to integrate the principles of marketing and participative decision-making into a learning experience.