Aims: Atrial Fibrillation (AF) is an arrhythmia of increasing prevalence in the aging populations of developed countries. One of the important indicators of AF is sustained atrial dilatation, highlighting the importance of mechanical overload in the pathophysiology of AF. The mechanisms by which atrial cells, including fibroblasts, sense and react to changing mechanical forces, are not fully elucidated.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Persistent headaches and migraines are common in pediatrics with various treatment options. The sphenopalatine ganglion (SPG) has been identified as communicating with the parasympathetic autonomic nervous system and pain receptors. In adults, SPG block is an established treatment but there is no published literature in pediatrics.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground And Purpose: Spinal muscular atrophy, a genetic disease resulting in loss of motor function, presents from in utero to adulthood. Depending on progression and secondary scoliosis, spinal stabilization may be necessary. When planning intrathecal access in these patients, spinal anatomy is the most important factor.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is an autosomal-recessive neuromuscular disorder resulting in progressive muscle weakness. In December 2016, the U.S.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Acalculous cholecystitis is known to develop in critically ill patients without cystic duct obstruction. In the past, treatment for acalculous cholecystitis has been cholecystectomy; however, many children who are critically ill are Percutaneous cholecystostomy is likely the procedure of choice in this subgroup of patients.
Objective: To assess the safety and effectiveness of percutaneous cholecystostomy in critically ill and immune-compromised children with acalculous cholecystitis.