The influence of atrial high-rate episodes on stroke and cardiovascular death: an update.

Atrial high-rate episodes (AHRE) are atrial tachyarrhythmias detected by continuous rhythm monitoring by pacemakers, defibrillators, or implantable cardiac monitors. Atrial high-rate episodes occur in 10-30% of elderly patients without atrial fibrillation. However, it remains unclear whether the presence of these arrhythmias has therapeutic consequences.

Impact of surgical case order on epiretinal membrane peeling surgery.

Objective: To determine whether surgical warm-up affects epiretinal membrane (ERM) peeling complication rates and surgical case times.

Setting: Jewish General Hospital, Montreal, QC, Canada.

Design: Retrospective case-control study.

Early Laparoscopic Ileostomy Reversal After Rectal Cancer Surgery - Technique and Outcomes.

A temporary diverting ileostomy (TDI) is performed in a significant number of patients undergoing colorectal surgery. The best timing for ileostomy reversal (IR), early or late after its formation and the proper technique used for its closure are controversial.The objective of the present study is to describe the particular aspects of the laparoscopic technique of ileostomy reversal and to analyze the outcomes of its early closure.

Retrobulbar anaesthesia for adjustable strabismus surgery in adults: a prospective observational study.

Objective: To characterize the ocular response to retrobulbar anaesthesia and to evaluate the efficacy of retrobulbar anaesthesia for adjustable strabismus surgery in adults.

Design: Prospective observational study.

Participants: Adult patients undergoing adjustable strabismus surgery under retrobulbar anaesthesia.

Relation of Stroke and Bleeding Risk Profiles to Efficacy and Safety of Edoxaban for Cardioversion of Atrial Fibrillation (from the EdoxabaN versus warfarin in subjectS UndeRgoing cardiovErsion of Atrial Fibrillation [ENSURE-AF] Study).

In the EdoxabaN versus warfarin in subjectS UndeRgoing cardiovErsion of Atrial Fibrillation (ENSURE-AF) study, edoxaban was compared with enoxaparin-warfarin in patients who underwent electrical cardioversion of nonvalvular atrial fibrillation, showing comparable low rates of bleeding and thromboembolism. The present study is an ancillary analysis investigating differences in relation to stroke and bleeding risk profiles. It also determined the relation of patients' clinical risk profiles to the quality of anticoagulation control in the warfarin arm.

Cost of Ulcerative Colitis in Quebec, Canada: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

Background: Ulcerative colitis (UC) is associated with significant health care utilization and costs. We assessed UC direct medical costs in Quebec, Canada, in 2 time periods (1998-2004 and 2005-2011) and determined changes over time.

Methods: Because the introduction of anti-tumor necrosis factor α may have influenced the UC cost, we used the Quebec health services administrative databases and the same inclusion criteria to create 2 separate UC cohorts, before (1998-2004) and after (2005-2011) anti-tumor necrosis factor α introduction.

Xpert MTB/RIF testing in a low tuberculosis incidence, high-resource setting: limitations in accuracy and clinical impact.

Background: Xpert MTB/RIF, the first automated molecular test for tuberculosis, is transforming the diagnostic landscape in low-income countries. However, little information is available on its performance in low-incidence, high-resource countries.

Methods: We evaluated the accuracy of Xpert in a university hospital tuberculosis clinic in Montreal, Canada, for the detection of pulmonary tuberculosis on induced sputum samples, using mycobacterial cultures as the reference standard.

Prevention and treatment of virulent bacterial biofilms with an enzymatic nitric oxide-releasing dressing.

The use of percutaneous medical devices often results in nosocomial infections. Attachment of microorganisms to the surfaces of these medical devices triggers biofilm formation, which presents significant complications to the health of a patient and may lead to septicemia, thromboembolism, or endocarditis if not correctly treated. Although several antimicrobials are commonly used for prevention of biofilm formation, they have limited efficacy against formed biofilms.

Ezetimibe/simvastatin 10/40 mg versus atorvastatin 40 mg in high cardiovascular risk patients with primary hypercholesterolemia: a randomized, double-blind, active-controlled, multicenter study.

Background: A considerable number of patients with severely elevated LDL-C do not achieve recommended treatment targets, despite treatment with statins. Adults at high cardiovascular risk with hypercholesterolemia and LDL-C ≥ 2.59 and ≤ 4.