How Often Does Apical Sparing of Longitudinal Strain Indicate the Presence of Cardiac Amyloidosis?

Echocardiographic diagnosis of cardiac amyloidosis (CA) is frequently suggested by the presence of a left ventricular (LV) apical sparing pattern (ASP) on longitudinal strain (LS) assessment, the so-called "cherry on top" pattern, defined by strain magnitude preserved exclusively at the apex. However, it is unclear how frequently this strain pattern truly represents CA. This study aimed to evaluate the predictive value of ASP in the diagnosis of CA.

Multiple Intracardiac Masses Involving 3 Chambers of the Heart.

• A 42-year-old man presented with multiple cardiac masses. • Metastatic disease is far more prevalent than primary cardiac tumors. • Multimodality imaging aids in the diagnostic and management strategy.

Prevalence and predictors of atrial arrhythmias in patients with sinus node dysfunction and atrial pacing.

Purpose: This study aimed to determine the incidence, prevalence, and predictors of atrial arrhythmias (AAs) in patients with symptomatic sinus node dysfunction (SND) who required permanent pacemaker implantation. Also, we evaluated the impact of atrial pacing (AP) on AAs.

Methods: All consecutive patients who underwent pacemaker implantation from 2005 to 2011 were included.

What Is the Clinical Utility of Intravascular Ultrasound?

Purpose Of Review: This article reviews the contemporary evidence base for use of coronary intravascular ultrasound (IVUS).

Recent Findings: Recent studies have strongly associated IVUS guidance during percutaneous coronary angioplasty (PCI) with lower major adverse cardiac events (MACE), stent thrombosis, and in selected groups, mortality. The PROSPECT study found in acute coronary syndromes patients, IVUS-determined minimal luminal area ≤ 4.

Impact of high-grade atrioventricular block and cumulative frequent pacing on atrial arrhythmias.

Background: The relationship between high-grade atrioventricular block (HGAVB) with cumulative frequent pacing and risk of atrial arrhythmias (AAs) has not been well characterized. We hypothesized HGAVB and pacing may have significant impact on incidence and prevalence of AAs by modulating atrial substrate.

Objective: To determine impact of HGAVB and pacing on AAs including atrial fibrillation (AF), atrial flutter (AFL), and atrial tachycardia (AT).

Considerations in the management of giant frontal mucoceles with significant intracranial extension: A systematic review.

Background: Giant frontal mucoceles, characterized by significant intracranial and/or intraorbital extension, can present with significant neurologic symptoms. Although typical mucoceles are managed endoscopically, giant mucoceles are often treated with an open or combined approach due to various concerns, including frontal lobe displacement, size, and rapid decompression of the intracranial component. The impact of significant intracranial extension on outcomes is not well described.

Teaching professionalism in graduate medical education: What is the role of simulation?

Background: We systematically reviewed the literature concerning simulation-based teaching and assessment of the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education professionalism competencies to elucidate best practices and facilitate further research.

Methods: A systematic review of English literature for "professionalism" and "simulation(s)" yielded 697 abstracts. Two independent raters chose abstracts that (1) focused on graduate medical education, (2) described the simulation method, and (3) used simulation to train or assess professionalism.

Acute obstructive suppurative pancreatic ductitis in an asymptomatic patient.

Acute obstructive suppurative pancreatic ductitis (AOSPD), defined as suppuration from the pancreatic duct without associated pseudocyst, abscess, or necrosis, is a rare complication of chronic pancreatitis. We present the first case of AOSPD in an asymptomatic patient with a polymicrobial infection and review the literature on this rare clinical entity.

Multidisciplinary approach to converting power chair into motorized prone cart.

Pressure ulcers remain a major source of morbidity and mortality in veterans with neurologic impairment. Management of pressure ulcers typically involves pressure relief over skin regions containing wounds, but this can lead to loss of mobility and independence when the wounds are located in regions that receive pressure from sitting. An innovative, low-cost, multidisciplinary effort was undertaken to maximize quality of life in a veteran with a thoracic-4 level complete spinal cord injury and a stage 4 ischial wound.

Network modulation during complex syntactic processing.

Complex sentence processing is supported by a left-lateralized neural network including inferior frontal cortex and posterior superior temporal cortex. This study investigates the pattern of connectivity and information flow within this network. We used fMRI BOLD data derived from 12 healthy participants reported in an earlier study (Thompson, C.