Association between anti-seizure medications and cardiac arrhythmias in patients undergoing ambulatory electroencephalographic and electrocardiographic monitoring.

Background Anti-seizure medications (ASMs) are commonly prescribed in epilepsy. However some have been associated with adverse cardiac outcomes including cardiac arrhythmias. Methods We conducted an observational study evaluating patients aged ≥16 years undergoing ambulatory video - electroencephalographic (EEG) - electrocardiographic (ECG) monitoring (AVEEM) between 2020 and 2023 in Australia.

Pulmonary veno-occlusive disease: A systematic review of risk factors, clinical presentation, diagnostic investigations, treatment outcomes and prognostic factors.

Pulmonary veno-occlusive disease (PVOD) is a rare cause of pulmonary hypertension. We aimed to systematically evaluate published cases of PVOD to provide an overview of their clinical presentation, management and prognosis to assist early identification and treatment. We conducted a literature search of PubMed and Embase databases for adult cases of 'pulmonary veno-occlusive disease' and 'pulmonary capillary haemangiomatosis'.

Epilepsy and Cardiac Arrhythmias: A State-of-the-Art Review.

Epilepsy is an important cause of disability and mortality worldwide. It can be frequently misdiagnosed, and detailed history and relevant investigations are needed to differentiate epilepsy from syncope. Electroencephalogram is a key noninvasive assessment of neurological function, and the diagnostic yield is increased when performed for an extended period in the ambulatory setting with concurrent electrocardiogram and video monitoring.

The Use of the Neutrophil-Lymphocyte Ratio and Platelet-Lymphocyte Ratio in Predicting Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation Mortality.

Aim: Neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and platelet-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) are simple biomarkers that reflect systemic inflammation and are associated with adverse cardiovascular disease outcomes. The utility of NLR and PLR for risk prediction following transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) is not clear.

Method: We retrospectively analysed a prospectively maintained database of patients who underwent TAVI at a tertiary hospital from 2009 to 2022.

Concurrent left ventricular and left anterior coronary artery thrombus: is COVID-19 an innocent bystander?

We present the angiographic findings of a case of myocardial infarction associated with COVID-19 with a heavy burden of thrombus, despite only minor obstructive coronary disease.

Pacing-induced cardiomyopathy: A systematic review and meta-analysis of definition, prevalence, risk factors, and management.

Pacing-induced cardiomyopathy is a potential complication of right ventricular pacing. Definition varies between studies and the optimal management approach is uncertain. We aimed to characterize definition, prevalence, risk factors, and treatment strategies of pacing-induced cardiomyopathy (PiCM).

Sudden cardiac death related to physical exercise in the young: a nationwide cohort study of Australia.

Background: Sudden cardiac death (SCD) during physical exercise is devastating.

Aims: To evaluate causes and circumstances of exercise-related SCD in the young in Australia.

Methods: We reviewed the National Coronial Information System database for deaths in Australia relating to cardiovascular disease in cases aged 10-35 years between 2000 and 2016.

Sudden Cardiac Death in the Young: Incidence, Trends, and Risk Factors in a Nationwide Study.

Background: Sudden cardiac death (SCD) in the young is devastating. Contemporary incidence remains unclear with few recent nationwide studies and limited data addressing risk factors for causes. We aimed to determine incidence, trends, causes, and risk factors for SCD in the young.

Frailty in patients with aortic stenosis awaiting intervention.

Aortic stenosis (AS) is a common valvular disease in older age. Definitive interventions include surgical aortic valve replacement or transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI). In high-risk patients, frailty is observed in up to 50% awaiting TAVI.

Accuracy of wrist-worn heart rate monitors for rate control assessment in atrial fibrillation.

Background: Wrist-worn heart rate (HR) monitors are increasingly popular. A paucity of data exists on their accuracy in atrial fibrillation (AF) in ambulatory patients. We sought to assess the HR accuracy of two commercially available smart watches [SW] (Fitbit Charge HR [FB] and Apple Watch Series 3 [AW]) compared with Holter monitoring in an ambulant patient cohort.

Imaging in Suspected Cardiac Sarcoidosis: A Diagnostic Challenge.

Cardiac Sarcoidosis (CS) represents a unique diagnostic dilemma. Guidelines have been recently revised to reflect the established role of sophisticated imaging techniques. Trans-thoracic Echocardiography (TTE) is widely adopted for initial screening of CS.

Permanent pacing and conduction recovery in patients undergoing cardiac surgery for active infective endocarditis in an Australian Tertiary Center.

Background: Postoperative heart block is common among patients undergoing surgery for infective endocarditis (IE). Limited data exists allowing cardiologists to predict who will require permanent pacemaker (PPM) implantation postoperatively. We aimed to determine the rate of postoperative PPM insertion, predictors for postoperative PPM, and describe PPM utilization and rates of device-related infection during follow-up.

Computed tomographic coronary angiography in risk stratification prior to non-cardiac surgery: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objectives: Utility of CT coronary angiography (CTA) and coronary artery calcium (CAC) scoring in risk stratification prior to non-cardiac surgery is unclear. Although current guidelines recommend stress testing in intermediate-high risk individuals, over one-third of perioperative major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) occur in patients with a negative study. This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluates the value of CTA and CAC score in preoperative risk prognostication prior to non-cardiac surgery.

Outcomes of incidental findings on multi-detector computed tomography for transcatheter aortic valve implantation assessment: A single-centre study and review of the literature.

Introduction: Patients with severe aortic stenosis (AS) require multi-detector computed tomography (MDCT) when considered for transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI). Incidental findings on MDCT are common given the age group and region imaged. Our aim was to evaluate the frequency and outcome of incidental findings (IF) identified on MDCT and the impact on survival.

Timing of brain metastases development in metastatic renal cell cancer patients treated with targeted therapies and survival outcomes: An Australian multicenter study.

Aim: Targeted therapy (TT) has improved survival for metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC). However, survival is usually limited if brain metastases (BMs) develop. We aimed to evaluate survival outcomes in mRCC patients based on timing of BM diagnosis.

Mitral Valve Prolapse and Sudden Cardiac Death: A Systematic Review.

Background The relationship between mitral valve prolapse ( MVP ) and sudden cardiac death ( SCD ) remains controversial. In this systematic review, we evaluate the relationship between isolated MVP and SCD to better define a potential high-risk subtype. In addition, we determine whether premortem parameters could predict SCD in patients with MVP and the incidence of SCD in MVP .

Communicating prognosis of patients with advanced cancer between health care providers: a tertiary cancer center review of written correspondence.

Background: Communication of prognosis and goals of care between oncologists, community health care providers (HCPs) and patients treated for advanced cancer facilitates optimal care planning. We aimed to review the frequency, content and timing of documented prognosis in written correspondence during the last year of life of advanced cancer patients.

Methods: All patients who died during palliative care or medical oncology admission in 2015 at a large, Australian tertiary center were identified.

Routine blood investigations have limited utility in surveillance of aggressive lymphoma in asymptomatic patients in complete remission.

Background: Patients with aggressive lymphoma achieving complete remission (CR) after first-line combination chemotherapy undergo regular surveillance to detect relapse. Current international guidelines recommend routine follow-up blood tests in this context, but evidence supporting this practice is limited.

Methods: We conducted a multi-centre retrospective analysis of all patients diagnosed with aggressive lymphoma treated with curative-intent chemotherapy who achieved CR for at least 3 months between 2000 and 2015.