Treatment patterns in anticoagulant therapy in patients with newly diagnosed atrial fibrillation in Belgium: results from the GARFIELD-AF registry.

AF, anticoagulation, NOACs, changing patterns of prescription. We describe baseline data and treatment patterns of patients recruited in Belgium in the Global Anticoagulant Registry in the FIELD-Atrial Fibrillation (GARFIELD-AF). Recruitment began when novel oral anticoagulants (NOACs) were introduced and provides a unique picture of changing treatment patterns over time.

Cardiac platypnea-orthodeoxia syndrome induced by a low-volume state.

We present the case of a 85-year-old patient admitted with palpitations and dyspnea. When assuming a recumbent position, we noticed a significant improvement in dyspnea, as well as a rise in arterial oxygen saturation. This is a typical presentation of platypnea-orthodeoxia syndrome (POS).

Left ventricular sensing and pacing for sensing difficulties in internal cardioverter defibrillator therapy for arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy.

Arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC) is a disease where therapy with an internal cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) is frequently indicated, but the use of these devices is often challenged because of sensing dysfunction with low right ventricular sensing amplitude. We present the case of an ARVC patient in whom ICD sensing difficulties were overcome by the implantation of a coronary sinus lead for pacing and sensing.

Long-term safety, tolerability and efficacy of combination therapy with aliskiren and amlodipine in patients with hypertension.

Objective: Most patients with hypertension require antihypertensive combination therapy to achieve BP control. This study investigated the safety and efficacy of the direct renin inhibitor aliskiren combined with the calcium channel blocker amlodipine.

Methods: Overall, 556 patients with hypertension (msDBP > or =95-<110 mmHg) received open-label aliskiren/amlodipine 150/5 mg for 2 weeks, followed by forced titration to aliskiren/amlodipine 300/10 mg for 52 weeks.

Persistent ductus arteriosus in the adult: clinical features and experience with percutaneous closure.

Persistent ductus arteriosus in the adult carries a risk for becoming symptomatic with dyspnoea or palpitations, developing infective endarteritis, and finally for developing pulmonary hypertension with ensuing heart failure morbidity and mortality. Surgical closure is considered more and more to be outdated as first choice treatment since percutaneous closure is a safe and effective alternative. Only the Eisenmenger syndrome remains a clear contra-indication for closure, whether surgical or interventional.