Normal pulmonary veins anatomy is associated with better AF-free survival after cryoablation as compared to atypical anatomy with common left pulmonary vein.

Background: Pulmonary vein cryoablation (PVC) is a new approach in the treatment of recurrent atrial fibrillation (AF). Computed tomography (CT) can be used to evaluate the left atrium anatomy and PVs dimensions to facilitate the procedure. In radiofrequency procedures, some anatomic variants such as common left (CLPV) or right (CRPV) PV were reported as factors associated with technical procedure difficulties and potential long-term complications.

Dual balloon size strategy for cryoisolation of the pulmonary veins in patients with atrial fibrillation: comparison of 23 and 28mm diameter cryoballoons.

Background: Systematic use of a 28mm balloon has been proposed for pulmonary vein cryoisolation in patients with atrial fibrillation.

Objective: To assess the results of a dual balloon size strategy using a 23 or 28mm cryoballoon catheter for pulmonary vein isolation.

Methods: A total of 118 patients (mean age 56 ± 10 years) with paroxysmal (n=85) or persistent atrial fibrillation (n=33) were enrolled.

Heart failure in left-sided native valve infective endocarditis: characteristics, prognosis, and results of surgical treatment.

Aims: Although congestive heart failure (CHF) represents the most common cause of death in native valve infective endocarditis (IE), recent data on the outcome of IE complicated by CHF are lacking. We aimed to analyse the characteristics and prognosis of patients with left-sided native valve IE complicated by CHF and to evaluate the impact of early surgery on 1 year outcome.

Methods And Results: Two hundred and fifty-nine consecutive patients with definite left-sided native valve IE according to the Duke criteria were included in this analysis.

Infective endocarditis in elderly patients: clinical characteristics and outcome.

Background: The aim of this study was to describe a single unit experience for the treatment of acute infective endocarditis, for patients older than 75 years and to analyse the results of early surgery.

Patients And Methods: From January 1991 to June 2006 348 consecutive patients with definite acute infective endocarditis, according to Duke criteria, were prospectively enrolled in our database. Among these, 75 patients older than 75 years (mean age 79.

Predictors of death and impact of surgery in Staphylococcus aureus infective endocarditis.

Background: We studied a large cohort of adults with Staphylococcus aureus infective endocarditis to evaluate the predictors of outcome and to establish whether early surgery is associated with reduced mortality.

Methods: The study prospectively enrolled 116 consecutive patients with definite S. aureus infective endocarditis, according to Duke criteria and examined by transthoracic and transesophageal echocardiography.

Impact of cerebrovascular complications on mortality and neurologic outcome during infective endocarditis: a prospective multicentre study.

Aims: To analyse the risk of death according to the type of cerebrovascular complications (CVC) during infective endocarditis (IE) and to analyse the determinants of outcome in patients with IE and a CVC.

Methods And Results: In two referral centres, 496 consecutive patients with definite IE were prospectively included. Cerebral CT scan was performed in 453 patients.