Left atrial, pulmonary vein, and left atrial appendage anatomy in Indigenous individuals: Implications for atrial fibrillation.

Background: Indigenous Australians experience a greater burden of AF. Whether this is in-part due to differences in arrhythmogenic structures that appear to contribute to AF differences amongst other ethnicities is not known.

Methods: We studied forty individuals matched for ethnicity and other AF risk factors.

Management and Outcomes of Prosthetic Valve Thrombosis. An Australian Case Series From the Northern Territory.

Background: Prosthetic valve thrombosis (PVT) is an uncommon but serious cause of morbidity and mortality after cardiac valve implantation. The most common cause leading to PVT is inadequate anticoagulation. Royal Darwin Hospital is a major referral centre for the Top End of Australia and is unique in having a high burden of rheumatic heart disease (RHD) requiring valve surgery, issues with adherence with oral anticoagulants, and the absence of onsite cardiothoracic facility.

Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy Associated With Work-Place Bullying.

Background: Takotsubo cardiomyopathy (TC) is a condition of transient left ventricular dysfunction precipitated by acute physical or emotional stress. The pathogenesis of TC is not well understood, but it is known to predominantly affect postmenopausal women in the context of physical or emotional triggers.

Aims: To describe a case of TC with an association to a never previously described work place stressor of bullying.