Risk predictors of stroke and mortality after ablation for atrial fibrillation: the California experience 2005-2009.

Background: Ablation (ABL) is a second-line therapy for the management of atrial fibrillation (AF). Single-center studies have demonstrated the safety and efficacy of ABL; however, the low event rates render it difficult to assess predictors of major adverse events.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine the population-based incidence of data and risk factors for both stroke <30 days and death after AF ABL.

Evaluation of an exercise field test using heart rate monitors to assess cardiorespiratory fitness and heart rate recovery in an asymptomatic population.

Purpose: Measures of cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) and heart rate recovery (HRR) can improve risk stratification for cardiovascular disease, but these measurements are rarely made in asymptomatic individuals due to cost. An exercise field test (EFT) to assess CRF and HRR would be an inexpensive method for cardiovascular disease risk assessment in large populations. This study assessed 1) the predictive accuracy of a 12-minute run/walk EFT for estimating CRF ([Formula: see text]) and 2) the accuracy of HRR measured after an EFT using a heart rate monitor (HRM) in an asymptomatic population.

Effect of coronary artery disease extent on contemporary outcomes of combined aortic valve replacement and coronary artery bypass graft surgery.

Background: Concomitant aortic valve replacement (AVR) and coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG) is a common procedure. Whether the extent of coronary artery disease (CAD) influences outcomes of AVR plus CABG is unknown.

Methods: All AVR plus CABG cases from 2008 to 2010 were extracted from the California CABG Outcomes Reporting Program database.