The association between thromboembolic complications and blood group in patients with atrial fibrillation.

Objective: To determine whether blood type affects the risk of thromboembolic complications in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF).

Patients And Methods: The Mayo Clinic electronic medical record was searched (between January 1, 2004, and December 31, 2010) to identify all patients with AF with blood group assessment. Records were analyzed for stroke, transient ischemic attack, left atrium appendage thrombus, cerebral or peripheral embolism, and hemorrhagic stroke.

Perioperative risk of major non-cardiac surgery in patients with severe aortic stenosis: a reappraisal in contemporary practice.

Aims: Severe aortic stenosis (SAS) is a major risk factor for death after non-cardiac surgery, but most supporting data are from studies over a decade old. We evaluated the risk of non-cardiac surgery in patients with SAS in contemporary practice.

Methods And Results: SAS patients (valve area ≤1 cm(2), mean gradient ≥40 mmHg or peak aortic velocity ≥4 m/s) undergoing intermediate or high-risk surgery were identified from surgical and echo databases of 2000-2010.