Atrial premature activity detected after an ischaemic stroke unveils atrial myopathy.

Background: Recent publications suggest that left atrial (LA) myopathy is a potential source of thromboembolism, independent of atrial fibrillation.

Aims: We sought to investigate whether the presence of atrial premature activity after an ischaemic stroke is associated with LA remodelling and dysfunction, and might be a surrogate marker of LA myopathy.

Methods: After an ischaemic stroke or a transient ischaemic attack, patients without known atrial fibrillation or overt heart disease were included prospectively in the study.

Left atrial remodelling assessed by 2D and 3D echocardiography identifies paroxysmal atrial fibrillation.

Aims: Paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF) is common, often silent, and can be difficult to detect. Echocardiographic parameters assessing left atrial (LA) remodelling correlated with atrial fibrosis in permanent AF, but less is known about earlier stages such as PAF. We aimed to evaluate whether 2D and 3D echocardiographic (2DE and 3DE) assessment of LA anatomy and function is able to identify patients with PAF.

New paradigms in telemedicine: ambient intelligence, wearable, pervasive and personalized.

After decades of development of information systems dedicated to health professionals, there is an increasing demand for personalized and non-hospital based care. An especially critical domain is cardiology: almost two third of cardiac deaths occur out of hospital, and victims do not survive long enough to benefit from in-hospital treatments. We need to reduce the time before treatment.

Pervasive self-care solutions in telecardiology. Typical use cases from the EPI-MEDICS project.

In western countries, heart disease is the main cause of premature death. Most of cardiac deaths occur out of hospital. Because of a continuously growing elderly population, the number of heart attacks is steadily increasing.