Prophylactic Left Atrial Appendage Exclusion in Cardiac Surgery Patients With Elevated CHADS-VASc Score: Results of the Randomized ATLAS Trial.

Objective: Patients with elevated CHADS-VASc scores are at high risk for atrial fibrillation (AF) and thromboembolic events (TE) after cardiac surgery. Left atrial appendage exclusion (LAAE) is a permanent, continuous approach to stroke prevention in AF, overcoming limitations of oral anticoagulation (OAC). We report ATLAS trial results focused on LAAE technical success and perioperative safety and TE rates with and without LAAE in cardiac surgery patients who developed postoperative AF (POAF).

Mid-term outcomes of concomitant Cox-Maze IV: Results from a multicenter prospective registry.

Background: Benefits of concomitant atrial fibrillation (AF) surgical treatment are well established. Cardiac societies support treating AF during cardiac surgery with a class I recommendation. Despite these guidelines, adoption has been inconsistent.

Diffuse alveolar haemorrhage secondary to in a vaping patient.

Diffuse alveolar haemorrhage (DAH) is known to occur from several infectious and non-infectious aetiologies. Among the infectious aetiologies, , an organism known to cause community-acquired pneumonia, has not been reported in association with DAH prior to this case. On the other hand, vaping, an evolving epidemic concern, has been linked to various types of lung injury, including DAH.

Safety and long-term efficacy of thoracoscopic Epicardial ablation in patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation: a retrospective study.

Background: The aim of this study is to report the long-term efficacy and safety of thoracoscopic epicardial left atrial ablation (TELA) in patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF).

Methods: This was a retrospective review of medical records. We included all patients diagnosed with paroxysmal AF who underwent TELA at our institution between 04/2011 and 06/2017.

The pneumatic tourniquet technique for endoscopic radial artery harvest.

Background: Endoscopic vessel harvest is viewed as a safe, reliable, and cost-effective method for greater saphenous vein removal. As the radial artery has more recently become a popular conduit choice in coronary artery revascularization, we describe herein an endoscopic technique for radial artery harvest in our first 50 patients as an alternative to the more traditional open technique.

Methods: From November 2001 to July 2002, 54 radial arteries were harvested endoscopically in 50 patients utilizing the VasoView Endoscopic Vessel Harvesting System, an Esmark bandage, and a pneumatic cuff tourniquet.

Stroke and atrial fibrillation following cardiac surgery.

Objective: Stroke is an occasional devastating complication of cardiac surgery. Transient atrial fibrillation (AF) is a frequent complication of cardiac surgery. Emboli originating from the fibrillating left atrium are a known cause of stroke in the non-surgical setting.