Understanding and Managing Atrial Fibrillation in Patients with Kidney Disease.

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is on the rise due to the increased rate of related comorbidities such as diabetes and hypertension. Patients with CKD are at higher risk of cardiovascular events and atrial fibrillation is more common in this patient population. It is estimated that the prevalence of chronic atrial fibrillation in patients with CKD is two to three times higher than general population.

Prolactinoma and hyperprolactinaemia: a transcultural comparative study between Germany as a western, liberal, industrialised country and Syria as an oriental society with a strong Islamic tradition.

Objective: Prolactinomas and hyperprolactinaemia cause hypogonadism and impairment of sexual and reproductive function. In this transcultural study, clinical characteristics of prolactinoma/hyperprolactinaemia were compared between a liberal, western, industrialised country and a more traditional, Islamic, oriental society.

Methods: Sixty-two Syrian patients with hyperprolactinaemia were compared to 62 German patients with hyperprolactinaemia.

Left atrial appendage exclusion and the risk of thromboembolic events following mitral valve surgery.

Objectives: We aimed to evaluate left atrial appendage (LAA) exclusion in patients undergoing mitral valve surgery with respect to thromboembolic events.

Background: LAA is the predominant source of emboli in patients with atrial fibrillation. Prophylactic LAA exclusion at the time of heart surgery has been recommended to reduce the risk of future thromboembolism.

Diagnosis and management of infections involving implantable electrophysiologic cardiac devices.

Background: Optimal treatment of infections related to implantable electrophysiologic cardiac devices is poorly defined.

Objective: To describe the clinical presentation, treatment, and outcome of patients with such infections.

Design: Retrospective case series.

Higher energy synchronized external direct current cardioversion for refractory atrial fibrillation.

Objectives: We sought to evaluate the safety and efficacy of higher energy synchronized cardioversion in patients with atrial fibrillation refractory to standard energy direct current (DC) cardioversion.

Background: Standard external electrical cardioversion fails to restore sinus rhythm in 5% to 30% of patients with atrial fibrillation.

Methods: Patients with atrial fibrillation who failed to achieve sinus rhythm after at least two attempts at standard external cardioversion with 360 J were included in the study.

Transiliac permanent pacemaker implantation after extraction of infected pectoral pacemaker systems.

Infected pectoral pacemaker systems were extracted in 5 patients and new pacemakers were reimplanted in a pelvic pocket through the iliac veins. In patients who have infected pectoral pacemaker systems, this easy and safe technique provides an alternate route for reimplantation of permanent pacemakers.