Ablation for Atrial Fibrillation Combined With Left Atrial Appendage Closure.

Objectives: The study sought to determine long-term clinical effects of combining catheter ablation (CA) and left atrial appendage (LAA) occlusion (LAAO) in a single procedure.

Background: CA relieves symptoms in atrial fibrillation (AF), but freedom from AF is not assured. Thus, oral anticoagulation (OAC) remains necessary in high stroke risk patients.

A prospective validation of the HEART score for chest pain patients at the emergency department.

Background: The focus of the diagnostic process in chest pain patients at the emergency department is to identify both low and high risk patients for an acute coronary syndrome (ACS). The HEART score was designed to facilitate this process. This study is a prospective validation of the HEART score.

A randomized multicenter comparison of hybrid sirolimus-eluting stents with bioresorbable polymer versus everolimus-eluting stents with durable polymer in total coronary occlusion: rationale and design of the Primary Stenting of Occluded Native Coronary Arteries IV study.

Background: Percutaneous recanalization of total coronary occlusion (TCO) was historically hampered by high rates of restenosis and reocclusions. The PRISON II trial demonstrated a significant restenosis reduction in patients treated with sirolimus-eluting stents compared with bare metal stents for TCO. Similar reductions in restenosis were observed with the second-generation zotarolimus-eluting stent and everolimus-eluting stent.