Integrated Management Approach to Atrial Fibrillation Care: A Cost Utility Analysis.

Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a substantial burden on health care. Combined specialist and nurse-based AF clinics are associated with improved outcomes. However, Canadian data on the cost-effectiveness of this integrated management approach to AF care are lacking.

Staphylococcus Aureus Prevention Strategies in Cardiac Surgery: A Cost-Effectiveness Analysis.

Background: Cardiac surgery patients colonized with Staphylococcus aureus have a greater risk of surgical site infection (SSI). The purpose of this study was to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of decolonization strategies to prevent SSIs.

Methods: We compared three decolonization strategies: universal decolonization (UD), all subjects treated; targeted decolonization (TD), only S aureus carriers treated; and no decolonization (ND).

Recovery free of heart failure after acute coronary syndrome and coronary revascularization.

Aims: Previous studies have examined risk factors for the development of heart failure (HF) subsequent to acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Our study seeks to clarify the clinical variables that best characterize patients who remain free from HF after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) surgery for ACS to determine novel biological factors favouring freedom from HF in prospective translational studies.

Methods And Results: Nova Scotia residents (1995-2012) undergoing CABG within 3 weeks of ACS were included.

Preoperative Staphylococcus Aureus Screening and Targeted Decolonization in Cardiac Surgery.

Background: We assessed the impact of preoperative Staphylococcus aureus screening and targeted decolonization on the incidence of postoperative methicillin-resistant S aureus (MRSA) colonization, intensive care unit MRSA transmission, and surgical site infections in cardiac surgery patients.

Methods: We reviewed medical records for all adult patients during two periods: preintervention (January 2007 to April 2010) and intervention (January 2011 to December 2014). In the intervention period, we performed nasal screening for methicillin-sensitive S aureus and MRSA using polymerase chain reaction within 30 days of the operation.

Functional Outcomes and Health-Related Quality of Life After Surgical Repair of Full-Thickness Rotator Cuff Tears Using a Mini-Open Technique: A Concise 10-Year Follow-up of a Previous Report.

Background: Although good short-term and midterm outcomes are reported for mini-open rotator cuff repair, few prospective studies have investigated long-term results.

Hypothesis: Function and health-related quality of life (HRQL) outcomes would be maintained 10 years after mini-open rotator cuff repair.

Study Design: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 2.

Does Topical Anesthetic Reduce Pain During Intraosseous Pin Removal in Children? A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: The purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of topical liposomal lidocaine in reducing the pain perceived by children undergoing percutaneous intraosseous pin (PP) removal in the outpatient orthopaedic clinic.

Methods: A triple-blinded, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial comparing topical liposomal lidocaine to a placebo was conducted at the Stollery Children's Hospital between September 2008 and February 2011. Subjects undergoing the removal of PP in the orthopaedic outpatient clinic between ages 3 and 16 years were recruited.

Occipital condyle syndrome: self diagnosed.

We present the case of a 71-year-old man who presented to us with unilateral lower motor neuron hypoglossal palsy along with the characteristic occipital headache. He himself forwarded a paper on occipital condyle syndrome to the clinician who initially reviewed him. Later the patient underwent a series of investigations that confirmed the diagnosis of underlying prostatic carcinoma with widespread metastasis to bones including the base of the skull.

Risk factors analysis for hepatocellular carcinoma in patients with and without cirrhosis: a case-control study of 213 hepatocellular carcinoma patients from India.

Aim: To assess the role of hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV) and alcohol intake as risk factors for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in the presence or absence of cirrhosis in Indian population.

Methods: A total of 213 patients with HCC and 254 control subjects not affected with hepatic diseases or neoplasm were recruited. Odds ratios (ORs) were estimated for each risk factor and synergism among various risk factors was also studied.

Spectrum of atypical celiac disease in North Indian children.

Atypical celiac disease (ACD) presenting in childhood has rarely been documented from India. The present retrospective study analyzed features of atypical celiac disease over a 5-year period. Patients were diagnosed to have Celiac Disease (CD) as per the standard ESPGHAN criteria.