Very High-Dose Furosemide Continuous Infusions: A Case Series.

Background: There is paucity of data evaluating the efficacy and safety of very high-dose furosemide continuous infusions (≥40 mg/h) for volume removal. This infusion is a novel strategy of loop diuretic administration that may add valuable data to current literature.

Methods And Results: This was a retrospective chart review.

Clinical significance of 12 lead ECG changes in patients undergoing pericardiocentesis for cardiac tamponade.

Introduction: The electrocardiogram (ECG) is one of the initial tests done in patients suspected of having a cardiac Tamponade. Historically the emphasis has been on low QRS voltage and electrical alternans, which lacks specificity and sensitivity respectively. Majority of these studies included patients with pericardial effusions without tamponade.

Patient characteristics and predictors of mortality associated with pericardial decompression syndrome: a comprehensive analysis of published cases.

Background: Pericardial decompression syndrome (PDS) is a rare and potentially fatal complication of pericardial drainage, either by needle pericardiocentesis or surgical pericardiostomy. It manifests with paradoxical hemodynamic deterioration and/or pulmonary edema, commonly associated with ventricular dysfunction. We sought to elucidate factors associated with mortality in PDS.

Evidence-based treatment of chronic heart failure.

The past two decades have seen a knowledge explosion in the field of cardiovascular diseases, in general, and in the understanding of chronic heart failure (HF) as a complex neurohumoral syndrome in particular. A new staging system for chronic HF has been developed within the last decade to facilitate the evidence-based prescription of medications and medical devices for each of its four stages. The burden of care for patients with chronic HF is substantially provided in primary care settings.

The changing face of postoperative atrial fibrillation prevention: a review of current medical therapy.

Atrial fibrillation is the most common postoperative arrhythmia with significant consequences on patient health. Postoperative atrial fibrillation (POAF) complicates up to 8% of all noncardiac surgeries, between 3% and 30% of noncardiac thoracic surgeries, and between 16% and 46% of cardiac surgeries. POAF has been associated with increased morbidity, mortality, and longer, more costly hospital stays.