Outcomes of PCI of all comers: the experience of a Kuwaiti independent healthcare institution.

We present the cumulative percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) data of all comers (stable angina and acute coronary syndromes [ACS]) who presented to Hadi Clinic between January 2018 and December 2020. As a low-volume PCI centre in the Middle East, we wanted to find out if the outcomes of our PCI procedures are different from those of high-volume PCI centres in the UK and the Western world. Prospectively collected data of all comers for PCI (urgent and elective) were retrospectively analysed.

Does methotrexate cause progressive fibrotic interstitial lung disease? A systematic review.

The aim is to evaluate the published evidence on whether methotrexate (MTX) use causes progressive fibrotic interstitial lung disease (fILD). This PRISMA-compliant systematic review has been registered electronically with PROSPERO 2018 ID CRD42018087838, Centre of review and dissemination at the University of York. A total of 29 articles met the inclusion criteria.

Pre-procedural fasting for coronary interventions: is it time to change practice?

Introduction: Traditionally, patients are kept nil-per-os/nil-by-mouth (NPO/NBM) prior to invasive cardiac procedures, yet there exists neither evidence nor clear guidance about the benefits of this practice.

Objectives: To demonstrate that percutaneous cardiac catheterisation does not require prior fasting.

Methods: The data source is a retrospective analysis of data registry of consecutive patients who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and stable angina at two district general hospitals in the UK with no on-site cardiac surgery services.

Implantable cardioverter defibrillator: what a hospital practitioner needs to know.

The implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) has undergone a remarkable transformation in the last three decades, both in generator size and functionality. This, coupled with improvements in lead design, allows the simplicity of defibrillator implantation to approach that of pacemakers, with outpatient placement now feasible. Nowadays, the majority of new ICD implants are performed on primary prevention grounds with device longevity of more than 7 years.

Selective site right ventricular pacing.

The right ventricular apex (RVA) has been the elective site for placing endocardial pacing leads since 1959 when Furman described the use of the transvenous route for pacemaker implantation. This site was used because it is easily accessible, readily identified and associated with a stable position and reliable chronic pacing parameters. It was recognised, however, that pacing from the RVA did not reproduce normal ventricular conduction or contraction.

Sudden cardiac death: history, aetiology and management.

Despite being a relatively common medical condition, sudden cardiac death suffers a widespread lack of knowledge and understanding among general physicians. This article fills this knowledge gap, outlining risk factors, causes and preventative strategies.

Can transventricular intracardiac impedance measurement discriminate haemodynamically unstable ventricular arrhythmias in human?

Aims: To measure changes in transventricular impedance during arrhythmias.

Methods And Results: Patients were studied during electrophysiological studies. A quadrapolar catheter was positioned at the right ventricular apex (RVA) and a decapolar catheter within the coronary sinus (CS).

Clinical trials update from the American Heart Association meeting: Omega-3 fatty acids and arrhythmia risk in patients with an implantable defibrillator, ACTIV in CHF, VALIANT, the Hanover autologous bone marrow transplantation study, SPORTIF V, ORBIT and PAD and DEFINITE.

The American Heart Association meeting reported the results of several clinical trials of particular interest to those who care for patients with heart failure. Omega-3 fatty acids were associated with a trend to increased recurrence of ventricular arrhythmias but not mortality in patients with an implantable debrillator. The ACTIV in CHF study provides more evidence of a therapeutic role for arginine vasopressin antagonists in the treatment of heart failure.