Update on the Non-Pharmacological Management of Stroke Prevention in Patients with Atrial Fibrillation.

Non-surgical left atrial appendage occlusion has emerged as an alternative to anticoagulant therapy in the management of stroke risk in patients with atrial fibrillation. This review reports on some of the more common devices that are currently being used to manage patients in this challenging group.

Analysis of Complications in Outpatient ICD Surgery On or Off Warfarin Anticoagulation.

Background: Implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) implantation is being performed differently at many hospitals, with some keeping patients overnight after procedure while others discharge patients home same day. In addition, many centers are now performing ICD surgery while on warfarin anticoagulation. There are, however, limited data on outpatient ICD surgery on anticoagulated (AC) patients.

A prospective study comparing the sensed R wave in bipolar and extended bipolar configurations: the PropR study.

Background: Progress in implantable cardiac defibrillator (ICD) technology has allowed for switching the sensing polarity for the detection of ventricular fibrillation (VF). However, whether one sensing polarity confers additional advantage over the other is not known.

Objectives: To determine whether one sensing polarity is superior to the other for the detection of VF.