Antithrombotic Strategies After Bioprosthetic Aortic Valve Replacement: A Systematic Review.

Background: The optimal antithrombotic regimen after bioprosthetic aortic valve replacement (bAVR) is unclear. We conducted a systematic review of various anticoagulation strategies following surgical or transcatheter bAVR (TAVR).

Methods: We searched Medline, PubMed, Embase, Evidence-Based Medicine Reviews, and gray literature through June 2017 for controlled clinical trials and cohort studies that directly compared different antithrombotic strategies in nonpregnant adults who had undergone bAVR.

Effectiveness of Left Atrial Appendage Exclusion Procedures to Reduce the Risk of Stroke: A Systematic Review of the Evidence.

Background: Atrial fibrillation is an important cause of cardioembolic stroke. Oral anticoagulants (OAC) reduce stroke risk but increase the risk of serious bleeding. Left atrial appendage (LAA) procedures have been developed to isolate the LAA from circulating blood flow, as an alternative to OAC.

Upper GI tract findings in patients with heartburn in whom proton pump inhibitor treatment failed versus those not receiving antireflux treatment.

Background: Failure of proton pump inhibitor (PPI) treatment in patients with heartburn is very common. Because endoscopy is easily accessible, it is commonly used as the first evaluative tool in these patients.

Objective: To compare GERD-related endoscopic and histologic findings in patients with heartburn in whom once-daily PPI therapy failed versus those not receiving antireflux treatment.

Ability of citizens in a senior living community to perform lifesaving cardiac skills and appropriately utilize AEDs.

The objective of this study was to assess the ability of citizens in a senior living community (SLC) to perform adequate cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and appropriately utilize an automated external defibrillator (AED) in a simulated cardiac arrest scenario (SCAS). This study was a prospective, observational study; a convenience sample of SLC residents aged > 54 years was enrolled. Subjects were presented with a SCAS (adult mannequin, bystander available to assist, AED visible).