Creation and Validation of an Algorithm for Predicting the Recurrence of Atrial Fibrillation Following Pulmonary Vein Isolation by Utilizing Real-World Data and Ensemble Modeling Techniques.

Introduction Catheter ablation (CA) of atrial fibrillation (AF) represents a mainstay in the treatment of this increasingly prevalent arrhythmia. Prospective clinical trials investigating the efficacy of CA may poorly represent real-world patient populations. However, many real-world clinical datasets possess missing data, which may impede their applicability in research.

Esophageal Rupture Presenting with ST Segment Elevation and Junctional Rhythm Mimicking Acute Myocardial Infarction.

Esophageal rupture is a rare but potentially fatal cause of chest pain. The presentation is variable and can mimic other conditions such as aortic dissection, pulmonary embolism, and myocardial infarction (MI). A 71-year-old male with a history of coronary artery disease presented to the ED with complaints of acute chest pain and respiratory distress.

Improving compliance with Intersocietal Accreditation Commission (IAC) reporting standards: A serial comparison of 523 labs over seven years.

Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate reporting compliance of laboratories applying for serial accreditation by the Intersocietal Accreditation Commission (IAC) and compare compliance based on laboratory characteristics.

Methods: All laboratories applying for IAC accreditation for the first time in 2008 and then twice more (2011-2014) were evaluated for compliance with 18 reporting elements. The elements were ranked into three severity groups (high/moderate/low).

Improved compliance with reporting standards: A retrospective analysis of Intersocietal Accreditation Commission Nuclear Cardiology Laboratories.

Background: In 2011, Tilkemeier et al reported significant nuclear cardiology laboratory noncompliance with reporting standards. The aim of this study was to identify and examine noncompliant reporting elements with the Intersocietal Accreditation Commission Nuclear/PET (IAC) Reporting Standards and to compare compliance between 2008 and 2014.

Methods: This was a retrospective study of compliance with 18 reporting elements utilizing accreditation findings from all laboratories applying for accreditation in 2008 and 2014.

Cardiac Structure and Function in Elite Para-cyclists with Spinal Cord Injury.

Purpose: We sought to explore the association between the spinal cord injury (SCI) level on the cardiac structure and the function observed in elite para-cyclists.

Methods: Cross-sectional echocardiographic data from 44 elite SCI hand cyclists (39.8 ± 9 yr, 68% male/32% female) stratified by the level of SCI (cervical, N = 9; T1-T5, N = 10; below T5, N = 25) and 19 non-SCI blind/visually impaired (BVI) tandem cyclists (32.