[Perioperative heparin bridging is rarely indicated].

Numerous studies have shown that perioperative heparin bridging in patients treated with a vitamin K antagonist leads to an increased incidence of bleeding and so far, there is no evidence that it leads to a significant reduction in postoperative thromboembolism as summarised in this review. Prophylactic dosage of heparin is recommended after major surgery. Heparin bridging is not relevant in patients receiving a direct oral anticoagulant due to the rapid onset and offset of action of DOACs.

Effect of physical exercise training on muscle strength and body composition, and their association with functional capacity and quality of life in patients with atrial fibrillation: a randomized controlled trial.

Objective: Atrial fibrillation diminishes cardiac function, exercise tolerance and quality of life. The objective of this study was to determine whether exercise training in atrial fibrillation affects muscle strength, body composition, maximal exercise capacity and walking capacity positively, thus improving quality of life.

Design: Randomized clinical trial.

A randomized study of the effects of exercise training on patients with atrial fibrillation.

Background: Exercise training is beneficial in ischemic and congestive heart disease. However, the effect on atrial fibrillation (AF) is unknown.

Methods: Forty-nine patients with permanent AF (age [mean ± SD], 70.

Non-invasive measurements of cardiac output in atrial fibrillation: inert gas rebreathing and impedance cardiography.

Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. To test the effect of interventions, knowledge of cardiac output (CO) is important. However, the irregular heart rate might cause some methods for determination of CO to have inherent weaknesses.

Prostaglandin E2-induced colonic secretion in patients with and without colorectal neoplasia.

Background: The pathogenesis for colorectal cancer remains unresolved. A growing body of evidence suggests a direct correlation between cyclooxygenase enzyme expression, prostaglandin E2 metabolism and neoplastic development. Thus further understanding of the regulation of epithelial functions by prostaglandin E2 is needed.

71-year-old woman with dizziness and lipomatous hypertrophy of the left atrium.

Lipomatous hypertrophy, an unencapsulated atrial mass of adipose tissue, occurs in 1% of the population; the clinical significance of this is uncertain. Diagnosis is by echocardiography, computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging scan. Surgical intervention is thought to be indicated in patients with obstruction, thromboembolism, uncontrollable arrhythmia or when liposarcoma cannot be excluded.

Colonic epithelial ion transport is not affected in patients with diverticulosis.

Background: Colonic diverticular disease is a bothersome condition with an unresolved pathogenesis. It is unknown whether a neuroepithelial dysfunction is present. The aim of the study was two-fold; (1) to investigate colonic epithelial ion transport in patients with diverticulosis and (2) to adapt a miniaturized Modified Ussing Air-Suction (MUAS) chamber for colonic endoscopic biopsies.