Implantable Loop Recorders in Patients with Unexplained Syncope: Does Ethnic Background Influence Diagnostic Yield?

Background: Implantable loop recorders (ILRs) are a central tool in the evaluation of unexplained syncope. These devices record and store electrocardiograms, both automatically and on patient-dependent activation. Therefore, obtaining optimal diagnostic results relies on a patient's comprehension and collaboration.

Routine fixed-dose heparin vs. ACT-guided heparin administration for elective PCI and its influence on patient in-hospital outcome: a retrospective study.

Objective: Activated clotting time (ACT)-based heparin dosing during percutaneous intervention (PCI) is recommended by Society guidelines. However, the relationship between ACT and outcome in the setting of elective PCI has not been sufficiently studied. We sought to evaluate the in-hospital outcome of patients undergoing elective PCI while receiving fixed-dose heparin without ACT measurement versus those with ACT-guided management.

Torsades de pointes after prolonged intravenous amiodarone therapy for atrial fibrillation.

Amiodarone can induce TdP; therefore, it should be avoided as a first choice for therapy in patients without heart disease. Careful QT interval monitoring, especially during intravenous use, can prevent development of this life-threatening arrhythmia.

Lipid profile as a strong indicator of coronary plaques: noninvasive assessment by multislice computerized tomography.

Background: Most acute coronary syndrome disorders occur as a consequence of atherosclerotic plaque rupture. Lipids are involved in atherosclerotic plaque buildup. Advances in image quality of coronary computed tomography have enabled improved characterization of coronary plaques.

Is second hand smoking associated with atrial fibrillation risk among women in Israel? A case-control study.

Background: The first complete ban on indoor smoking in all public spaces (including bars and restaurants) occurred in 1994 in Israel, because of clear scientific evidence that SHS (Second Hand Smoking) is dangerous to non-smokers. Despite the smoking-ban law warning about the dangers of smoking, SHS remains in houses. The role of cigarette smoking on cardiac arrhythmia is less clearly defined and secondhand smoke (SHS) impact on the risk of atrial fibrillation (AF) remains unknown.

Red cell distribution width predicts death and appropriate therapy in patients with implantable cardioverter defibrillator: A simple measurement with prognostic value in a variety of diseases, may help in better selection of patients who will benefit the most from this device.

Background: Red cell distribution width (RDW) is a measure of the size variation of erythrocytes. Its prognostic value has been described in a variety of cardiac and noncardiac diseases. Implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) is useful in preventing sudden cardiac death in high-risk patients, but many of these patients continue to survive without needing ICD therapy.

[Familial spam (streptococcal pharyngitis associated myocarditis): is it a new entity or a coincidence?].

Background: Myocarditis is an inflammation of the myocardium. It is potentially life-threatening, with a wide range of clinical presentations and most often it is caused by various viral, bacterial or fungal infections.

Case Presentation: A 27 year-old man, previously hospitalized due to streptococcal tonsillitis, was admitted to ED because of chest pain.

Effect of type of grain and feed processing on gastrointestinal retention times in horses.

Gastrointestinal retention time may affect digestive processes in the horse. To evaluate the effect of processing of grains on mean retention time in different segments of the gastrointestinal tract, 4 Norwegian Cold-blooded trotters (cecally cannulated, approximately 500 kg of BW) were used. Barley, maize, and wheat were all ground, pelleted, extruded, and micronized to create a total of 12 processed grains.

Hemoptysis--a rare complication of pacemaker implantation.

We describe a case of hemoptysis as a rare complication of pacemaker lead insertion via the axillary approach in a patient with difficult chest anatomy.

Models for estimating digesta passage kinetics in the gastrointestinal tract of the horse.

Fecal samples were collected to evaluate mathematical models to describe the kinetics of digesta passage in the segments of the equine gastrointestinal tract and to compare the passage kinetics of hay and oats. Four Norwegian Cold-blooded trotters (cecally cannulated, approximately 500 kg of BW) were fed Cr-mordanted hay and Yb-marked oats with their morning meal. The meal consisted of 2 kg of hay and 1 kg of oats processed as ground, pelleted, extruded, or micronized.

The significance of malignancies incidental to microcalcifications in breast spot localization biopsy specimens.

Background: Incidental breast cancer is occasionally found in spot localization biopsy specimens adjacent to mirocalcifications in benign breast disease. Because this phenomenon could prove problematic for percutaneous sampling of microcalcifications without excisional biopsy, we studied surgical specimens from patients with cancers incidental to microcalcifications and compared them with specimens with microcalcifications within the malignancy.

Methods: The pathology database at the Mount Sinai Medical Center from January 1993 to July 1998 was reviewed to identify breast cancer patients who underwent spot localization biopsy for microcalcifications.

Stress X-rays and the low back pain patient.

This study was undertaken to determine if demographic, historical and/or clinical information would be helpful in predicting the presence of abnormal motion depicted on a stress radiograph (flexion, extension and lateral bending views). A total of 72 patients were divided into "normals" and "abnormals" based on the presence of abnormal sequential intersegmental vertebral motion as demonstrated on the stress radiographs. Demographically and historically, the "normal" and "abnormal" groups were essentially the same.

[Correspondence of functional and structural findings in tubulo-interstitial disorders in chronic glomerulonephritis].

In 237 patients with chronic glomerulonephritis and according to the serum creatinine level of functional compensation tubular and tubulointerstitial renal functions, respectively, were investigated and compared with the light-microscopic findings of the renal interstice. A distinct structural tubulointerstitial lesion (tiK) was found in 30%. The diagnostic predictivity for the recognition and the exclusion of the tiK was tested for single or paired data of the renal function.

Myocardial free-wall rupture after acute infarction: survival aided by percutaneous intraaortic balloon counterpulsation.

After his first acute myocardial infarction, a 69-year-old male suffered the usually lethal complication of ventricular free-wall rupture. Early suspicion of possible rupture and immediate percutaneous insertion of an intraaortic balloon pump assist device afforded sufficient hemodynamic stability to proceed with cardiac catheterization. The diagnosis of ventricular free-wall rupture was confirmed and the extent of coronary artery disease defined.