Does multi-parity affect the size of the ascending thoracic aorta in women: a prospective cohort study.

Objective: Aortic dissection is an uncommon and potentially fatal complication of pregnancy; however, the association of the number of pregnancies with the indexed and absolute size of the ascending aorta in patients without aortic aneurysm or connective tissue disorders is not well elucidated.

Research Design And Methods: In this prospective observational study, women aged 18-80 years old undergoing transesophageal echocardiography in a university-affiliated echocardiography laboratory between 1 January 2015 and 1 September 2015 were enrolled. Indexed and absolute sizes of ascending aorta at the levels of annulus, root, sinotubular junction (STJ), proximal and arch were measured.

Fine versus coarse atrial fibrillation in rheumatic mitral stenosis: The impact of aging and the clinical significance.

Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) as the most rhythm disturbance in patients with rheumatic mitral stenosis (MS), is classified in to coarse and fine subtypes according to the height of fibrillatory wave amplitude. The aim of this study is to identify the factors associated with the presence of fine versus coarse morphology in patients with rheumatic MS.

Methods: In this cross-sectional study, patients with confirmed diagnosis of severe rheumatic MS admitted between March 2013 and March 2017 were screened.

The frequency of initial misdiagnosis of acute aortic dissection in the emergency department and its impact on outcome.

We determine the frequency of initial misdiagnosis and inappropriate treatment with antiplatelets/anticoagulants in the emergency department (ED) and the resultant clinical outcomes in patients with acute type A aortic dissection (AAOD). Medical records of patients with a final diagnosis of AAOD admitted from March 2004 through October 2015 to our tertiary-level heart hospital were evaluated. Patients with suspected dissection in ED were compared to those with initial misdiagnosis regarding demographics and clinical presentation, laboratory and echocardiographic findings.

Electrocardiography changes in acute aortic dissection-association with troponin leak, coronary anatomy, and prognosis.

Background: Electrocardiography (ECG) offers some information that may be used to prognosticate acute type A aortic dissection (AAOD) for short- and long-term mortality.

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the electrocardiograms of patients with AAOD admitted from March 2004 to March 2015. The frequency of ECG findings and their prognostic value on hospital and follow-up mortality were investigated.