Disturbed Sleep is Not Good for the Heart: A Narrative Review.

Sleep-related breathing disorders, including obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and central sleep apnea (CSA), have a major impact on cardiovascular function. It has shown an association with hypertension, coronary artery disease, cardiac arrhythmias, sudden cardiac death, and congestive heart failure (CHF). This review focuses on highlighting the relationship between sleep apnea and CHF.

Fungal infections following liver transplantation.

With increasing morbidity and mortality from chronic liver disease and acute liver failure, the need for liver transplantation is on the rise. Most of these patients are extremely vulnerable to infections as they are immune-compromised and have other chronic co-morbid conditions. Despite the recent advances in practice and improvement in diagnostic surveillance and treatment modalities, a major portion of these patients continue to be affected by post-transplant infections.

Current state of medical tourism involving liver transplantation-the risk of infections and potential complications.

Liver transplant has been shown to significantly improve mortality and quality of life in various liver diseases such as acute liver failure, end-stage liver disease, and liver cancer. While the organ transplant demand is continuing to rise, the organ donation supply remains unmatched. The organ shortage, high cost, and long waiting lists have stimulated a desire for routes that may be unethical.

An unusual infection in an immunocompetent male from a non-endemic area: Lessons from a vacation.

Primary pulmonary histoplasmosis is found worldwide, and is particularly endemic in some areas of North America, usually those surrounding the Ohio and Mississippi river valleys. It is not common in the East Coast of the United States, and is in fact reportable in Pennsylvania. It has been rarely described in immunocompetent individuals residing in a non-endemic region.

Role of Phosphodiesterase-5 Inhibitors in Acute Right Ventricular Failure Due to Pulmonary Embolism.

BACKGROUND Sildenafil is a pulmonary vasodilator and its efficacy has been well established in patients with group 1 pulmonary hypertension. There are no established guidelines regarding its use in acute right ventricle failure. In our experience, it can be used as an adjunctive therapy in acute right ventricle failure due to pulmonary embolism, to reduce right ventricle afterload and hence improve size and function of the right ventricle.

Revisiting Atrioventricular Nodal Ablation and Cardiac Pacing of Atrial Fibrillation in a Patient with Dextrocardia.

BACKGROUND Poorly controlled ventricular rate associated with atrial fibrillation (AF) leads to tachycardia-induced left ventricular dysfunction. Atrioventricular (AV) nodal ablation and cardiac pacing is the standard of care in refractory congestive heart failure (CHF) due to AF with moderate to rapid ventricular response that failed conventional medical therapy. If the patient is not a candidate for AF ablation with pulmonary vein isolation and elimination of AF foci, this is an effective approach, but it does have some challenges when done in a patient with dextrocardia and situs inversus.