Echocardiographic Predictors of Ventricular Arrhythmias in Patients With Left Ventricular Assist Devices and Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillator.

Aim: To evaluate the predictive value of preoperative echocardiographic parameters for occurrence of VAs in patients with preexisting ICD undergoing LVAD implantation.

Methods And Results: All consecutive patients (n = 264) with previous ICD who underwent LVAD surgery between May 2011 and December 2019 at our institution were included. The patients were predominantly male (89%) with NICM (59%) and a mean age of 59 ± 10 years.

Acute Aortic Dissection during Pregnancy: Hideous Clinical Quandaries with Young Lives on the Line-The Role of Hereditary Genetic Syndromes.

Acute aortic dissection is a rare but frequently fatal aortic catastrophe with high morbidity and mortality. Especially in pregnant patients, acute dissection is often misdiagnosed putting two lives on the line. Due to its scarcity, only case reports have been reported.

Gender differences in homicides. A comparative analysis of 106 fatalities in forensic autopsy data.

While most homicides worldwide are committed against men, women and girls are disproportionately affected by domestic violence and its fatal consequences. The Istanbul Convention mandates the prevention of gender-based violence, particularly against women. This study analyzes the characteristics of male and female victims of homicides to provide a comprehensive understanding of the different situations and ways in which men and women are killed.

Pre-Implant Immune Status is Associated with Infection Risk After Left Ventricular Assist Device Implantation.

Purpose: Infection is the most common complication after left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation. The immune status of LVAD patients is relevant for the incidence and severity of infection, but it is unknown if there is a predisposing immune status prior to LVAD implantation that contributes to an increased risk for infection in the post-implant period. We analyzed the pre-LVAD immune status in patients with infection within 3 months after LVAD implantation in comparison to infection-free patients.