Cardiovascular Complaints Among Military Members During Operation Enduring Freedom.

During Operation Enduring Freedom, the US military began deploying a dedicated theater cardiology consultant to Afghanistan in an effort to increase rates of return to duty in service members with cardiovascular complaints. This study was designed to categorize these complaints and determine the effect on both aeromedical evacuation and return to duty rates during a 2.5 year observation period.

The effects of body mass index on surface electrocardiograms in young adults.

Introduction: While BMI is known to affect ECG measurements, these effects have not been well characterized in young adults.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed all ECGs performed in adults 18 to 35 years old at a single institution over a 30 year period. ECG measurements were derived electronically and stratified by WHO BMI category.

Long-term mortality after transvenous lead extraction.

Background: The number of cardiovascular implantable electronic devices has increased progressively and has led to an increased need for transvenous lead extraction (TLE). Multiple reports of TLE procedural outcomes exist; however, data regarding postprocedural and long-term mortality are limited.

Methods And Results: We performed a retrospective study of consecutive patients undergoing TLE at a single, high-volume center.

Effects of glucosamine and Celadrin on platelet function.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of glucosamine and celadrin on platelet function.

Design: Baseline values were determined on the Chronolog 570VS platelet aggregometer with whole blood aggregation impedance readings using 2 different concentrations of ADP (5 microM, 10 microM), collagen (1 microg/mL), arachidonic acid (0.5 mM/L) and an Accumetrics whole blood platelet aggregation cartridge assay for P2Y12 receptors were obtained from 24 healthy volunteers.

Large, single-center, single-operator experience with transvenous lead extraction: outcomes and changing indications.

Background: Lead extraction is increasingly necessary given the exponential growth in cardiac device implantation. Meanwhile, the tools, indications, and outcomes of this procedure continue to change.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to examine contemporary indications, outcomes, and complications of transvenous lead extraction in a large series of patients at a high-volume lead extraction center.

Chronic atrial fibrillation ablation impact on endocrine and mechanical cardiac functions.

Aims: Assess the impact of persistent/permanent atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation on endocrine and mechanical cardiac functions.

Methods And Results: In all, 43 patients (40 males, 53 +/- 12 years) undergoing persistent/permanent AF ablation had atrial (ANP) and brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) measurements before day 1, 3, and 3 months after ablation. In the same period of time transthoracic echocardiography was performed.

Direct admission to cardiology for patients hospitalized for atrial fibrillation reduces length of stay and increases guideline adherence.

Objective: We hypothesized that a clinical pathway for inpatient management of atrial fibrillation on a cardiology service would result in improved resource utilization.

Methods: In July 2002, an evidence-based pathway was developed for treatment of patients hospitalized for atrial fibrillation. Guidelines directed patient care from admission from the emergency department to inpatient management on a cardiology service.

Sudden death associated with anomalous coronary origin and obstructive coronary disease in the young.

Sudden cardiac death in a young patient is a catastrophic occurrence. Anomalous coronary origin (ACO) is a significant cause of sudden cardiac death among individuals under the age of 35 years. We sought to define the premortem clinical and postmortem histopathologic findings in victims of sudden cardiac death resulting from either ACO or obstructive atherosclerotic coronary artery disease (CAD) among U.

Comparison of clinical presentation of acute myocarditis following smallpox vaccination to acute coronary syndromes in patients <40 years of age.

Smallpox vaccine-associated myopericarditis may have a similar presentation to acute coronary syndrome (ACS). The clinical records of 78 young patients (<40 years of age) presenting with ACS (n = 16) or myocarditis after smallpox vaccination (n = 62) were reviewed. Comparisons were made among clinical presentation, cardiac enzymes, echocardiographic findings, and electrocardiographic changes.

Review of subacute stent thrombosis following percutaneous coronary intervention at a low-volume catheterization laboratory.

Background: The frequency of coronary stent subacute thrombosis (SAT) following percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) with uncoated stents in recent studies is 0.5%-0.9%.