Background: Left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) have revolutionized the management of end-stage heart failure (ESHF). However, unexpectedly high rates of GI bleeding (GIB) have been described, and etiology and outcome remain unclear.
Objective: To determine the prevalence, etiology, and outcome of GIB in LVAD recipients.
Objectives: The purpose of this study was to develop and test a simple, clinically practical alternative isovelocity surface (ISVS) model for calculating effective regurgitant orifice area (EROA) in mitral regurgitation (MR) when the regurgitant orifice is elongated, such as in functional MR.
Background: Clinical experience and 3-dimensional imaging suggest that the traditional hemispheric ISVS model used in the conventional proximal isovelocity surface area (PISA) calculation is invalid in certain MR cases and can cause erroneous EROA values.
Methods: Our ISVS model consisted of 3 sections of equal radius (R): a cylindrical midsection of length (L) positioned between 2 hemispheroidal end sections.
Background: Anemia and atrial fibrillation (AF) are common among the elderly. Anemia is an independent predictor of mortality and morbidity for numerous cardiovascular and noncardiovascular diseases, but the association of anemia with mortality and hospitalizations in patients with AF requires clarification.
Methods: Subjects were 13,067 Medicare beneficiaries hospitalized with AF and included in the National Registry of Atrial Fibrillation II data set.