Minimally invasive surgery using bipolar radiofrequency energy is effective treatment for refractory atrial fibrillation.

Background: A web-based registry was used to prospectively study patients after minimally invasive surgery with monitoring to determine freedom from atrial fibrillation (AF) (clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT00747838). This is a report showing the utility and feasibility of the registry.

Endovascular repair of cervical aortic arch aneurysm.

Cervical aortic arch (CAA) is a rare congenital anomaly of the aortic arch. Rarely, CAA is associated with aneurysm of the arch and great vessels. A 32-year-old male patient, previously in good health, presented with 2 weeks of severe chest pain.

Acute aortic syndromes: aortic dissections, penetrating aortic ulcers and intramural aortic hematomas.

Acute aortic syndromes, including dissections, intramural hematomas and penetrating aortic ulcers, are a catastrophic clinical entity that are relatively uncommon. A high index of clinical suspicion along with proper imaging modalities are critical in making a prompt and accurate diagnosis for immediate management and to improve survival of the patient.