Repaired Congenital Heart Disease in Older Children and Adults: Up-to-Date Practical Assessment and Characteristic Imaging Findings.

Because of a recent increase in survival rates and life expectancy of patients with congenital heart disease (CHD), radiologists are facing new challenges when imaging the peculiar anatomy of individuals with repaired CHD. Cardiac computed tomography and magnetic resonance are paramount noninvasive imaging tools that are useful in assessing patients with repaired CHD, and both techniques are increasingly performed in centers where CHD is not the main specialization. This review provides general radiologists with insight into the main issues of imaging patients with repaired CHD, and the most common findings and complications of each individual pathology and its repair.

Thromboembolic events and need for anticoagulation therapy following left atrial appendage occlusion in patients with electrical isolation of the appendage.

Introduction: Electrical isolation of the left atrial appendage (LAA) is an important adjunctive ablation strategy in patients with nonparoxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF). Patients who have impaired LAA contractility following isolation may require long-term oral anticoagulant (OAC) therapy irrespective of their CHADS -VASc score. Percutaneous LAA occlusion (LAAO) is a potential alternative to life-long OAC therapy.

Use of non-warfarin oral anticoagulants instead of warfarin during left atrial appendage closure with the Watchman device.

Background: In the stroke prevention trials of left atrial appendage closure with the Watchman device (Boston Scientific), a postimplantation antithrombotic regimen of 6 weeks of warfarin was used.

Objective: Given the clinical complexity of warfarin use, the purpose of this study was to study the relative feasibility and safety of using non-warfarin oral anticoagulants (NOACs) instead of warfarin during the peri- and initial postimplantation periods after Watchman implantation.

Methods: This was a retrospective multicenter study of consecutive patients undergoing Watchman implantation and receiving peri- and postprocedural NOACs or warfarin.

Role of N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction: experience from a tertiary centre in India.

Background: Role of biomarkers in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) is paramount, as they aid in diagnosis and gauge prognosis of the disease. In this project, we sought to study the short-term outcome and clinical associates of N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) in the setting of STEMI at a tertiary center in India.

Methods: In all, 173 STEMI patients (mean age: 57 ± 12 years, 38 women) had their NT-proBNP assayed in addition to troponins and high-sensitive C-reactive protein.

Study of left ventricular rotation and torsion in the acute phase of ST-elevation myocardial infarction by speckle tracking echocardiography.

Background: The mechanics of the complex left ventricular (LV) myocardial fiber architecture may accurately be assessed by speckle tracking echocardiography (STE). The role of STE to assess LV mechanical dysfunction in the setting of ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (AMI) is still poorly studied.

Patients And Methods: 29 consecutive patients (55 +/- 13 years) presenting with AMI underwent STE within 72 hours of admission.