Prediction of atrial fibrillation after a stroke event: a systematic review with meta-analysis.

Background: Detecting atrial fibrillation (AF) after stroke is a key component of secondary prevention, but indiscriminate prolonged cardiac monitoring is costly and burdensome. Multivariable prediction models could be used to inform patient selection.

Objective: To determine the performance of available models for predicting AF after a stroke.

Monotherapy with felodipine, a new calcium antagonist, in mild and moderate hypertension.

The role of felodipine, a new calcium antagonist, in monotherapy for mild and moderate hypertension was investigated in a placebo-controlled double-blind study of 109 patients from 13 centres. The patients were randomised in a double-blind fashion to receive felodipine, 2.5 mg b.

Unsuspected coronary artery disease as cause of chronic atrioventricular block in middle age.

Attention has recently been drawn to the relatively poor prognosis of middle aged patients paced for chronic atrioventricular block when age-linked expectation of life is taken into account, and it has been suggested that this may be the result of underlying coronary artery disease, despite the absence of symptoms to suggest this. It was the purpose of this study to determine the incidence of unsuspected coronary artery disease in middle aged patients presenting with chronic atrioventricular block. Studies were made on a consecutive series of 30 patients aged 45 to 65 (mean age 56 years) with chronic atrioventricular disease who had been referred for pacing.

Haemodynamic effects of hydralazine at rest and during exercise in patients with chronic heart failure.

The administration of vasodilator drugs has been shown to have beneficial effects at rest in patients with acute or chronic heart failure. To determine the efficacy of hydralazine during exercise, 10 severely symptomatic patients with chronic left ventricular failure from diffuse coronary disease or cardiomyopathy were studied at rest and during upright exercise on a bicycle ergometer. All patients were already receiving optimal treatment with digitalis and diuretics.

Septicemia in patients with an endocardial pacemaker.

The records of 1,235 consecutive patients treated with long-term pacing by the endocardial route between 1964 and 1977 were analyzed to determine the incidence, mechanism, course and treatment of septicemia. Septicemia developed in 12 patients (1 percent), and Staphylococcus aureus was isolated from the blood culture in 10. All patients were treated with the usual prolonged course of bactericidal drugs.