Position statement on endoscopic lung volume reduction in South Africa: 2022 update.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) remains one of the most common causes of morbidity and mortality in South Africa. Endoscopic lung volume reduction (ELVR) was first proposed by the South African Thoracic Society (SATS) for the treatment of advanced emphysema in 2015. Since the original statement was published, there has been a growing body of evidence that a certain well-defined sub-group of patients with advanced emphysema may benefit from ELVR, to the point where the current Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) Guidelines and the United Kingdom National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) advocate the use of endoscopic valves based on level A evidence.

Renal denervation prevents subclinical atrial fibrillation in patients with hypertensive heart disease: Randomized, sham-controlled trial.

Background: Catheter-based renal denervation (RD), in addition to pulmonary vein isolation (PVI), reduces atrial fibrillation (AF) recurrence in hypertensive patients. Whether RD, without additional PVI, can prevent subclinical atrial fibrillation (SAF) in patients with hypertensive heart disease (HHD) is unknown.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to assess the efficacy of RD in preventing SAF in patients with HHD.

SA Heart consensus statement on closure of patent foramen ovale 2021.

A patent foramen ovale (PFO) is associated with numerous clinical conditions. The most severe of these is cryptogenic stroke. This consensus statement aims to provide a clinical guideline on which patients should be offered PFO closure.

Renal Denervation in High-risk Patients with Hypertension.

Hypertension is a common health problem, which leads to a substantial mortality and morbidity burden, globally. The management of patients with high-risk and treatment-resistant hypertension remains a major clinical challenge to the treating physician. Renal denervation (RD) is an emerging technique, comprising modification of the renal sympathetic nerve supply which courses around the renal arteries.

A "Vanishing", Tuberculous, Pericardial Effusion.

We present an iatrogenic, pleuro-pericardial connection resulting from pericardiocentesis of a large, tuberculous, pericardial effusion. Recognition of this situation is paramount when one is unable to aspirate pericardial fluid after a successful, initial puncture. Such knowledge will help prevent myocardial or coronary artery injury with further attempts at aspiration.

The utility of Xpert MTB/RIF performed on bronchial washings obtained in patients with suspected pulmonary tuberculosis in a high prevalence setting.

Background: Xpert MTB/RIF has been shown to have a superior sensitivity to microscopy for acid fast bacilli (AFB) in sputum and has been recommended as a standard first line investigation for pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB). Bronchoscopy is a valuable tool in diagnosing PTB in sputum negative patients. There is limited data on the utility of Xpert MTB/RIF performed on bronchial lavage specimens.