Sleep Disorders and Aging in Women.

Women of advancing age can suffer from an array of sleep disorders. We review the changes in sleep architecture, the impact of hormonal changes on sleep, and the various sleep disorders in women of advancing age. A focused history in this population should include the temporal relation to menopause and comorbid conditions.

The Role of High-output His-bundle Pacing During Atrioventricular Node Ablation.

Atrioventricular (AV) junction ablation (AVJA) is an acceptable strategy to control the heart rate in atrial fibrillation (AF) with a high procedural success rate. However, a small subset of patients pose a technical challenge with the standard right-sided approach. High-output His-bundle pacing has been shown to help localize the His bundle in a difficult-to-ablate AV junction.

Outcomes of hospitalizations with acute respiratory distress syndrome with and without atrial fibrillation - Analyses from the National Inpatient Sample (2004-2014).

Background: Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is associated with high mortality. Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a common arrhythmia seen in critically ill patients. The impact of AF on the outcomes in patients with ARDS is less understood.

Left-sided Macro-reentry or Right-sided Focal Tachycardia in Patients with Prior Pulmonary Vein Isolation: A Tale of Two Atria.

We report on three patients with prior pulmonary vein isolation who presented with atrial tachycardia/atrial flutter. During electrophysiology study, the whole tachycardia cycle length was mapped to the left atrium. Multiple ablation attempts failed to terminate the tachycardia and, subsequently, right atrial mapping revealed a focal early site of origin near the superior vena cava-right atrial junction in two patients and outside the coronary sinus ostium in one patient.

A Case of Biatrial-dependent Tachycardia.

We present an interesting case of atrial flutter in a patient with previous pulmonary vein isolation. The entirety of the atrial flutter cycle length was mapped to the left atrium; however, an atrial flutter could not be terminated from the left side. Subsequently, the right atrium was mapped and an area of earliest activation was noted in the junction between the superior vena cava and right atrium.

How to Achieve Near Zero Fluoroscopy During Radiofrequency Ablation of Atrial Fibrillation: A Strategy Used at Two Centers.

Radiofrequency ablation for atrial fibrillation is currently the most effective rhythm control strategy. These procedures, although safe, pose a risk for potential exposure to radiation and can be time consuming. Radiation exposure during ablation can increase the risk of serious complications in both patients as well as physicians.

A Case of Intermittent Preexcitation and Palpitations: More than Meets the Eye.

We discuss the case of a 22-year-old female who presented to the clinic experiencing recurrent palpitations. She was also found to have intermittent preexcitation on her electrocardiogram (ECG). Her palpitations were attributed to stress.

Adjuvant chemotherapy for stage III colon cancer: relative dose intensity and survival among veterans.

Background: Given the paucity of information on dose intensity, the objective of this study is to describe the use of adjuvant chemotherapy for stage III colon cancer, focusing on relative dose intensity (RDI), overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS).

Methods: Retrospective cohort of 367 patients diagnosed with stage III colon cancer in 2003-2008 and treated at 19 VA medical centers. Kaplan-Meier curves summarize 5-year OS and 3-year DFS by chemotherapy regimen and RDI, and multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression was used to model these associations.

Applied technology rounds out e-documentation.

Highlights of an electronic healthcare record include clinical reminders, progress note templates, and a clinical reference system.

A validation of the test of memory malingering in a forensic psychiatric setting.

The Test of Memory Malingering (TOMM) has not been adequately validated in a forensic psychiatric setting. Dissimulation of cognitive impairment, as assessed by the TOMM, was evaluated in a group of 25 forensic inpatients admitted for evaluation of Competency to Stand Trial (CST/MSO group), and hypothesized to be at higher risk for feigning cognitive impairment. A comparison group of 36 patients, who were either civilly committed or adjudicated Not Guilty by Reason of Insanity (CIVIL/NGRI group), were hypothesized to be less likely to feign cognitive impairment.

Scan your way to a comprehensive electronic medical record. Augment medication administration accuracy and increase documentation efficiency with bar coding technology.

As a pioneer of patient safety, the Department of Veterans Affairs continues to develop a variety of computerized tools to reduce medication errors.