scholarly journals Closed Chest Convergent Epicardial–Endocardial Ablation of Non-paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation – A Case Series and Literature Review

2013 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 65 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amit J Thosani ◽  
Paul Gerczuk ◽  
Emerson Liu ◽  
William Belden ◽  
Robert Moraca ◽  
...  

The closed chest convergent procedure is a multidisciplinary approach to atrial fibrillation (AF) treatment. Epicardial posterior left atrial (PLA) ablation is performed by a cardiac surgeon using a transdiaphragmatic endoscope, immediately followed by percutaneous pulmonary vein (PV) isolation performed by a cardiac electrophysiologist. Interim outcomes for the treatment of non-paroxysmal AF (NPAF) were evaluated based on peri-procedural safety and complications, freedom from recurrent AF, and need for cardioversion or repeat catheter ablation at three, six and 12 months post-procedure. A total of 43 patients (86 % NPAF) underwent the convergent procedure. Patients were 84 % male, with mean age 58.6 ± 8.7 years. Mean AF duration was 45.4 ± 40.3 months. Pre-procedure left atrium (LA) volumetric data using cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or computed tomography (CT) was available for 30 patients (70 %). Average LA volume was 155.5 ± 48.4 millilitres (ml); two-thirds of patients had a LA volume >130 ml. There was no operative or peri-operative mortality. Sinus rhythm (SR) was recorded at three months in 31 of 39 (79 %) patients, at six months in 24 of 27 (89 %) patients and at 12 months in nine patients. The convergent procedure is a safe and effective option for both PV isolation and PLA substrate ablation in NPAF patients. Long-term follow-up is required and randomised clinical trials warranted.

2018 ◽  
Vol 64 (2) ◽  
pp. 253-255
Author(s):  
Oleg Kit ◽  
Yevgeniy Kolesnikov ◽  
Roman Myagkov ◽  
Leonid Kharin ◽  
Yevgeniya Nepomnyashchaya

Most of melanomas of the gallbladder are metastatic lesions of cutaneous melanoma. Primary melanomas of the gallbladder are described as single, polypoid, intraluminal masses emanating from the mucous membrane. The most important characteristic is the absence of melanoma damage to the skin. If it is not possible to localize primary melanoma a multidisciplinary approach to diagnostic search comes to the fore. Predicting for primary melanoma of the gallbladder is a difficult task due to the small number of cases and the absence of long-term follow-up for this category of patients.


Author(s):  
Liana Tripto-Shkolnik ◽  
Yair Liel ◽  
Naama Yekutiel ◽  
Inbal Goldshtein

AbstractDenosumab discontinuation is associated with rapid reversal of bone turnover suppression and with a considerable increase in fracture risk, including a risk for multiple vertebral fractures (MVF). Long-term follow-up of patients who sustained MVF after denosumab discontinuation has not been reported. This case-series was aimed to provide a long-term follow-up on the management and outcome of denosumab discontinuers who initially presented with multiple vertebral fractures. Denosumab discontinuers were identified from a computerized database of a large healthcare provider. Baseline and follow-up clinical, laboratory, and imaging data were obtained from the computerized database and electronic medical records. The post-denosumab discontinuers MVF patients consisted of 12 women aged 71±12. Osteoporotic fractures were prevalent before denosumab discontinuation in 6 of the patients. The majority received bisphosphonates before denosumab. MVF occurred 134±76 days after denosumab discontinuation. The patients were followed for a median of 36.5 (IQR 28.2, 42.5) months after MVF. Two patients passed-away. Two patients suffered recurrent vertebral fractures. Following MVF, patients were treated inconsistently with denosumab, teriparatide, oral, and intravenous bisphosphonates, in various sequences. Two patients underwent vertebroplasty/kyphoplasty. This long-term follow-up of real-world patients with MVF following denosumab discontinuation reveals that management is inconsistent, and recurrent fractures are not uncommon. It calls for clear management guidelines for patients with MVF after denosumab discontinuation and for special attention to this high-risk group.


2015 ◽  
Vol 113 (01) ◽  
pp. 185-192 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chun-Cheng Wang ◽  
Cheng-Li Lin ◽  
Guei-Jane Wang ◽  
Chiz-Tzung Chang ◽  
Fung-Chang Sung ◽  
...  

SummaryWhether atrial fibrillation (AF) is associated with an increased risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE) remains controversial. From Longitudinal Health Insurance Database 2000 (LHID2000), we identified 11,458 patients newly diagnosed with AF. The comparison group comprised 45,637 patients without AF. Both cohorts were followed up to measure the incidence of deep-vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE). Univariable and multivariable competing-risks regression model and Kaplan-Meier analyses with the use of Aelon-Johansen estimator were used to measure the differences of cumulative incidences of DVT and PE, respectively. The overall incidence rates (per 1,000 person-years) of DVT and PE between the AF group and non-AF groups were 2.69 vs 1.12 (crude hazard ratio [HR] = 1.92; 95 % confidence interval [CI] = 1.54-2.39), 1.55 vs 0.46 (crude HR = 2.68; 95 % CI = 1.97-3.64), respectively. The baseline demographics indicated that the members of the AF group demonstrated a significantly older age and higher proportions of comorbidities than non-AF group. After adjusting for age, sex, and comorbidities, the risks of DVT and PE remained significantly elevated in the AF group compared with the non-AF group (adjusted HR = 1.74; 95 %CI = 1.36-2.24, adjusted HR = 2.18; 95 %CI = 1.51-3.15, respectively). The Kaplan-Meier curve with the use of Aelon-Johansen estimator indicated that the cumulative incidences of DVT and PE were both more significantly elevated in the AF group than in the non-AF group after a long-term follow-up period (p<0.01). In conclusion, the presence of AF is associated with increased risk of VTE after a long-term follow-up period.


1998 ◽  
Vol 31 ◽  
pp. 512
Author(s):  
A. Natale ◽  
E. Pisano ◽  
R. Fanolli ◽  
G. Tomassoni ◽  
A. Wolverton ◽  
...  

Dermatology ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 1-7
Author(s):  
Jurr Boer

<b><i>Background:</i></b> Patients with hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) are still often disappointed with the current treatments offered and there is a clear demand for more effective options. Since the late 1990s there has been a revival in the use of radiotherapy (RT) for different benign diseases, including HS. During the past 20 years one case series and some scattered case reports have described promising results of RT. <b><i>Objectives:</i></b> To evaluate the long-term efficacy of RT in early-stage HS. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> A postal survey-based long-term follow-up with simple factual questions of partly retrospective and partly contemporary characteristics was performed. Sixty-four patients (96 axillae), diagnosed with mild to moderate HS were irradiated with a orthovoltage unit with 100 kV, 3 mm Al or 200 kV, 0.5 Cu filtering, respectively. Four to six biweekly fractional doses ranging from 0.75 to 1 Gy up to a total dose of 6 Gy in one series, and in chronic cases followed by four daily fractions of 2 Gy up to a total dose of 14 Gy, were given. Late treatment toxicity and the rate of remission of the disease were evaluated. <b><i>Results:</i></b> The overall response rate of the survey was 64.1% with 40.6% (26/64) valid, complete questionnaires. In total, 40 axillae were irradiated in these 26 patients. After a median follow-up of 40 years (range 32–52) complete remission of the lesions occurred in 34 of the 40 sites (85%). None of the 26 patients with 40 irradiated sites reported adverse effects at the time of the survey. <b><i>Conclusions:</i></b> RT appears to be an effective treatment for early and mild HS in the majority of patients. In this case series, no side effects were reported after a median follow-up period of 40 years.


1979 ◽  
Vol 2 (5) ◽  
pp. 364-367 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Vijayanagar ◽  
D. A. Bognolo ◽  
E. Harrison ◽  
B. M. Raju ◽  
P. F. Eckstein ◽  
...  

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