Heart rhythm : the official journal of the Heart Rhythm Society
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study
Continuation of warfarin during pacemaker or implantable cardioverter-defibrillator implantation: a randomized clinical trial.
Management of oral anticoagulation in patients undergoing pacemaker (PPM) or implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) implantation remains controversial. Prior studies demonstrate that continuation of warfarin may be safer when compared with strategies requiring interruption and/or heparin bridging. Limited data from randomized trials exist. ⋯ While the results were not statistically significant, there was a trend toward reduced complications in patients randomized to warfarin continuation. This strategy should be considered in patients undergoing PPM or ICD implantation.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study
General anesthesia reduces the prevalence of pulmonary vein reconnection during repeat ablation when compared with conscious sedation: results from a randomized study.
Radiofrequency catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation can be performed under general anesthesia or conscious sedation at the physician's preference. ⋯ The use of general anesthesia is associated with higher cure rate with a single procedure, and it seems to reduce the prevalence of PV reconnection observed at the time of repeat ablation.
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Comparative Study
Value of the signal-averaged electrocardiogram in arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy/dysplasia.
Arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy/dysplasia (ARVC/D) is an inherited disease that causes structural and functional abnormalities of the right ventricle (RV). The presence of late potentials as assessed by the signal-averaged electrocardiogram (SAECG) is a minor task force criterion. ⋯ Using 1 of 3 SAECG criteria contributed to increased sensitivity and specificity for the diagnosis of ARVC/D. This finding is incorporated in the recent modification of the task force criteria.