International journal of cardiology
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Previous research has demonstrated that patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) possess very little knowledge of their disease, the consequences of AF and the benefits/risks of anti-coagulant therapy. The aim of this pilot study was to examine patient's knowledge and perceptions of AF and their anticoagulant treatment before and after a brief educational intervention. ⋯ Most patients with AF possess very limited knowledge about their cardiac condition, its consequences, and how anticoagulant treatment can benefit them. This pilot study has demonstrated that a brief educational intervention with an information booklet can help to somewhat improve their knowledge about anticoagulation therapy for AF.
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Few studies evaluated systemic arterial embolism after beginning of symptoms of infective endocarditis in a large series of patients. ⋯ Embolic events were more frequently early events after beginning of symptoms of infective endocarditis. Embolic risk was higher in S. aureus endocarditis and in patients with prosthetic heart valves and vegetations on echocardiography.
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Comparative Study
Ontario score and cardiac risk during waiting for elective coronary bypass grafting.
Waiting lists for coronary bypass grafting are of major concern in several countries and prioritisation systems to the surgery have been proposed. The aim of this study was to verify the adequacy of Ontario score in predicting cardiac events during the waiting for elective coronary bypass grafting. ⋯ Ontario score showed a limited value in predicting cardiac events during the waiting for elective coronary bypass grafting. The results emphasise the need for shortening the wait in order to reduce complications in the period.