The Canadian journal of cardiology
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There is evidence that the addition of nonstandard electrocardiographic (ECG) leads results in significant increases in sensitivity for the diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction compared with the standard 12-lead ECG. ⋯ This study suggests most cardiologists and emergency physicians in British Columbia are aware of 18-lead ECG diagnostic criteria for acute right ventricular and posterior wall myocardial infarction. Furthermore, these physicians would be willing to use this tool if it were to increase diagnostic sensitivity for acute myocardial infarction. Despite these findings, only the minority of surveyed physicians use this tool regularly.
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To determine the incidence and risk factors for delirium after coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery. ⋯ Delirium in the elderly after CABG surgery is common. Its occurrence may be predisposed by a history of a stroke and precipitated by a longer duration of CPB.
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Case Reports
Dilated cardiomyopathy as a first sign of nutritional vitamin D deficiency rickets in infancy.
A five-month-old boy presented with severe dilated cardiomyopathy, requiring intravenous inotropes as part of the initial management. He was found to have hypocalcemia due to vitamin D deficiency rickets. His cardiac function recovered completely after six months of vitamin D supplementation.
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To determine the profile of patients presenting to the medical emergency ward with cardiac tamponade. ⋯ Tuberculosis ranked as the most common cause of cardiac tamponade in Northern India, followed by malignancy. Therapeutically, echocardiographically guided pericardiocentesis for cardiac tamponade is a safe and effective procedure. For those with recurrent pericardial effusions, catheter pericardial drainage is a safe option until the underlying cause can be treated or surgery planned.
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Review Comparative Study
Current status of transmyocardial laser revascularization: review of the literature.
Transmyocardial laser revascularization (TMLR) is a new procedure for the treatment of angina pectoris in which high power laser energy is used to create channels in ischemic myocardium. ⋯ At present, TMLR is potentially indicated for patients with severe angina that is refractory to medical therapy and who have contraindications for the more traditional therapies (coronary artery bypass grafting, percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty and transplantation). More data are needed to evaluate fully the indications for this procedure.