American heart journal
-
American heart journal · Oct 2012
Burden of atrial fibrillation and poor rate control detected by continuous monitoring and the risk for heart failure hospitalization.
Atrial fibrillation (AF) on electrocardiogram has been identified as a risk factor for hospitalizations in patients with heart failure (HF). We investigated whether continuous AF monitoring can identify when patients with HF are at risk for hospitalization. ⋯ Evaluation of AFb and rate control information on a monthly basis can identify patients at risk for HF hospitalization in the next 30 days.
-
American heart journal · Oct 2012
Controlled Clinical TrialImpact of access site selection and operator expertise on radiation exposure; a controlled prospective study.
Published data relating to arterial access site selection and radiation exposure during coronary procedures suggest radial access may lead to increased radiation exposure, but this is based on poorly controlled studies. We sought to measure radiation exposure to patients and operators during elective coronary angiography (CA) according to access site, with other procedure related variables controlled for. We also investigated the specific effect of operator expertise in relation to radiation exposure. ⋯ The use of TR access has no adverse effect on radiation exposure or FT for diagnostic CA, but does allow for quicker ambulation compared to TF access. The magnitude of radiation exposure is related to operator expertise for both access sites. The results of previous studies reflect the effect of uncontrolled patient and operator variables and not access site selection.