The baseline data from GLORIA-AF phase 2 demonstrate that in newly diagnosed nonvalvular atrial fibrillation patients, NOAC have been highly adopted into practice, becoming more frequently prescribed than VKA in Europe and North America. Worldwide, however, a large proportion of patients remain undertreated, particularly in Asia and North America. (Global Registry on Long-Term Oral Antithrombotic Treatment in Patients With Atrial Fibrillation [GLORIA-AF]; NCT01468701).

SummaryBackground: Cocaine produces adverse cardiovascular effects, some of which cannot be explained by epicardial coronary artery disease (CAD) or spasm.Hypothesis: The hypothesis of this study was that cocaine users would have increased coronary microvascular resistance, even in the absence of recent myocardial infarction (MI), CAD, or spasm.Methods: Microvascular resistance was assessed by the corrected Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction (TIMI) frame count (cTFC) method in a consecutive series of 59 cocaine users without acute or recent MI or angiographically significant epicardial stenosis (> 50%) or spasm. The cTFCs in these patients were compared with 21 normal controls and with published normal cTFC values.Results: The cTFC was significantly elevated (by 26-54%) in cocaine users. The cTFCs in the left anterior descending (LAD), circumflex (LCx), and right coronary (RCA) arteries in cocaine users were 30.0 ± 10.9, 34.1 ± 11.5, and 28.6 ± 11.8, respectively, compared with values in normal controls of 21.3 ± 4.3 (p = 0.001), 24.4 ± 7.2 (p = 0.001), and 22.7 ± 5.1 (p = 0.04), respectively, and published normal cTFC values (all p < 0.01). An abnormally high cTFC was present in 61% of patients in the LAD, 69% in the LCx, and 47% in the RCA.

Background:The value of ultrasound enhancing agents (UEA) in patients undergoing transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) for the exclusion of left atrial appendage (LAA) thrombi prior to direct current cardioversion (DCCV) is evolving. Methods:We retrospectively identified 88 consecutive TEEs, where a commercial UEA was used during LAA interrogation. De-identified non-enhanced (pre-UEA) and enhanced cine loop images (post-UEA) from the same subjects were randomly reviewed by four expert readers in a blinded fashion. Results:In 33% of the cases, UEA use was associated with a statistically insignificant improvement in physician confidence (scale, 0-3) in determining the presence or absence of a LAA thrombus (P = 0.071). In instances where non-enhanced images yielded an uncertain interpretation or when the left atrium contained spontaneous echo contrast (SEC), UEA use was associated with an improvement in interpretive confidence in 49% (P < 0.001) and 41% of the cases (P = 0.001), respectively. Overall, the absolute rate of hypothetical decision to proceed with DCCV rose by 9% with the application of UEA (P = 0.004). In instances where non-enhanced images were interpreted with limited confidence or when SEC was present, there were absolute increases of 16% (P < 0.001) and 21% (P < 0.001) in hypothetical procession to DCCV, respectively. In cases of a combination of limited interpretive confidence and SEC, UEA use was associated with a 29% absolute increase in the rate of procession to DCCV (P < 0.001). Conclusions:In patients undergoing TEE interrogation of the LAA, the use of UEA is associated with an increase in the level of interpretive confidence and higher rates of theoretical procession to DCCV. K E Y W O R D S atrial fibrillation, contrast ultrasound, left atrial appendage thrombus, transesophageal echocardiography, ultrasound enhancing agent (UEA) | 363 DOUKKY et al.

We report our observations made clinically and by conventional radiography, ultrasound, computed tomography and MRI on a newborn full-term infant with a thrombosed patent aneurysmal ductus arteriosus of Botallo. The baby had no heart murmurs, but from the beginning of the 2nd day of life developed sinus tachycardia, especially when in a left-sided position, and dyspnoea mainly when drinking. From his 1st day of life we observed generalized muscular hypotonia and a tendency for hyperextension at neurological examination.

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