Acquiring and quantifying LAA A(M) contraction velocity is feasible on TTE in a high percentage of patients and correlates with TEE. LAA A(M) was lower in AF compared with sinus rhythm, with spontaneous echo contrast compared to without spontaneous echo contrast, and in AF patients with a history of stroke or TIA. Those with LAA thrombus had the lowest LAA A(M) velocities. LAA A(M) is a novel functional parameter that may prove useful for risk stratification of AF.

In subbasal HCM, pts with severe symptoms have midventricular hypertrophy, with encroachment of the LV cavity and consequent very small LV volumes that may be complicated by mid-LV obstruction. Pts with mid-LV hypertrophy are more symptomatic than those with apical HCM, are often refractory to therapy, and have higher mortality.

BackgroundEven though the caesarean section is an essential component of comprehensive obstetric and newborn care for reducing maternal and neonatal mortality, there is a lack of data regarding caesarean section rates, its determinants and health outcomes among tribal communities in India.ObjectiveThe aim of this study is to estimate and compare rates, determinants, indications and outcomes of caesarean section. The article provides an assessment on how the inequitable utilization can be addressed in a community-based hospital in tribal areas of Gujarat, India.MethodProspectively collected data of deliveries (N = 19923) from April 2010 to March 2016 in Kasturba Maternity Hospital was used. The odds ratio of caesarean section was estimated for tribal and non-tribal women. Decomposition analysis was done to decompose the differences in the caesarean section rates between tribal and non-tribal women.ResultsThe caesarean section rate was significantly lower among tribal compared to the non-tribal women (9.4% vs 15.6%, p-value < 0.01) respectively. The 60% of the differences in the rates of caesarean section between tribal and non-tribal women were unexplained. Within the explained variation, the previous caesarean accounted for 96% (p-value < 0.01) of the variation. Age of the mother, parity, previous caesarean and distance from the hospital were some of the important determinants of caesarean section rates. The most common indications of caesarean section were foetal distress (31.2%), previous caesarean section (23.9%), breech (16%) and prolonged labour (11.2%). There was no difference in case fatality rate (1.3% vs 1.4%, p-value = 0.90) and incidence of birth asphyxia (0.3% vs 0.6%, p-value = 0.26) comparing the tribal and non-tribal women.ConclusionSimilar to the prior evidences, we found higher caesarean rates among non-tribal compare to tribal women. However, the adverse outcomes were similar between tribal and non-tribal women for caesarean section deliveries.

The shape of Doppler velocity tracings in obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy offers insights into its pathophysiology. Inflection points are the points on a curve where its shape changes from concave to convex, or vice versa. These dynamic systolic abnormalities are caused: 1) by the amplifying nature of the obstruction; and 2) by the adverse effect of the sudden imposition of afterload in midsystole. The midsystolic drop in left ventricular ejection velocities and the premature termination of longitudinal shortening are compelling evidence of the deleterious mechanical effect of obstruction on the ventricle. This dynamic systolic dysfunction, demonstrated on the Doppler curves, may contribute to heart failure symptoms and adverse outcome. In outflow obstruction, these abnormalities normalize after abolition of gradient. Therefore, their detection in an individual patient confirms obstruction as a therapeutic target.

Flushing of the GSV tunnel with bupivacaine plus adrenaline significantly reduces postoperative pain and haematoma formation in patients undergoing GSV stripping for varicose veins.

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Despite many advances in internal fixation, angle fracture remains among the most difficult and unpredictable fracture to treat compared with those of other areas of the mandible. Large number of studies on mandibular angle fracture treatment attests to the fact that no single approach has been shown to be ideal, and that treatment of mandibular angle fractures remains conceptually controversial, with a bothersome complication rate. During the past decade, significant attention has been placed on variety of plate fixations for mandibular angle fractures.1-14 Fixation using miniplates has been shown to simplify surgery and reduce surgical morbidity, but failed to surpass the predictability of rigid fixation. 15-18Although there have been several studies on linear and curvilinear plates for mandibular fracture fixation, only a few reports on the use of low profile three-dimensional (3D) strut or mesh plates are reported in the literature. 1,6 In fact, majority of studies on 3D strut plates are in vitro biomechanical studies. The geometry of 3D strut plate conceptually allows for an increased number of screws, stability in 3D, and resistance against torque forces while maintaining a low profile and malleability. The 2.0-mm titanium 3D curved angle strut plate allows for almost no movement at the superior and inferior borders with manual torsional and bending forces, as opposed to when a single linear plate is applied to the superior border area. When only one linear plate is placed at the superior border, torsional and bending forces usually cause movement along the axis of the plate with buccal-lingual splaying and gap formation at the inferior border, respectively. Because the Keywords ► angle fracture ► mandibular angle ► rigid fixation ► 3D plates ► curved strut plate AbstractThe aim of the study was to evaluate the efficacy and complication rate with use of 2.0-mm titanium three-dimensional (3D) curved angle strut plate for mandibular angle fractures. Twenty cases requiring internal fixation of the mandibular angle by 2.0-mm titanium 3D curved angle strut plates were evaluated. Postoperative clinical and radiological analyses were done on 1st, 2nd, 4th, and 6th weeks, which included wound healing, transmitted movements, difficulty in function and occlusion, and neurosensory changes, if any. Reasonable level of success in terms of immediate jaw function was noted in all cases. Transient inferior alveolar nerve dysfunction was observed in three cases, which recovered gradually in 2 months, and surgical site infection was observed in two cases, which resolved with appropriate course of antibiotics and wound care. Fixation of mandibular angle fractures with a 2.0-mm titanium 3D curved angle strut plate is predictable, expeditious, and has less complication rate.