The influence of pad position for DCC of AF may be less pertinent with ICB waveforms than with monophasic waveforms.

First-shock success was significantly higher, particularly in patients with a BMI >25 kg/m(2), when a non-escalating initial 200 J energy was selected. The overall success, duration of procedure and amount of sedation administered, however, did not differ significantly between the two protocols.

The signal-averaged ECG and left ventricular ejection fraction are each independently predictive of arrhythmic events after myocardial infarction, but the Holter ECG is not. A combination of clinical and investigative variables, including the signal-averaged ECG, best identifies patients at highest risk.

No abstract

In 84 patients with acute myocardial infarction, administration of 100 mg of double-bolus (2 x 50 mg) alteplase, aspirin and heparin is associated with remarkably high early infarct-related coronary artery patency rates (TIMI flow grade 3) of 86% and 88%, respectively, at 60 and 90 min.

No abstract

Direct access exercise electrocardiography for patients with suspected ischaemic heart disease is safe, feasible, and helpful to general practitioners. This service seems to reduce the number of patients referred to cardiology outpatient clinics and to facilitate the management of these patients in the community.

No abstract