Background and Purpose-Although atrial fibrillation is the most frequent cause of cardioembolic stroke, this arrhythmia remains underdiagnosed, as it is often asymptomatic or intermittent and, thus, may not be detected on standard 12-lead ECG or even 24-hour ECG recording (Holter). In this study, we hypothesized that 7-day ambulatory ECG monitoring using an event-loop recording (ELR) device would detect otherwise occult episodes atrial fibrillation and flutter (AF) after acute stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA). Methods-One hundred forty-nine consecutive patients admitted to our neurology department with an acute stroke or TIA were systematically screened for emboligenic arrhythmias using standard ECG. In the absence of AF on standard ECG, patients underwent 24-hour ECG recording (Holter), which was followed by a 7-day ambulatory ECG monitoring (ELR) in patients with a normal Holter. Patients with previously documented persistent AF, with primary hemorrhagic stroke, or with acute large vessel dissection were not included in the study. Results-AF was detected in 22 patients. Standard ECG identified AF in 2.7% of the cases at admission (4/149 patients) and in 4.1% of remaining patients within 5 days (6/145). Holter disclosed AF in 5% of patients with a normal standard ECG (7/139 patients), whereas ELR detected AF in 5.7% of patients with a normal standard ECG and normal Holter (5/88 patients). Conclusions-Following acute stroke or TIA, ELR identified patients with AF, which remained undetected with standard ECG and with Holter. ELR should, therefore, be considered in every patient in whom a cardioembolic mechanism is suspected.

BackgroundMigration of Latin Americans to the USA, Canada and Europe has modified Chagas disease distribution, but data on imported cases and on risks of local transmission remain scarce. We assessed the prevalence and risk factors for Chagas disease, staged the disease and evaluated attitudes towards blood transfusion and organ transplant among Latin American migrants in Geneva, Switzerland.Methodology/Principal FindingsThis cross-sectional study included all consecutive Latin American migrants seeking medical care at a primary care facility or attending two Latino churches. After completing a questionnaire, they were screened for Chagas disease with two serological tests (Biomérieux ELISA cruzi; Biokit Bioelisa Chagas). Infected subjects underwent a complete medical work-up. Predictive factors for infection were assessed by univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis.1012 persons (females: 83%; mean age: 37.2 [SD 11.3] years, Bolivians: 48% [n = 485]) were recruited. 96% had no residency permit. Chagas disease was diagnosed with two positive serological tests in 130 patients (12.8%; 95%CI 10.8%–14.9%), including 127 Bolivians (26.2%; 95%CI 22.3%–30.1%). All patients were in the chronic phase, including 11.3% with cardiac and 0.8% with digestive complications. Predictive factors for infection were Bolivian origin (OR 33.2; 95%CI 7.5–147.5), reported maternal infection with T. cruzi (OR 6.9; 95%CI 1.9–24.3), and age older than 35 years (OR 6.7; 95%CI 2.4–18.8). While 22 (16.9%) infected subjects had already donated blood, 24 (18.5%) and 34 (26.2%) considered donating blood and organs outside Latin America, respectively.ConclusionsChagas disease is highly prevalent among Bolivian migrants in Switzerland. Chronic cardiac and digestive complications were substantial. Screening of individuals at risk should be implemented in nonendemic countries and must include undocumented migrants.

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is a heterogeneous autosomal dominant cardiac disorder with a prevalence of 1 in 500. Over 450 different pathogenic mutations in at least 16 genes have been identified so far. The large allelic and genetic heterogeneity of HCM requires high-throughput, rapid, and affordable mutation detection technologies to efficiently integrate molecular screening into clinical practice. We developed a custom DNA resequencing array that contains both strands of all coding exons (160), splice-site junctions, and 5'UTR regions of 12 genes that have been clearly implicated in HCM (MYH7, MYBPC3, TNNT2, TPM1, TNNI3, MYL3, MYL2, CSRP3, PLN, ACTC, TNNC1, and PRKAG2). We analyzed a first series of 38 unrelated patients with HCM (17 familial, 21 sporadic). A total of 953,306 bp across the 38 patients were sequenced with a mean nucleotide call rate of 96.92% (range: 93-99.9%). Pathogenic mutations (single nucleotide substitutions) in MYH7, MYBPC3, TNNI3, and MYL3 (six known and six novel) were identified in 60% (10/17) of familial HCM and 10% of sporadic cases (2/21). The high-throughput HCM resequencing array is the most rapid and cost-effective tool for molecular testing of HCM to date; it thus has considerable potential in diagnostic and predictive testing, and prognostic stratification.

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Morbidly obese, normoglycaemic and normotensive young women have increased HR and low HRV, indicating an abnormal cardiac autonomic function and representing a risk factor for adverse cardiovascular events. A decrease of HRV parameters is associated with a progressive increase of body FM. Other metabolic and hormonal factors, characterising obesity, do not show an independent influence on these HRV alterations.